“Mr. E!” Hailey shrieked and held her arms out to me. I picked her up and spun her around without thinking. I caught Caro’s scowl in my peripheral vision. Realizing my behavior might be over the top for a man who barely knew the twins, I set her down quickly. Hailey didn’t seem to notice or care. Heath, as usual, stood silently watching, almost expectant. I hesitated, briefly considering whether or not I should pick him up and spin him around. He was so much more reserved than his sister, I decided against any huge displays of affection at this point in time.

“Hey, buddy.” I winked at him and was rewarded with a lopsided grin. I was making progress.

“Mr. E! Mr. E!” Hailey tugged on my arm to get my attention.

“Call me Easton, honey.”

I turned to Caro. Her annoyance was palpable, like a living, breathing thing permeating the room with her displeasure. She glared at me over the kids’ heads.

“Easton, what a surprise.”

I heard her message loud and clear. I hadn’t called first—again. Well, fuck that. I wasn’t playing games with her. Been there, tired of that. I’d damn well drop in and see my kids if I chose to, even as I admitted my behavior might be a little childish and disrespectful of her privacy. I wasn’t winning any points with her, and perhaps that was my goal. If she hated me, she’d keep her distance.

I strolled into the living room as if I owned it, one hand on each of the twins’ backs as I guided them to the middle of the room. I shot Caro a cocky grin as I passed. The woman was going to kill me or have insanely wild sex with me. I wasn’t sure which one, though I’d put my money on death by slow torture.

“Hey, Junie, how ya doing?”

“I’m doing great.” Junie grinned at me and rose from the battered couch to hug me.

Caro fumed next to us, but we both ignored her and carried on like the old friends we were—somewhat.

“I have some great news for you guys,” I said, addressing my children.

“Oh, what is it?” Hailey jumped up and down. “Do you get me a pony, Mr. E. Did you? Did you? I’ve been a good girl, and I deserve a pony. I really do. A gray one with dapples and a long mane and tail. One that can run and jump and take me places. Please, oh, please, say you got me a pony? I love ponies. I love, love, love ponies.”

I smiled down at her. “Not that kind of news. Besides, Christmas is coming. You’ll have to wait to see what your present is.” I avoided Caro’s gaze, knowing she was seething inside and assuming I was leading her daughter on. I wasn’t. In fact, a small seed grew as I considered how I’d go about getting my daughter a pony.

“So, what is it?” Junie asked, stopping Hailey before she erupted into another lava flow of words.