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It was a long way from my own family history.

But if things worked out, the better dynamics ofCami'sfamily just might rub off on my own household.

And soon, they did.

This should've have been a good thing. And it was, especially for Willow. But the longer Cami stayed at my house, the more I wasn't so sure about the rest of it.

Cami might be good for Willow. But as the days turned into weeks, one thing became pretty damn obvious.

Shewasn'tgood forme.

Chapter 14

Cami

I was there for only a month when I started to seriously wonder if I'd made the right decision.

Things were going well.Almost too well.

I absolutely adored Willow.She was eight years old and had just started the second grade. She'd spent much of the summer going to a local day-school, where she'd gotten a good head start for the regular school year.

Or more likely, she was simplythatsmart – much like her older brother.

My boss.

My nemesis.

My growing obsession.

I didn'twantto be obsessed. But the longer I lived there, the more difficult he was to figure out. He was a total hard-ass with everyone but Willow.

When dealing withher, he seemed almost human. But when dealing with me, I wasn't sure what he was, except so cold and distant, I might've felt unwelcome, if only he weren't literally paying me to stay.

As far as Willow herself, she had long brown hair and big brown eyes, along with a smattering of freckles across her nose. She loved books, knock-knock jokes, and puzzles of all things.

At night, she devoured books the way some kids devour candy.

She was loads of fun and so eager for someone to love her, it nearly broke my heart.

Sure, she had three older brothers she obviously adored, Mason in particular. But from the first moment I'd walked into his house, it became painfully apparent that Willow had been starved for a mom – or maybe a sister, an aunt, a grandma, or even a female cousin.

She had none of these things.

Now, she had me, but that was hardly the same. I wasn't going to be here forever.Willow knew this.And why? It was because I refused to lie to her, that's why. And Mason, to his credit, didn't ask me to.

We didn't dwell on it, but we didn't hide it either. Next year, I'd surely find a teaching job, and Mason would need to find another nanny.

But for now, I was living the kind of life I never would've anticipated.

Mason's home – or more accurately, his mansion – was located on two manicured acres near the mouth of the Saginaw River, within sight of the Saginaw Bay. The house was two stories high and beyond spectacular, with beautiful views from nearly every room.

My own room, complete with its own private bathroom, was located on the second floor right next to Willow's. And even though my room didn't have a view – unless I counted a view of the long, winding driveway – it was nicer than any bedroom I'd ever had before.

On weekdays, Willow was in school until nearly three o'clock, which meant that I had a surprising amount of free time. In fact, I had so much free time, I felt almost guilty.

Watching Willow was no hardship, and I wasn't expected to do much else.

Mason had a housekeeper who did most of the cleaning, a part-time cook who did most of the cooking, and a lawn service that did everything in the yard that needed doing.