The Enchanting Nanny: Nannies of New York Book 4, page 1
The Enchanting Nanny
K. Sterling
Copyright © 2023 by K. Sterling
ASIN: B0BYLNH584
Art by @irisartss
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
For Roshni, Reese Ryan, and Leigh Carron. This series wouldn’t be possible without your amazing support, inspiration, and friendship.
And my deepest gratitude to Melissa. She’s carried me over the finish line again, and I am blessed to count her as a friend.
Finally, for my editor, Charles Griemsman. Thank you for helping me shine and making every book feel like a dream come true.
Content Warnings
Dear reader,
This love story is meant to be fun and filled with the promise of summer. But a few moments might be triggering for some readers. There are very brief discussions of the loss of a spouse and a child due to an accident, cancer, and death of a parent. Please take care because no reader should ever be harmed in the making of a book.
Love and happy reading,
K. Sterling
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Coming Soon!
A letter from K. Sterling
About the Author
Chapter One
Agnes Cameron had many nice things. Born into one of the wealthiest families in America, she’d been pampered and pandered to before she could speak her first words. But Agnes hadn’t had many good things in her life.
Yet.
Her name was June and she was so much better than good. Everything changed for Agnes the day they met.
Agnes’s eyes had dried out from staring at The Killian House’s front door as she waited in the foyer. After months of forms, interviews, classes, and home visits, Agnes had been approved to adopt June. A social worker was due at noon with her, but it seemed surreal, having finally reached such a big moment. Agnes could barely believe that she’d been deemed competent enough or worthy of being anyone’s mother, let alone a child as clever and as special as June.
“You’re not getting cold feet, are you?” her brother, Walker, whispered from behind her. They were waiting, along with Walker’s husband, Fin, and their triplets, Amelia, Beatrice, and Charlotte. The Killian House’s butler, Pierce, and the housekeeping staff had also gathered. The foyer was filled with excited whispers as everyone waited to welcome the newest Cameron.
Agnes shook her head and snorted. “Not at all. I’ve been ready for months, but all the home visits and interviews… You saw how long all of that took. I’m just shocked that it’s finally over,” she said, earning a sigh from Walker.
“I told you we could have found a faster, more private way to go about this.”
Agnes turned and cut her eyes at him. “And I told you, I want to do this right and find a child from this city who’s been waiting for a home.”
Plus, it didn’t seem fair to Agnes to cut the line when there were so many parents out there who deserved a child more. And she didn’t want an infant or a toddler with mysterious origins. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she found out she’d stolen someone’s child or that her child’s mother had been a victim of human trafficking. There were just too many awful possibilities and Agnes had a strong aversion to the unknown, in general.
Instead, Agnes had followed the rules for once, trusting the foster care system and remaining as emotionally detached as possible until she was certain it was truly happening. Agnes understood that as a Cameron there wouldn’t have been any barriers with a private adoption thanks to her wealth and privilege. But she assumed the foster care system had hurdles for good reasons.
She had passed, though, with the understanding that Agnes and June would be living at The Killian House temporarily until their new home on East 63rd Street was completed. Many of the approved renovations were underway, but Agnes had put a number of major design decisions on hold until she knew who her child was.
Agnes had had a beautiful glimpse of June during their first meeting. Mary Wilson’s foster home had looked like all the other rowhouses on the street, but it might have been the loudest house in Harlem. Not loud in an aggressive or disturbing way, though. Pop music had blared from an upstairs window with someone banging on a piano’s keys in one of the front rooms. A trio of young boys with neon water guns chased each other around the side of the house.
The occasional laugh or shout had come from the backyard or inside, adding to the buzzing, hive-like energy. It was far from the orderly calm of The Killian House, yet Agnes was drawn to the warmth and the tight little community she sensed behind the faded front door as she climbed the stoop.
“We keep things pretty relaxed and casual around here, as you can see,” Mary had informed Agnes as she was given a tour of the downstairs common rooms. “Most of the kids are out back, including June, but they’re playing Just Dance upstairs if you’re in the mood to work up a sweat.”
“I think I’ll start out back,” Agnes said quietly, earning a nod from Mary. Agnes had already selected June for possible adoption, and Mary had suggested that it would be best if their first meeting was informal. She explained that there would be less pressure and June would act naturally if the kids all assumed Agnes was there to check on Mary or to observe conditions inside the house.
“The kids are used to social workers or doctors and students dropping in for visits,” Mary said. “Take your time and give me a shout if you have any questions.”
Agnes ducked her head. “Thanks, I will,” she said, then made her way down the hall to the back door. She heard more laughter from the backyard and was smiling as she eased the door open and leaned around it to get a look. The narrow yard was littered with balls and there was a chunky plastic slide and a set of swings. Half a dozen children ranging from older toddlers to a young boy Agnes assumed was eleven or twelve were playing in the yard.
But Agnes’s gaze caught on the little girl sitting on the back steps. She was wearing overalls and hugged a notebook as she watched the other children. Agnes cleared her throat softly and carefully sat down next to her.
“Hi. I’m Agnes. You look like you know what’s going on around here,” she said, earning a quick nod from the girl. Her sleek black hair had been cut into an adorable bob that swung around her jaw. She had warm, tawny-colored skin and Agnes was momentarily trapped in her big brown eyes. They were quick and bright as the girl sized Agnes up. She must have decided that Agnes was safe because she scooted closer after taking a quick look around.
“My name is June. I’ve been here almost as long as Josiah and I can always tell who’s getting a home when new parents come to visit.”
“You can?” Agnes asked and the girl offered her a much firmer nod.
“I’ve been right the last four times.” June’s neck stretched while she searched the yard, then pointed at a tiny Black girl by the swings. She was wearing a pink shirtdress and matching leggings and her hair was braided with little pink ribbons. “That’s Joy. She’s the youngest, but she can already read and she’s easy, she never gives Ms. Mary any trouble.”
“I see…” Agnes’s brows jumped. Joy looked like she was only three or four. “What about you?” She asked, but June’s lips twisted before she shook her head.
“I can read high school books and I never get in trouble, but I’m too old now. I’m eight.”
Agnes stifled a groan and covered it with a thoughtful hum. They were sharing an unguarded moment because June didn’t think Agnes was a prospective parent. “Is that so?”
“Yeah. People usually want a baby boy or a little girl who's close to a baby, but not as much work as a baby. I’m small, but I’m already eight so I’ll probably stick around and help Ms. Mary until I’m old enough to go out on my own.”
“Oh?” Agnes had to blink back tears. “And what do you think you’d like to do once you’re old enough to go out on your own?”
“I’m gonna be a foster mom like Ms. Mary so more kids like me can have a home and I want to read books.”
“That’s—” Agnes’s voice caught and she coughed, her heart aching over June’s selflessness. “For a living? Or as a hobby?”
That earned another shrug and June’s face scrunched. “I haven’t decided yet, but I can read really fast and reading’s my favorite thing in the world.”
“I think it might be mine too… Or art,” Agnes murmured, her eyes narrowing as she thought back through her recent reads. Unfortunately, Agnes couldn’t think of any that might interest June. “I’ve been reading a lot of memoirs lately myself.”
“Oh! Me too!”
“Have you read Percy Jackson?” June asked excitedly, forgetting the other kids in the yard as she turned and focused all her attention on Agnes. Her brown eyes grew brighter and glittered with excitement. Agnes had clearly found the key to this particular child’s heart. And it was thrilling for Agnes to have found it so quickly and easily. She wasn’t feigning her own excitement as she leaned in closer.
Agnes shook her head. “No, is it any good?”
“It’s a whole series! There are seven books and I have all of them. You can borrow The Lightning Thief. I’ll go get it!” June said abruptly, then scrambled to her feet. Agnes rose and leaned against the railing as she watched the girl race back into the house.
“Okay… I’ll wait here.”
“Slow down, June! Where’s the fire?” Mary asked as she joined Agnes on the back stoop. She was shaking her head and laughing. “That girl… Let me guess, she wants to show you a book.”
“The Lightning Thief. She’s loaning it to me,” Agnes supplied and Mary looked impressed.
“She must like you. That book is June’s most prized possession.” She gave Agnes a loaded look, then checked to make sure no one was in listening distance. “You make sure she gets it back if you leave here with it. Or else I’m going to have to hunt you down.” She teased.
“You feel free to hunt me down if you need anything at all, Ms. Wilson,” Agnes said as she opened her pocketbook and took out a card. She’d have her assistant send a contractor over to see to anything that needed repairing or replacing. Agnes was ready to die for Mary Wilson and vowed that Mary and her kids would want for nothing from now on. “And I’ve made up my mind. I don’t need another visit. I’d like to tell June and see if she’d like to be my daughter. If you think she’s ready,” she added quietly and hopefully.
“Oh. I’ve known this was coming for a few weeks, but it still feels fast!” Mary looked slightly dazed. “And you’re sure that June…” Her voice trailed off and Mary’s eyes shimmered as she looked back toward the stairs.
“Why? Is there something—?” Agnes began but Mary shook her head quickly.
“No. She’s a wonderful child and I couldn’t be happier.” Mary’s lip quivered and she had pushed out a hard, shaking breath. “I’m just going to miss her so damn much!” She had whispered, then had sworn at herself as she had fanned her watering eyes. “It’s the most amazing feeling, seeing one of these kiddos find a good home. And I’ve wanted this so badly for June. She’s a brilliant child and she’s always making me laugh. I just love her so much and I’m really going to miss her.”
“I can tell that she’s special and I promise, there’s nothing I won’t do to give June the best life possible.” Agnes had given Mary’s hand a squeeze, hoping to reassure her. “You’re always welcome to check on June whenever you’re missing her.”
Mary’s smile widened and she laughed softly. “You’re a lot nicer and more…normal than I was expecting when I heard you were coming and saw the limo,” she admitted with an apologetic cringe. “And I can tell that June’s going to be happy with you. I wasn’t expecting you to make up your mind so quickly, but I think you two are going to fit really well together. June’s smart and the good kind of sassy, and so are you from all I’ve heard and seen here.”
“Thank you,” Agnes replied. “I think so too. I’m not one to dither once I’ve made up my mind, but I don’t think I’ve ever fallen in love with anyone this quickly.”
June stole Agnes’s heart again when she raced back into the kitchen with a bundle of books. “I brought all seven in case you really like The Lightning Thief. You look like you might be too busy to come back for a while and I didn’t want you to have to wait.” She huffed breathlessly and rose on her toes as she handed the stack of dog-eared books to Agnes. “You have to promise to bring them back because they’re my favorites.”
Mary and Agnes traded watery smiles. “What if you kept them and we read them together?” Agnes asked as she bent and tipped back June’s face so she could see her eyes. “Because I was hoping you’d like to come and live with me.”
“I didn’t know you were here for one of us,” June said to Agnes, then looked up at Mary. “Can I go live with this lady?”
“Do you think you’d like that?” Mary asked and June nodded as her big brown eyes swung back to Agnes.
“She’s nice and she seems like she has a lot of books.”
A laugh burst from Agnes. “I have so many books and you’re going to help me collect more. Our new home is almost ready and we’re going to fill it with books.”
“Really?” June whispered as her eyes grew even bigger.
“Really,” Agnes vowed. She didn’t want to overwhelm June, but Agnes would buy her any and every book her heart desired.
June gasped and spun to Mary. “I’m getting a home and there’s gonna be books!”
“And a mommy!” Mary added.
“A mommy?” June repeated, her features going slack as she blinked up at Agnes. “You want to be my mommy?”
“Of course!” Agnes nodded, too overcome to articulate how deeply she wanted to be the one to love and protect June. It felt like a privilege to be entrusted with any child, but June had become precious to Agnes in just a handful of moments. “I’d be honored to be your mother if you think you’d like that. It might be just you and me because I haven’t found a grownup I want to share my life with,” Agnes warned. “But I have a lovely brother and three little nieces who are just a bit older than you who can’t wait to welcome you to the family.”
“I would like that a lot,” June said, sniffling hard as tears filled her eyes.
“Good.” Agnes straightened and offered June her hand. “Because I can’t think of anything that would make me happier than to be your mommy.”
They still had to wait and it had taken almost a week before the final paperwork was signed and June was legally Agnes’s daughter. All the hurdles had been worth it, though, and June was on her way. She was utterly perfect and Agnes vowed she’d do whatever it took to give June a perfect life.
Agnes wanted to squeal, she was so excited. Instead of piggybacking and cherry-picking from the best parts of Walker’s life, she was finally creating her own family. She wasn’t sure if she would ever be ready or if she even deserved something that good, but Walker and Fin had been a wake-up call for Agnes.
Watching her widowed brother get a second chance at happily ever after with his nanny proved that it wasn’t too late to find happiness. Walker had come back from the death of his beloved Connor and saved his family just before turning fifty. Agnes was nearly fifty-two and had lived a charmed life, not counting a few romantic stumbles. She figured it was time she grew up and got her act together as well.
And she could see the writing on the wall. Walker and the triplets had been the only good things in Agnes’s life and they were moving on. She could still glom onto their happiness by lurking at The Killian House until the girls went off to college. But they would need her less and less until Agnes was just Walker’s clingy, eccentric spinster sister.
She shuddered and gagged at the thought. Agnes Cameron would not be pitied and she would not become the butt of New York society’s jokes. If anything, Agnes hoped to be feared and avoided like Muriel Hormsby. The old dragon had been a thorn in many an eligible bachelor’s side lately and she certainly knew how to dress the part. The last time they had crossed paths was at a fundraising gala. Muriel was wearing a gorgeous peacock-patterned velvet cloak and turban ensemble, complete with feathers and dripping with emeralds.
