Page 56 of Heartstrings & Horseshoes

Instead, I don’t say anything at all.

28

“Thanks for taking her today, I appreciate it,” Greyson says.

“It’s no trouble at all. We get along like biscuits and gravy, don’t we Harper?” Mr. Andersen says. “Let’s go find the checkers set and play a few games before we set the table.”

Harper bounds off with her pseudo grandfather. Greyson’s dad died a long time ago, and he’s got a tenuous relationship with his and Olivia’s mom, so Harper’s only consistent family is the one here at the ranch.

“How many nannies have you been through this summer, Grey?” James asks.

The family gathered for Sunday dinner. Collectively, we managed to convince Quincy and my folks to come too. Mom’s got Dad settled in the den with one of his shows. I sat with him for a bit, but I never know what to say. Mom talks to him like he’s lucid. Quincy reads to him or tells him stories. I stay until I can’t bear the silence any longer. What a shit son I am.

Reid took Quincy to see the progress on Sam’s cabin.

Delilah and Izzy are in the kitchen with Mrs. Andersen whipping up what will no doubt be an impressive spread for dinner. That leaves me on the deck for this awkward exchange.

“I don’t even know,” Greyson grumbles.

“Six,” Olivia pipes in.

“Ain’t no way it’s been six,” Greyson snaps.

“Yep, six. First was your regular nanny, Cara, when she skipped town with her boyfriend. Second was Beatrice who’d just retired from the doctor’s office. She lasted what, a week?” Olivia muses.

“Alright, you can stop,” Greyson interjects.

“Third was Sabrina from the boutique. You made her cry on her first day and she never came back. Fourth was Rochelle, Harper’s old teacher.”

“Dude, how did you lose Harper’s old teacher as a summer nanny?” James asks. Greyson locks his jaw, refusing to answer.

“She dared to bring arts and crafts to do with Harper,” Olivia says smugly.

“The house was covered in fucking glitter. That shit is the devil of craft supplies—it never goes away,” Greyson says. James is barely concealing his laughter.

“Fifth was from an agency. Greyson didn’t even let her in the house,” Olivia says.

“She was carrying a case of essential oils. No fucking way I’m letting that nonsense around Harper,” he argues.

“Oh, so is now a bad time to tell you she’s had an essential oil diffuser in her room for months? I gave it to her for her birthday, you moron,” Olivia pokes. Before he gets another word in, Olivia finishes her list.

“And six. Whoever you fired today. When I called the agency for you, I told them to send their best nanny, that cost was no object. What could she possibly have done to upset you?” Olivia asks.

Greyson presses his lips together tightly, not wanting to answer. James elbows him in the gut, eager to know what ridiculous reason Greyson found to fire his sixth nanny.

“She reorganized my kitchen,” he says.

Everyone, including me, bursts out laughing. Insults and jibes are being thrown left and right at the absurdity of it all.

“I can’t find fucking anything now!” Greyson snips.

He turns to his sister with disturbing puppy dog eyes I never want to see again.

“Livy, could you take some time off from work and help me out until the school year starts? It’s only a few weeks. I’m begging you.”

“Stop making that face. You’re creeping me out, you weirdo. I’ll make it work, and if there’s a day I can’t, I’ll plan with the Andersens,” Olivia promises.

“Thank you so mu—” Greyson’s cut off when James of all people interjects.