Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Watching his little nephew scrambling up the jungle gym, Cooper stood below, phone pressed to his ear, chatting away in a language Henry couldn't make heads or tails of.

On the other end, a man asked, half teasing, "Cooper, I speak your language too, you know. Why the secret code?"

Cooper shot his nephew a glance. "Little Henry's right here, and let's just say he's not shy about snitching on me. If I say too much, I'll find myself in hot water by dinnertime."

The man laughed. "Wait-don't tell me, is this the same kid who called my dog ugly?"

"Who else could it be?"

They kept talking in their chosen language, but Cooper's gaze never left Henry. "Cooper, I want some water!" Henry called.

Cooper grabbed his nephew's tiger-print sippy cup and made his way over.

Henry took a long drink, sweaty and tired, then flopped down next to his uncle, tilting his head to stare at Cooper's mouth. "Cooper can't talk."

Cooper snorted. "You little rascal."

Just before hanging up, Cooper asked, "Any word on Maja?"

The man replied, "Cooper, you didn't go and make enemies with the Dark Web, did you?"

his lips. "Oh, definitely. We're arch-enemies." Mess with his nephew or kidnap

strings, see if I

mine." Cooper was careful-if his brother-in-law

hear anything. Hope your little guy

"Him? Not a chance."

uncle a break-grabbed Cooper's hand, signaling

strictest tone. "Nope. One hour. You've

him up,

"Sweetie, if you're tired, you can rest, but no slacking off. Remember what we said?

lips together, snuggled for a moment, then Cooper set him back on the

to go, Henry didn't want to walk—he wanted to be carried. Cooper obliged, hefting him up.

...

At the airport.

and Molly scanned the crowd as passengers filed in from the

even remember what

Just look

an elderly man with

broke into a broad grin.

up. She