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I waited because there had to be more to it.

“And there are two rules in this house about Fridays. The first is you have to wear a crown.”

I’d been here numerous Fridays and had never been told about this.

“Oh, where is it?” I clicked my fingers. “If you’re my loyal subjects, you have to find it.” I clapped, and the girls scampered off, returning a few minutes later holding a paper crown with my name written in crayon on the front.

I plopped it on and told the three of them to bow down to me. They giggled and lay face down on the floor, and I was glad I’d mopped this morning.

Wren lifted her head. “But there’s more.”

“Not more. What’s next? You’re going to give me gold and jewels?”

Ivy gasped. “No, but that’s what pirates do.” She whispered to her sisters. “And it’s Friday, so you have to speak like a pirate. Aiden always did.”

Oh, Aiden, right. Not wanting to be outdone by the permanent manny, I asked if I was a king who pretended to be a pirate or the other way around. They shrugged.

“Aye aye, me hearties.”

The girls screwed up their faces, and Ivy put a hand over her heart. The others looked at her and did the same. And I did as well.

“I hearties you too,” the three of them chanted. They crawled over the floor, and we hugged.

“Batten down the hatches.”

“Huh?” Wren furrowed her brow.

“There’s a storm coming. Weigh anchor.” I put an arm around them. “That means the ship has to move.” The girls got in a line and started rowing motions, and I awwed at them. I didn’t have the heart to say many vessels were sailing ships, so I got behind them and we all rowed.

“Row, row, row your boat,” I sang, “gently down the stream⁠—”

“If you see a crocodile, don’t forget to scream!” The girls shrieked the last word and then screamed, their bellows echoing around the room.

And Sinclair walked in. He looked straight at me and our eyes locked on one another.

“Help us, Daddy, or our ship might sink.” Wren beckoned him closer. After a moment’s hesitation, he sat at the front and rowed with us.

“I can’t see where we’re going.” Poppy peered around Ivy.

“Don’t worry.” My boss glanced over his shoulder. “River’s at the back, so he’s the one steering.”

NINE

SINCLAIR

River and I hadn’t gotten past the talking but not saying anything stage.

We hadn’t discussed that night. It was my fault because I kept avoiding the subject whenever he was near, running off like a frightened rabbit and hunkering down in the workshop when the girls were at school. I was scared of having the discussion and him shrugging it off, saying sleeping with me was a mistake.

It was because it should never have happened, but it was the most magical night, having my mate in my arms and making love to him. But it was wrong.

“Daddy, Daddy.” Ivy was tapping my shoulder. “River’s telling a funny story.”

We had just finished dinner and the girls were giggling as River told a story about him being a dog walker and having to walk seven greyhounds who were rescued racing dogs. Their leashes got tangled and then they spotted a rat and they were off, carrying River along with them.

“He ended up in a trashcan.” Poppy was bending over and holding her tummy as she laughed.

“Face down,” Wren added.