“She’d make a great nanny if you ever knock one of your conquests up,” his friend, Eric said.
Harvey shook his head. “Very funny. But yeah, she’d make an excellent nanny.”
“I’m not getting along with my current nanny. Bella would be perfect. Look how great she gets along with my kids. They absolutely love her!”
Harvey looked at him. “Bella works for me, and only me.”
“I just might steal her away if I offer twice the salary you do.”
They all laughed.
“I’m going to offer her and the kids some bottled waters,” Mel said.
Harvey patted his shoulder. “I got this. You’re my guest. So relax, drink up. I got this.”
He walked over to Bella, and she grinned widely.
“Want to help us catch some fireflies?” one of the children asked.
He grinned. “I’d love to.”
The boy pointed to the clear jars with pierced lids so the bugs could breathe. “But we have to let them go when we’re done.”
“Catching fireflies is a fun summer activity.” Bella handed him a jar. When her fingers brushed against his, he felt his stomach flutter as electricity raced through him. Their eyes locked, and she shot him a radiant smile.
“How long can they live in the jar?” Harvey asked.
“A day or two,” Bella said. “But we’ll let them go tonight.”
They ran around and tried to catch the amazing bugs that lit up the dark sky.
The shrill sounds of the cicadas pierced the air while twinkling lightning bugs floated aimlessly around them as the children laughed.
Intermittent flashes in patterns blinked all around them. There were literally hundreds of them everywhere.
Harvey gently caught a firefly as it flew past him.
“It’s pretty cool to watch the fireflies dance? Isn’t it Harvey?” asked little Eddie.
“Yes. I’m having a blast,” he laughed.
“Yeah, it’s a dazzling light show. Fireflies put on a show like anywhere else,” Bella said as she caught one.
They continued catching the flying critters. Harvey laughed and played with the kids, and they all had a riot. He couldn’t remember having this much fun since he was a kid.
When Eddie tripped, Bella went to catch him; she fell into Harvey. All three of them crashed to the ground in laughter.
“Eddie had a soft landing,” Bella said with a chuckle.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to fall on you.”
“It’s okay.” Bella looked up at Harvey. “And I didn’t mean to fall into you. So sorry.”
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He laughed, and she smiled while Eddie roared in laughter. The other kids came over and playfully tackled them. He peeked over at Bella and saw her golden hair draped over her face. She moved it from her eyes with a chuckle. Her eyes were beautiful and sparkled in the moonlight as he captured her gaze with his.
The kids started a grass fight. Grass flew everywhere as Bella ducked for cover behind him. Bella couldn’t stop laughing and neither could he. It was a carefree moment. And for just one tiny second, Harvey wondered if this is what it would be like to have a family. It was a wonderful feeling.