Page 35 of A Little Twist

The fish and the turtles shoot through the water, and Pinky hugs her stuffed pig tightly, climbing onto her knees and putting her hand on Cass’s shoulder.

Cass gives her waist a reassuring squeeze. “They’re shooting the curl.”

“Like Uncle Adam! Sweet.” She sounds like one of the little turtles.

“He’s got some serious thrill issues, Dude,” Cass says, and Pinky beams at her.

I cross my arms, leaning my shoulder against the wall and smiling at the two of them quoting lines together.

“Dad said you’re going to stay with me until kindergarten!” P’s voice is high and excited.

“Yep, and we’re going to have so. Much. Fun!” Cass boops her little nose with every word.

My daughter’s eyes widen with her smile, and I can tell she’s as taken with her new nanny as I am.

She holds out the floppy, faded-pink stuffed animal. “This is my friend Piglet. He’s been with me since I was born.”

Cass makes an impressed face and shakes the stuffed animal’s foot. “How do you do, Piglet? I can tell you’re a well-loved pig.”

“Miss Holly says pigs are as smart as dogs.” Pinky settles her stuffed friend at her side. “But Daddy said Piglet can’t go with me to school, and he had to stay home and nap during the wedding. He could get lost, and he can’t find his way home like Myrtle can.”

“Your dad is right. We don’t want to lose Piglet.”

They return to watching the movie and quoting lines. Dory spies something orange and white, and it’s Marlin. She does it again, and it’s still Marlin—and the two of them look at each other and laugh.

Then Cass taps Pinky’s shoulder, and her voice turns into a long, deep, sing-song. “Let’s take a breaaaak and brush our teeeeth!”

My chin pulls back, and I’m not sure what’s happening right now. At the same time, the blue fish in the movie starts doing the same thing. Apparently they’re speaking whale.

Pinky doesn’t miss a beat. “Ooooh-kaaay!”

Cass snorts a laugh, and Pinky hops off the couch, grabbing Cass’s hand and shouting. “I’ll show you my room!”

This is working out too well.

Cass glances back at me. “If there’s anything you need to do today, I’ve got things covered here.”

“Yes, you do.” I smile like I’ve made some big discovery, but the truth is everyone, including Cass, told me she was great with kids. “It’s Sunday. We’re usually at Mom’s for lunch.”

“Gram said today is special because of the wedding. We’re going to have desserts tonight instead of lunch.”

“She wants to tell the kids good-bye before she leaves tomorrow.”

“Ah,” Cass’s chin lifts. “I’ll finish unpacking while you go.”

In the meantime, I guess I’ve got the afternoon to myself.

For the first time in a long time, I could actually go fishing, but what I really want to do is watch my fake fiancée fitting seamlessly into my little family.

CHAPTER10

CASS

Penelope Stone is a little girl after my own heart. By suppertime, we’ve finishedNemo, and she’s shown me all the dolls in her room. Her favorite stuffed princess doll is Ariel, because she lives at the beach like we do, but her daddy said she can never trade any of her body parts for a boy, which she thinks is silly. She would never do something like that.

She likes Eric’s dog way better.

And Sebastian.

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