Page 130 of The Fiancé Hoax

Lily blinked at her. “Where are we going?”

“We should make sure Daddy's all ready to get married. You know how he is.” She shrugged. “He probably needs our help with something.”

I winced as the girls ran through the room to the front door in their dresses. “Don't run, girls,” I called after them. “You don't want to fall and tear that fabric.”

They slowed down and gently opened the door. I watched through the window as they went outside. They walked slowly for a few steps, but the temptation to run was too great. Soon, they broke into a sprint toward the cabin where Cooper was waiting before the wedding.

“Those kids are hilarious,” Lauren said, shaking her head.

“Don’t I know it.”

“I can see why you love them so much.”

I smiled. “The Pierces are very lovable. Especially their dad.”

Lauren zipped up her makeup bag and peered out the window. “Just look at that view.” She gazed at the mountain ridge in the distance. “This place is perfect.”

I nodded in agreement. The venue was perfect. Cooper had found a beautiful ranch just outside of Los Angeles that was rented out for weddings. It was gorgeous and scenic, with lots of tall cottonwood trees growing along a creek and sweeping views of the mountains to the north.

The ceremony would take place in a small, historic chapel that the ranch owners had restored to its full glory. Cozy, handsome cabins were dotted around the property for guests to spend the night if they chose.

Cooper and I had rented the honeymoon lodge, set off at a distance from the other buildings. From the pictures online, we’d be staying in high style while surrounded by nature for the next week. Plus, there would be plenty of opportunities for horseback riding—which delighted my inner child as much as it did Eva and Lily.

Inga would be staying with the girls in a nearby cabin while Cooper and I had some time alone. But I had a feeling we would be seeing the girls plenty during our honeymoon, and that was just fine with me.

Cooper had asked if I wanted to travel to an exotic, distant location for our honeymoon. But, honestly, I wanted to stay closer to home. And it turned out he did, too. We’d have plenty of time to travel after the baby was a little older.

For now, stability for Eva and Lily was more important. They needed to know that they wouldn’t be uprooted, and that I was in their lives for good. With each passing week, I knew they felt more secure in their attachment to me.

Lauren’s voice pulled me away from my thoughts. “I'm so proud of you, Fel.” She opened her arms to embrace me.

I hugged her, then pulled back to raise an eyebrow. “I didn’t expect you to get all mushy on me, Lauren.”

“I can get mushy with the best of them!” She laughed, then her eyes met mine. “You, my friend, have made all your dreams come true. Let’s see,” she said, counting on her fingers. “You found an amazing hunk of a guy who adores you. Your business is a smashing success. And you’re no longer driving the Plymouth Breeze.”

I laughed, thinking of the new SUV Cooper had surprised me with for my birthday last month.

“Yeah, and I got a few things I didn't even know I wanted.” I watched Eva and Lily race across the front lawn as I moved my hands down to my belly.

“I'm still mad at you for moving out of our crappy apartment,” Lauren huffed. “But thank you for paying for the rest of your lease. That’ll give me plenty of time to get a new roommate. With some luck, I’ll find someone who won't kill me in my sleep.”

I grinned. “I'm sure you will, Lauren. And you know you're always welcome at our place.”

“I know. And I'm really happy for you, Felicity. If anyone deserves a happy ending, it's you.” She sighed dramatically and lifted the back of her wrist to her forehead. “I’ll just be waiting for my own happy ending. And waiting…”

I put a hand on her shoulder. “And you’ll get it, someday soon. I know the right guy is out there for you, too.”

The front door swung in and Inga appeared, her face red and flustered. She breathlessly ushered Eva and Lily inside.

“I found them by the koi pond. This one was coming close to falling in,” Inga said, pointing at Eva.

“I wasn't going to fall in,” Eva protested. “I just wanted to get a closer look.”

“I thought you guys were checking on your dad,” Lauren said.

Eva shrugged. “He didn’t need our help.”

Inga shook her head with a smile, then her eyes widened as she saw me.

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