Page 21 of The Fiancé Hoax

I headed toward the foyer, where the girls were removing their shoes at Inga’s prodding.

I smiled at the chaos they created in their wake. “I'm right here, silly goose.”

“Hi, Daddy,” Lily said as I bent down to her level. She and her sister reached up to hug my neck. I picked them both up, one in each arm, and spun them around.

“Whee!” Eva squealed.

I moved to return them to their feet, but Lily clung to me. “Again!”

I spun them around again, then set them down.

“Where’s Felicity?” Lily asked.

“She had to go home,” I said.

“Aww, man,” Eva said. “I wanted to show her my room!”

Lily looked disappointed, too.

“I’m sure you’ll see her again soon.” I looked at Inga. The smile on her face was obvious, even though she was halfway hidden as she rummaged in the hall closet.

“Yay!” Lily clapped her hands.

“Now let's play airplane!” Eva shouted. “I go first because I'm older.”

Inga laughed as she put away their jackets. “You girls are going to wear your father out.”

“Okay, one round of airplane each,” I said. Both girls cheered and clapped their hands.

I picked Eva up and lifted her over my head, moving around with her as she spread her arms and legs wide like an airplane.

“Make the noises, Daddy,” Lily advised.

I made the airplane noises and the girls giggled.

Inga smiled as I set Eva back down. “You're almost too big for that, Eva.”

Eva shook her head. “No, I won't be too big until I'm at least eleven, right, Daddy?”

I laughed. “We'll have to see about that. Okay, Lily, your turn.”

I lifted her up and flew her around the room with the appropriate sound effects.

“One more time!” Lily asked.

I shook my head. “No, that's all for now. I need to talk to you girls about something. Why don't you go wait for me in the living room?”

“Okay.” Eva looked at her sister. “Race you!”

The two girls shot down the hall.

“Careful not to break anything!” Inga called after them. “They’re like two tiny bulls in a China shop,” she said to me with a laugh.

“Thanks for taking them to the park, Inga. We're good for the rest of the day. Why don't you cut out of here a little early?”

“I appreciate that, Cooper. I'll see you on Monday.” She grabbed her jacket and opened the front door.

“Sounds good. Thanks, Inga.” I shut the door behind her and took a deep breath.