Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

That evening, after a warm family dinner, I settled into the Cedillo family's guest room. Having a guest was a rare event, so Mia and Molly buzzed with excitement. Watching them, Naomi couldn't help smiling too. "Aimee, I hear your coffee shop is famous! I actually have a little café myself. Next time, I'll have the girls bring you by to try my coffee."

Aimee laughed. "Naomi, just call me Aimee. That coffee shop was all my husband's idea he insisted I start a business to 'build character.""

Molly jumped in, "Why'd he push you like that?"

Aimee shrugged. "Family business. He wanted me to take over."

Molly's eyes lit up like she'd found a soulmate, and she set down her fork. "Same here."

Aimee grinned. "Your husband too? Not exactly a-" She stopped mid-sentence as Seth started coughing pointedly.noveldrama

She shot a look at the guy sitting next to Jade. "Not exactly the easiest guy to live with, huh?"

Mia piped up, "Honestly, my husband isn't exactly a walk in the park, either."

Across the table, Andre and Chad met eyes, both silently agreeing their wives were calling them out in their own way.

After dinner, everyone turned in early-the long flight had sapped their energy.

The next morning, as someone called upstairs for the girls to come down for breakfast, Naomi said, “The girls all disappeared early this morning."

She wasn't even fully awake herself when her two daughters, who usually loved to sleep in, knocked on her door. "Naomi, we're heading out to play!"

For the first time ever, Officer Chad found his wife up before him. He stepped outside and bumped into his brother-in-law, both of them temporarily solo. "Andre, are they always this hyped?"

Andre, already thinking of the upcoming Silent Ring tournament, shrugged. "Honestly, it's good they're excited. Beats them worrying about other stuff."

No one worried much about where the kids had gone that morning. Hansen called Seth to breakfast, rounded up Grandpa Elmer, and then headed to the Moll family's house. At every stop, he picked up another grandparent, and soon the place was alive with the laughter of old friends.

The girls spent the morning at one spot and moved on to another in the afternoon.

At lunchtime, they hit up Majestic Dining Enclave, and later, Naomi's café.

Suddenly, Cooper called. "Hey sis, can you bring Henry home for a sec?"

"What's up?"

"I bought him something."

That night, they headed over to the Irvin family's place. "This is my parents' house. C'mon in-they should be around."

As soon as Mia got to the yard, she shouted, "Mom, Dad, I'm home! And I brought a new friend!"

Madison, resting her chin in her hand, smiled at her husband. "Your daughter's back again."

"Grandma, Grandpa!" Henry called out.

Madison jumped up. "Oh, my little guy's here too!"

The yard was still scattered with Henry's toys. Just as they stepped outside Madison spotted them. "Sweetie's here too-and you brought another little one!" She hurried over, all smiles.

Inside, everyone got introduced. Their guest was the richest

one

in the country Aaron had met

heard

stones and greeted her warmly.

Mia called out, "Cooper! Where are you?"

Madison answered, "He just ran out-no clue where he went. Were you looking for him?"

"Yeah, he told me to come home," Mia said.

A few minutes later, the front door opened. "Henry! Come see what your uncle got you this time!"

Henry tore out to the porch, his eyes lighting up at the sight of a shiny, kid-sized race car. "Cooper!"

Wayne saw the car too. Cooper

scooped him up. "Don't worry, sweetie. Whatever your cousin Henry gets, Uncle's got you covered.

Next year when you're ruco

ning

around, I'll get you one too."