The Billionaire And His Son Want Me Back by Juliette Vaughan

Chapter 43

Paisley glanced up at Grayson, who was standing not far away, staring blankly at a tree. She then turned to Serena and asked, "Aren't you playing with Grayson? What are you doing over here with me?" Serena pursed her lips awkwardly before replying, "I was not playing with him."

Paisley nodded, thinking, 'Oh, geez. Both of them are so stubborn.'

Serena fidgeted awkwardly for a moment before grabbing Paisley's hand and pulling her toward Grayson. They stopped in front of a tree, and Serena said, "Mom, come help us check this out."

Paisley saw that the tree wasn't particularly tall, and its leaves were still green. Hanging from its branches were long, pod-like fruits.

Serena pointed at the pods and said, "Mom, Grayson said these are green beans. Can we pick some and take them home to eat?" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she stared at the pods, already imagining them as part of Maria's green bean salad, her favorite dish.

Paisley looked at the tree and couldn't help but chuckle, "Nope, these aren't green beans."

"They're not?" Serena's disappointment was obvious.

Meanwhile, Grayson scratched his head, looking puzzled. He'd eaten green beans before, and these looked pretty similar to him.

Paisley crouched down and patiently explained to the kids, "This is a Catalpa tree. Those long pods are its fruit, and they're actually used in medicine."

scrunch up her face in

hand, looked intrigued. "What kind of

by his interest but continued, "Catalpa trees usually flower in May or June and bear fruit in October

leaves can cool fevers, detoxify, and even stop itching. The bark also has medicinal value.

hadn't expected such a plain-looking tree to have so

those little fruits?"

had called "little fruits" and chuckled. "You can eat them, but they're poisonous," Paisley replied with a teasing

exclaimed, taking a

explained further, "That's nightshade. It's another medicinal plant that helps with bruises, swelling, and detoxifying the body. But kids should never pick or eat

see," Serena said, letting out a

Serena stuck out her lower lip proudly and said, "My mom knows everything. She's practically a walking encyclopedia." The way she beamed with pride made Grayson stay quiet, unsure how to respond. Checking the time, Paisley remembered Emery mentioning that Teddy would be dropping something off soon. Paisley said, "It's

quietly followed Paisley as they walked back

*****

tree

an elm," Paisley