Page 12 of Nanny for the Mercenaries

“Are these K’nex?” I asked, pointing to a plastic tub.

“Yes,” Kaylee said very seriously. “Some of my friends play with Legos. But K’nex are better.”

She sat down on the floor, and I joined her, sitting sideways because of my skirt. The K’nex pieces were made of plastic, with thin rods that could be attached together with connector pieces.

“What do you want to build?” I asked.

“My daddies fly in planes a lot,” she explained. “I made a plane.” She held up a small triangular object made from three pieces: one connector, and two rods sticking out as wings.

“Woooow,” I said approvingly. “That’s really good!”

“It can be better,” Kaylee said simply. “Let’s build more planes. You make one, and I’ll make one.”

“I like that plan!”

We grabbed the K’nex pieces from the bin and got to work. Kaylee quietly focused on her work as she began constructing a larger, more complex plane than the one she had shown me. I watched her and tried to make mine somewhat similar, although I gave mine wings that were swept back and aerodynamic rather than straight.

“What do you think about this trip?” I asked after a few minutes of silent work.

She answered without looking up. “What trip?”

“The trip your daddies told me about. The one lasting two or three months.”

Her head shot up. “They’re going away forthree months?”There was a panicked look in her eyes, and in the blink of an eye she was on the verge of tears.

“No, it’s okay! You’re going with them!” I quickly said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She visibly relaxed. “Good. I like trips.” She held up her plane. “What do you think?”

“That’sso good,” I said, holding up my own plane. “It’s better than mine.”

“Yours is okay,” she said. “Next time, I will show you how to make it better.”

“Okay, good,” I said. “I’m a beginner, so I need help.”

Kaylee nodded. “Let’s go show my daddies!” She jumped up and ran out of the room, and I had to quickly get up and follow.

All three men were standing around the kitchen island, discussing something quietly. Harrison—the big, angry one who had practicallygrowledat me earlier—gave me another scalding glare. I tried to ignore it and held up my plane for them to examine.

“That’s a great plane!” Jordy said, bending down to kiss Kaylee on the forehead. “I’m so proud of you. You’re going to be an engineer when you grow up.”

“Is it like the plane for the trip?” Kaylee asked.

Archer blinked. “What do you mean, dearie?”

“The trip.” She pointed back at me. “Trish told me you’re going on a trip forthree months.”

I immediately knew I had made a mistake. Archer’s eyes widened in surprise, and Jordy’s mouth hung open. I tried not to look in Harrison’s direction, but I heard him exhale unhappily.

“I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to say anything,” I apologized.

“It’s my fault,” Jordy quickly said to his comrades. “I never told Trish it was a secret.”

Archer was totally focused on his daughter. “What do you think about it, dearie? You do not seem upset.”

“Of course not,” she replied. The men seemed to relax, until Kaylee added, “Because Trish told me I’m going on the trip too!”

Every pair of eyes swung toward me again. This time Harrisondidlet out a growl, like a wolf. He had a scar underneath his eye that disappeared down into his disheveled red beard, which only added to the dangerous demeanor. I began considering whether to stand my ground, or run out of the house before they had a chance to kill me.

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