Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

For safety's sake, Mars had Milka-his honorary goddaughter and trusty sidekick.

"Milka, when's your next day off? I'll take you to Havenbrook to meet my goddaughter from Newtown."

Milka sighed, thinking about work. "I only get one day off, and it's never enough."

Catching her disappointment, Mars's mind was already racing: Could he, as an officer, sneak his goddaughter onto a plane without a birth certificate? And how would he manage to smuggle her out of Conner's arms in Newtown all the way to Havenbrook?

"Mars? What are you daydreaming about?"

"Huh?" Mars blinked, jolted back to reality. "Oh, just pondering how to break the law without actually getting caught."

Milka just stared at him, speechless.

Summer by the lake was perfect-breezy, warm, the kind of day that made you want to do nothing but stroll and chat.

Mars and Milka walked side by side, laughing as he recounted the time his godson bawled so loudly he ended up at the police station. A whole gang of grown men got roasted by the officers before Andre finally came to bail them out.

He grinned, telling her how he used to bug Conner every day about having a daughter, and then when she finally arrived, Andre nearly turned green with envy. "Last time I was in Newtown, Asher started nagging me to have a daughter, too."

Lately, Mars had been helping his godson with homework. "It's a struggle. I've never met a kid with so many questions-every day's a new round of 'why, why, why.""

Milka burst out laughing, eyes shining. "You're making me miss little Henry. Haven't seen that chubby-cheeked troublemaker in ages."

"What time do

"Six."

building, eyes wide and a little sleepy. "Godfather, why did you

"Hey, kiddo, have I ever

wrinkled his nose, clueless. "Godfather, what's

groaned. "You little

puffed out his cheeks in

trying to coax Henry.

nodded. "You're good-you bought

down, whispering

went from confused, to lost,

get it

tongue

not thirty-how was he

in defeat. "Fine, just remember-when

does 'godmom' mean 'lazy mom'? Does

met

time I wanted that meat, but Dad only bought some for himself, not

the world rested on his smal