Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Once Henry was driving smoothly, Cooper let Wayne and Jared each have a turn riding shotgun, soaking up the thrill. With Cooper leading the pack, the backyard echoed with the kids' laughter. Even Jared-usually the quiet, serious one-was grinning from ear to ear.

Aimee stood at the window, watching them. "Mrs. Cedillo, does your brother need some cash?"

"For what?"

"I'm thinking of hiring him to teach my son. Name your price."

After hanging out at the Irvin house for a while and with Henry's new toy staying put-they got ready to head out. Mia said, "When your brother-in-law gets here, he can pick it up and take it home."

So off they went again.

Henry, of course, didn't want to leave. He was about two seconds away from throwing himself on the ground in protest, but after a few well-placed pats from his mom, he gave up and let himself be carried to the car with only a sulky look.

That night, three women, three kids, and three strollers meandered through the night market.

legs, didn't he? He wanted to walk. But his mom wasn't about to let him run wild, so she struck a deal. "If you sit nicely, I'll buy you a fruit

the stroller bar, bright eyes blinking as he thought it over. He remembered something about "spankings" in the negotiation. Seeing his mom's outstretched hand, he

"Deal."

his fruit tea with both hands- even though his hands were too small for the cup. He lounged in his stroller like a little king,

found a

"Patrick I'm at the night market eating noodles

worried on the other end. "Don't cause too

and the new

snorted. "Me? If

astray it's

They've practically emptied the

I haven't even gotten a taste

sigh. "Competing isn't a good look, you know." She hung up, and the three moms and their three munchkins dug

17.

caught a whiff of the food and opened his mouth wide for a bite. His mom fed him. Wayne wanted some too, but