Austyn had to take several deep breaths to calm himself down,

The girl sniffled and looked up. 'Daddy!"

Twins

Rowe sighed. "Honry, he's not your daddy. Your daddy must be looking for you. Come on, I'll take you to him"

He stretched out both arms but the girl refused to go to him.

she blinked and used Austyn's panileg as a map "Daddy, I'm hungry!"

He stood up and gave his boss a resigned shing. I tried.

Austyn felt a headache coming on

Eaton his lap.

Befer he could come up with a response, the girlclambered up his legs and

She grasped the lapel of Austyn's Jacket.

'Daddy, can we go home? l'in hungry!!

Austyn remained frozen to the spot like an ice sculpture.

He felt the girl's soft body pressed against him.

She weighed next to nothing and smelled like baby powder.Exclusive content from .

Austyn was afraid of breathing too heavily lest he blew off his

The littlegal was oblivious to the adult man's nervous state.

along

She was cooing and babbling in the way babies oftendid, making up words as she went al

When Austyn didn't move, she failed her arms about as it to spar him on

Hertinybody pitched backwards and she almost fell

Austyn caught her in time, his heart thumping.

He put one ambehind her back like a protective calling, but he wasn't sure of what to do next.

The gid had no idea of her close brush with a serious injury.

In fact, she thought it was rather fon

shegiggled. 'Daddy, do it again! Do it again!'

She squirmed and even started bouncing up and down on Austyn's lap,

He had to keep her in place with both hands.

Austyn said through gritted teeth, 'Sit properly!"

Maybe his voice was a little too loud, or maybe his expression was a tad too fierce.

The girl paused for a moment, then looked up at him fearfully with big, puppy-like eyes. She wasteddied.

Opicked at Austyn's conscience, seeing her like this.

He lowered his voice without realising. 'Twasn't..I wasn't trying to scold you. Don't..'

Don't cry

Howe watched the scene with his eyes and mouth wide open.

The gid sniffed.