A VERY UN-SHAKESPEARE ROMANCE: ‘A Fake Dad Grumpy Sunshine Romantic Comedy’

Tim and Tara returned to the house to play with the girls so Sheila could tell Billie about his so-called “surprise.”

Lily’s nerves were strung tight. Not only for Sheila but for Billie. Robbie insisted on staying in case his brother acted like a jerk. Sheila had only nodded with a fixed smile. Lily knew that smile. It was part of her poker face.

She dragged Robbie into the living room to give her partner and Billie a little privacy in the kitchen, which Sheila had decided was the best place to reveal her cover, joking about the kitchen island being a good barrier.

Billie rapped lightly on the patio door before slicking it open after being welcomed inside. “You part of this surprise too?” he asked, stopping short, seeing them.

Lily cleared her throat. “Sort of. My friend will tell you. She’s in the kitchen.”

“Great!” He craned his neck, heading that way. “Come out, come out, wherever you are.”

Robbie gave a low groan as Lily clenched her teeth.

“Hi, Billie,” she heard her partner say.

“There you are! I hear you have a surprise for me. Where is it?”

“It’s not a physical present,” Sheila responded, irony in her voice. “In fact, you aren’t going to believe it when you hear it.”

Lily heard her partner’s voice drop then, the kind of low mumble she gave when she was giving a field status. Professional. To the point.

“FBI?” After a moment, Billie’s deep belly laugh filled the house. “Summer too?”

Her partner must have nodded, because his laughter became louder. “Oh my God! You’re kidding! I didn’t know Feds could look like you two. Robbie must have lost his shit. Hey, bro? You need a diaper change in there?”

Lily looked over at Robbie, who silently shook his head as if to say he didn’t know how things were going to go down yet. But teasing was good, right?

“And you and—what are your names again?”

“Sheila Morales and Lily Meadows,” her partner answered factually.

“Right. Sheila. Good to meet the real you. So you followed us all the way from Boston, huh? And have been watching the whole time? God, I wish I’d known that last night when I played solitaire and kept an eye out. I’ve never been more worried in my life.”

Honest, Lily thought. No thread of anger in his voice. That was good too.

“You’ve got a gun, right?” he asked.

“Upstairs.”

“Can I see it? Chicks with guns are so hot. What about handcuffs? You can cuff me anytime.”

Sexist and yet playful, which was so very Billie. Robbie pinched the bridge of his nose. “I think it’s going pretty well, don’t you?” she whispered.

Robbie gave a strained thumbs-up.

“I hope you aren’t upset—” Sheila began.

“Upset?” Billie’s laughter boomed out again. “Are you kidding? My guys are going to love this story. Meeting you has been one of the best parts of this fake vacation. I’m thrilled you went for me while undercover. I take it as a compliment. I know Robbie was the perfect mark being the cop, but you could have always gone after Tim. You chose me.”

Lily could almost see him puffing out his chest.

“I seemed more your type from your social media account,” Sheila said with a relieved laugh.

“That you are, sweetheart.” Another sexy chuckle. “So, you’re going to protect Tara and take down the Kellys. You might be my new hero. To think, I’ll be able to say I briefly went out with the hot Fed who put those guys in the slammer. Can I have a selfie with you? I’m so putting the photo up in my garage.”

“Maybe not that part since I work undercover,” Sheila sputtered, clearly amused.

Robbie’s mouth parted, and Lily pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. So they’d been worried for nothing. Billie saw the whole thing as a lark. True to form. She knew her partner liked him, but his response didn’t cut off the possibility of a future connection, did it?

Sheila entered the family room with a bemused look on her face. “I’m about to be immortalized in a mechanic shop. Lucky me. I’ll just grab my phone.”

Lily gave her partner a finger gun along with her own bemused look. “Aren’t we all glad that’s behind us?”

“So glad,” Robbie ground out.

Billie strolled in, his hands tucked in his jeans. “You stayed because you thought I was going to go ape shit. Brother, you’ve got me all wrong. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. A hot chick in the FBI choosing me for her undercover side piece. Man, it’s like ascending a new level or something.”

“Glad you think so,” Robbie said, studying his brother.

“I know I am.” Lily stood up and thrust out her hand. “I’m Lily Meadows. Good to meet you, Billie.”

He took it gently, caressing her hand. “Do all the chicks in the FBI look like you and Sheila? Because maybe I need to apply.”

“Billie.”

“That’s a compliment, bro.” Billie put his arm around her shoulders. “I hope you know my brother totally is into you.”

“That rumor has been confirmed,” she answered, her lips twitching since he didn’t know about the handcuffs yet. “I happen to be really into him too.”

“Excellent.” He turned as Sheila came in, holding up her phone. “There’s the hottest chick in the FBI. Come on, sweetheart. Let’s take that selfie. Afterward, I want to get a photo with all four of us. The two gorgeous Feds who hoodwinked the O’Connor boys. God, this is awesome.”

Lily breathed a sigh of relief. Now they could start the operation.

Billie sported his usual easy come, easy go smile from then on, helping Tim with the girls after Tara told Reagan that the women she’d known as Summer and Clarice were undercover guardian angels, watching over them while she was gone. Lily had thought it was a sweet way to explain things, and while she could see the questions in Reagan’s eyes, the little girl had hugged her warmly and given her an enthusiastic thank you. Then she’d given both Lily and Sheila tinfoil guardian angel badges she’d made with Tim, something that had warmed their hearts.

After a full day of working toward their joint goal—something that felt right and invigorating—they all played with the kids and had a BBQ to celebrate the new direction of events. She and Robbie even found some moments to sneak away and explore their burgeoning passion for each other. Then they went through the same thing the next day.

Everything was going according to plan.

Until Tyler showed up.

Because when alpha males occupy the same playground…

When he got out of the car, Sheila stepped out onto the patio to greet him, and Billie’s face tightened as he watched the FBI agent pick her up off the ground in a big hug, making her partner laugh wildly. Billie, Robbie, Lily, and Tim were all out on the beach with the kids—one last beach hangout before the kids left—and Billie took one menacing step toward the house before Robbie stopped him with a hand on his arm.

“I’ve changed my mind,” Billie said tersely as he shook Robbie off and continued toward the house. “I’m not leaving.”

She and Robbie shared a shocked look as they followed him, shooting Tim and Reagan an assuring smile as they paused in their sandcastle making.

Robbie snagged his brother’s arm, halting him while he was still on the beach. Billie’s easy grin was gone, replaced by a ready to brawl set of his jaw and big body. Lily approached cautiously. Did Billie have deeper feelings for Sheila than he’d let on since learning the truth? Sheila had been realistic about Billie’s lighthearted reaction, saying he went through women like Lily went through coconut water. Tim had later commented that this O’Connor brother didn’t do the green-eyed monster.

She laid a gentle hand on Robbie’s arm as she heard Billie’s teeth grind together. Sheila punched Tyler playfully in the arm after he set her down, falling into their comfortable rhythm, but Lily wanted to wince as she imagined the scene through Billie’s eyes. The noon sun was practically glowing on the six-foot-five blond agent. Sheila had joked Tyler’s good looks made her believe in God last night as they’d all had their final dinner together after the kids went to bed. Billie had laughed along with everyone else—before Tim had started all of his Shakespeare nonsense again about Tyler being a rose…

“You know, Billie—I’ve lost count of the number of cases Agent Darren and Sheila have worked on together,” Lily said, doing her best to be diplomatic and save Robbie from having to step in.

She and Robbie were still finding their groove—as lovers and as professionals—but so far, they seemed to have the whole complementary leadership thing down pat. He could be the bad cop, and she excelled at making things work as the good one, so to speak.

Buck had told her he liked Robbie after their first joint operational call, and Buck didn’t even like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, saying the holiday sham led to increased crime.

“Their rapport is part of what makes them so successful,” she continued, trying to assure him.

“They certainly have some rapport,” Billie commented darkly.

She immediately shelved the idea of suggesting he take a gander at the sports car Tyler had driven down for their photo and video op—an orange McLaren. Somehow, she thought that would only make things worse. “You don’t need to meet him. In fact, why don’t you give us a moment to talk to Tyler alone, Billie?”

“There’s no need for that,” Robbie said, facing his brother. “Right, Billie? In fact, it’s downright rude of you to pull this attitude. You assured everyone you were good with this situation.”

“That was before I saw this joker!” He gestured rudely in Tyler’s direction. “You can’t trust a man that pretty. He looks like he went to Harvard—”

“He did,” Lily murmured, not surprised someone from Southie would feel angst toward someone in that part of Boston.

“And I’ll bet you a beer at Danny’s he was in one of those fancy fraternities—”

“Billie, there’s a lot more to Tyler than meets the eye,” she interjected, because Tyler had been in one of the most exclusive fraternities on campus. “I wouldn’t choose another agent for this job. I promise you.”

Robbie got in his brother’s face. “Don’t you dare fuck this up by being jealous over a woman you assured me and everyone else was just a fun time,” he said between clenched teeth. “And don’t insult Lily. Ever.”

God, he really was her knight in shining armor.

Billie held up his hands immediately. “Look, I meant no insult. Okay? But Robbie, tell me you trust that guy. Because that jackass looks more like a pretty boy who’s more inclined to lap dance someone than to read them their rights.”

“You’re making no sense, Billie.” Robbie punched the air. “Is he a stripper or a Harvard asshole?”

Lily cleared her throat loudly as Sheila and Tyler both looked over. “Brothers! They’re going to miss each other so much. Hey, Tyler! I’ll be with you in a just a sec. Good to see you, man.”

Robbie poked his brother in the chest as she forced a smile at their audience. “Billie,” he said in a hard undertone, “so help me… If Lily says he’s a hardened FBI agent, you believe her. I do.”

She couldn’t help but get a happy little glow from the way he was backing her. Since he’d set aside his own reservations, he’d been with her every step of the way, smoothing anything needed—including Reagan’s fears about leaving without him, which she voiced at bedtime last night. That had torn him up, but it had also made him more focused. “The Kellys have to go down because I can’t take seeing tears in that little girl’s eyes ever again,” he’d told her, and she’d fallen even more in love with him.

“I’m only being protective because that joker is going to put his hands on…Tara,” Billie spat out badly.

Even Lily knew he’d meant to say Sheila. Tension raced up her spine as Robbie stepped even closer to his brother. “That’s not what this is about, and you know it. You and me are going to have a problem if you do or say anything to make either Sheila or Tara uncomfortable. Now, smile, dipshit. They’re coming this way.”

Billie elbowed Robbie back, breaking his professional smile for a moment.

“He’s going to behave now, Lily,” Robbie assured her tightly. “Or I’m covering him in jellyfish.”

Lily laughed weakly as Tyler and Sheila reached them. Her partner was practically sashaying over, and she sent her a warning look as she said, “Tyler Darren. Meet Lieutenant Robbie O’Connor and his brother, Billie.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you guys.” Tyler extended his hand to Robbie first. “Nice to meet you, although I know we all wish it wasn’t necessary.”

Lily watched as Robbie clasped his hand. When he needed to, Tyler had a granite handshake, and clearly, he knew it was necessary with the O’Connors. He met Robbie’s eyes head-on, showing him the steel behind his good looks. Should she have mentioned to Billie that Tyler was a Rhodes Scholar? She’d shown Robbie his agent file to assure him of both his competency as well as his track record with the Bureau.

“It’s good to meet you, Agent Darren,” Robbie said in his flat, professional voice. “Lily and Sheila sing your praises, and they’re no pushovers.”

“That’s one of the reasons why I like working with them,” Tyler said, showing his perfect white teeth.

“Oh, stop!” Sheila said, hitting him again playfully.

Lily wanted to strangle her partner. Sheila damn well knew that Billie was acting weird…and also why.

Lily watched as Billie proved her partner right by aggressively extending his hand to Tyler.

The agent shook his hand, gripping it tightly, giving Billie the same unflinching look.

Billie didn’t let go right away but leaned in and said in a menacingly soft voice, “Yeah, a pleasure, but if you get my cousin or any of these other beautiful people killed, we’re going to have a problem, you and me. And no freaking tongue when you’re playing boyfriend. With either of them. Got it?”

Lily’s eyes widened as Sheila puffed out a laugh. “Well, that ruins my day.”

Tyler shot her partner a look. “I’ll bet…”

Robbie politely laughed before glaring at Billie. “My brother is a protective kind of guy.”

“We have that in common, then,” Tyler said, suddenly looking dead serious despite his casual white T-shirt, worn jeans with a rip in the knees, and black flip-flops. “Trust me. They’re in good hands.”

“The best.” Sheila grinned as she grabbed one of Tyler’s. “I mean, jeez, look at the size of these. I’m surprised you can find a gun that works, Tyler.”

“Cut it out, Sheila,” Tyler said, saving Lily the task of threatening to kill her partner. “I’m trying to assure Mr. O’Connor here. I know it can’t be easy leaving here today, but I promise you that Lily’s plan is one of the smartest operations I’ve been involved in. From the moment I heard she’d smoked my training officer at Quantico in a run up Radar Hill, I knew she was someone to watch.”

“Thanks, Tyler,” she said, ducking her chin a little. “Tara is inside putting her little girl down for a nap.”

“Not anymore,” Robbie said as she stepped out onto the patio.

“Is that my new friend?” she called breezily.

Lily braced herself for the next possible drama, wishing Tim wasn’t still trying to keep Reagan occupied with building a sandcastle. The little girl had to be watching everything, especially since her mother had told her how they were kind of putting on a play to explain her new clothes and why she was staying behind for a day. Just this morning Reagan had made a point of telling her mother how pretty she looked in her new sleeveless black Dolce & Gabbana dress. “I’m back to myself, Miss Pixie,” her mother had said with a wink.

And Tara did ooze confidence as she sauntered over in her new undercover dress, wearing the killer designer gold heels they’d had expressed from Manhattan with the rest of her spending spree items. How did she walk on the beach with those?

“I heard your car drive up and told Miss Purrfect to keep Cassidy company until she fell asleep. Hi, I’m Tara.”

“Agent Tyler Darren,” he said, extending his hand, professional to the bone. “I appreciate you trusting me to take care of you and do my part while we’re executing Agent Meadows’ plan.”

Tara shook his hand with both of hers, a fixed smile on her face, but Lily caught how her shoulders seemed to drop their tension. “You have no idea how much your help means.”

“Lily and Sheila know this,” Tyler said in that relatable way of his, “but I became an FBI agent because someone hurt a woman I cared about. Lily specializes in cases involving kids. I specialize in cases with women in trouble and in dangerous situations.”

Wetness shone in Tara’s eyes momentarily. “Well, that’s me! Agent Darren, you are heaven-sent—like our guardian angels Lily and Sheila here.”

“I’m only doing my job, ma’am,” he said, continuing to let her shake his hand.

Billie rolled his eyes, making Sheila putter out a laugh, but Robbie sent Lily a half smile. She could all but hear him thinking, Okay, I like this guy.

Billie didn’t seem so convinced. He was staring at Tyler like he was a cockroach he’d like to crush with his boot.

“Tara, why don’t you and Agent Darren go inside and sit down with Sheila and talk through the itinerary today?” She patted her cell in her cotton drawstring pants. “I need to see how close Agent Petris is to arriving.”

“It would be a pleasure.”

“Hang on,” Tyler said, reaching into his pocket. “Lily asked me to pick this up for you, Robbie.”

When Robbie noticed the bottle of antacids he’d requested, he sent her an amused look. “I was kidding. Mostly.”

“Details,” she only responded as he pocketed them in his shorts.

“Lily doesn’t forget anything, does she?” Tara linked arms with Tyler as the trio walked off. “So tell me a little more how you see things working between us.”

Lily glanced over at Billie as she pulled out her phone. His face looked set in stone now, and she wondered whether there was anything to do. If he wanted to see Sheila again, he could ask her, right? Interfering didn’t seem like a good way to kick off her new relationship with the O’Connor clan. Also, just because Billie looked jealous didn’t mean he wanted to date her partner. Everyone knew his reputation.

“Agent Petris is going to be here in thirty minutes,” she said after reading his text.

“I’ll tell Tim and Reagan they need to get changed and ready for our road trip,” Billie practically growled, shoving his hands in his pockets and striding off.

“Ignore him.” Robbie jerked his head in his brother’s direction. “He’ll get his head on straight. I know he’s not happy we’re splitting up.”

She laid her hand on his arm. “Neither are you. You look like you tossed and turned all night after you left me.” They’d agreed it was better for him to continue sleeping in the O’Connor house, which meant no sleepovers.

He shrugged. “I missed you. We haven’t woken up together yet.”

She leaned a little closer to him, aware they were in a public space. “You have a standing invite to sleep over at my apartment back in Boston.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m in love with you, and I don’t even know where you live.”

She’d suspected how he felt about her, but hearing the words made her heart zing. “I’m in love with you too, but I know where you live,” she joked.

“I’m glad we’re in agreement on how we feel, but I still don’t—”

Oh, he was so serious suddenly. “So, we have a lot of details to share. Like the fact that I live alone and don’t have pets. Near Harvard. Kidding!”

He didn’t laugh.

“Come on. That was funny.”

“Robbie!” Reagan cried.

They turned to see the little girl running toward them, covered in sand, her ruffled purple swimsuit still wet in spots from her surfing attempt earlier with her uncles’ help.

“Billie says we need to get ready to go.” She arrived with repressed tears in her eyes. “But I really don’t want to leave Mommy and you here. Why can’t you come with us?”

Lily’s heart broke for the little girl. Since Tara had arrived, Reagan had been practically glued to her side, while Cassidy had preferred to be held more. Even Miss Purrfect hadn’t been far away, either weaving figure eights around Tara’s legs or resting beside her feet. She glanced over at Robbie, whose face seemed to get harder before he crouched down to his little cousin’s level.

Cupping her slender arms gently, he said, “Because I have to stay here and help your mom fix some of the things your daddy did with our little play. Remember how she told you that last night?”

She nodded fiercely, biting her lip. Lily admired Tara for being as honest as she could with the two girls about why things were the way they were. She knew some parents just wanted to gloss over things and tell their kids everything was fine, but they always sensed it when something was wrong. She’d felt that way at Reagan’s age.

She hoped Reagan and Cassidy would only remember this short trip as a blip on the screen away from their mother, not knowing until they were much older, perhaps, how dangerous things had been. Of course, losing their father was likely to be a continued reality, and Lily hoped she could find some way to help soften that now that she was in Robbie’s life.

“Your mom will be back with you tomorrow night, okay?” He tipped her chin up. “Billie and Tim will make sure you and Cassidy have a ball until then, along with Lily’s work friend, who’s going to be with you guys.”

“It won’t be the same without you,” Reagan whispered softly, and Lily laid her hand on Robbie’s shoulder. If she had a ball of emotion lodged in her throat now, she couldn’t imagine what he must feel.

This little girl was losing her protector, the one who’d been there from the beginning of this misadventure. Separating from him would be like ripping off a Band-Aid. But Robbie had been resolute in his desire to stay in the Outer Banks and be on-site when the Kellys sent their men for Tara. She’d given him the option, even though she’d already known what his choice would be.

“I’ll be with you soon enough.” A smile flickered on his face. “But I need to stay here with Lily and Sheila until you guys can go back to Boston. It’ll only be for a little while longer.”

Reagan lowered her head again, studying her sandy feet.

Tim arrived with Billie, holding the red bucket and shovel. They shared the same grim expression as Robbie, but then Tim shook himself and stuck the bucket on his head.

“What ho!” he cried in his fake British accent, spitting sand out of his mouth as the dregs rained down on his face. “What doth thou think of my new hat? Does it suit me? Or is it missing a feather?”

Reagan slowly raised her head, but her young face was pale and strained. “You don’t have to cheer me up, Tim. Mom says it’s okay for me to be sad sometimes.”

The men all seemed to jerk as if they’d been electrocuted by her honesty. Time for Lily to step in. She lowered herself to a knee. “She’s right, and I’d be sad and a little scared if I were in your shoes—even though you aren’t wearing any.”

That had her mouth tipping up. “I know what you mean. Mom says you have to walk in someone’s shoes sometimes to understand them.”

“I agree.” She touched Reagan’s heart. “Since you love princesses, I’ll bet you remember the other thing they have inside them besides beauty and magic.”

Curiosity smoothed out the tension in her O’Connor blue eyes. “Maybe.”

Lily smiled, aware of Robbie’s gaze on her. “Some call it courage. Others bravery. But it’s a strong trait all people with O’Connor blood seem to possess from what I can see. It means you do what you have to when things aren’t perfect and you don’t like them.”

“Like my mommy and Robbie are doing,” Reagan said hesitantly. “And Billie.”

The tall man straightened at the mention of his name, but she answered before he could respond. “Yes, but actually, I was thinking about you. Because you don’t want to leave today, but you know it’s what your mommy and Robbie want you to do. So you’re going to do it. And you’re going to help Cassidy have a good time so she won’t be too upset.”

“We don’t want her to cry.” Reagan took a few steps closer until she was standing inches away from Lily. “Do you want to stay here?”

“I do actually.” She tucked Reagan’s thin hair behind her ear. “Because I love my job, but mostly because it’s going to help us make sure you and your family can go home to Boston.”

And never have to worry about the Kellys again.

“I’m glad you’re with Robbie, then.” She brightened at last. “That means I’m going to see you in Boston. Since you really live there.”

“It does.” She smiled at Robbie when he turned his head, his gaze warm with that new tenderness she couldn’t get enough of. “Maybe we can have a princess wand shopping date sometime soon.”

Reagan nodded. “I think Tim should come along. He’s really good at accessorizing. I told Mommy as she tucked me in bed last night, and she couldn’t stop laughing. I didn’t see why.”

“It’s the Shakespeare thing,” Robbie said, playfully shoving his baby brother. “Tim seems to have discovered his inner goofball on this trip.”

Tim gave a lopsided smile. “The enlightened appreciate my special gift. Before we go, we need to do one more thing. Reagan, will you kneel, please?”

“What the—”

Lily silenced Robbie by touching his arm, and they watched as Reagan gave Tim a puzzled look before lowering to the sand. He stood above her, grinning as he touched her little shoulders with the red shovel. “For your courage and bravery on this trip, I hereby reward you with a new title. Arise, Princess Pixie.”

Awe transformed her little face as Tim grandly held his hand out to help her up. Lily watched the scene with a soft glow in her heart. Reagan hugged Tim before turning to hug Lily. Then she turned to Robbie, her entire body now straighter and more confident.

“Take good care of my mom,” she told him and then wrapped her arms around his waist.

He hugged her gently, lowering his chin to his chest, and looked to be swallowing back emotion. “You take good care of Cassidy for me, Princess Pixie.”

“I will,” she promised, looking up, very much a young girl growing up.

“Princess Pixie, huh?” Billie closed one eye and tilted his head. “It suits you.”

Yeah, it really did, Lily thought as she and Reagan shared a long smile.

Tim pointed to the house. “Come, we must tell your mother and Cassidy about your new title. Miss Pixie is no more.”

She took Tim’s hand, waving as they left. Lily watched them, feeling in her heart that she hadn’t just fallen in love with Robbie but his family.

Billie lightly punched Robbie in the stomach. “I’ll forgive you for leaving me alone with that lunatic, two young girls, and an FBI agent if you take care of Tara.”

“Don’t insult me,” Robbie shot back, but he nudged his brother playfully in the chest. “Maybe when I see you next, we won’t be calling you Billie but Prince Blockhead.”

“That’s your name.” Billie faced Lily. “Take care of Sheila. Not that she needs it, but I still don’t trust that Tyler guy. Made her see God… What bullshit!”

He wandered off, muttering to himself. Robbie turned and faced her. “Thanks for your help there. I’d rather interview a kingpin than try and assure a little kid everything’s going to be okay.”

“I thought you did a great job.” She cupped his jaw. “When you make an effort, you really are good with women. Grandpa.”

He coughed out a laugh. “Some women. It’s probably my old age and all the wisdom that comes with it.”

Her lips twitched. “Probably. Agent Petris should be arriving any minute now. If I didn’t have so many fellow agents around, I’d kiss you senseless.”

“Later,” he promised, grabbing her hand and squeezing it. “I should go inside and help them get everything ready to go. It would be awful if they left anything here. I mean, Cassidy can’t sleep good without her teddy bear and Reagan just adores that Barbie I bought her. Oh, and before I forget. You asked for a seashell on our aborted first date. Like you said. Details.”

He produced one out of his pocket and held it out to her. Her bones seemed to dissolve as she glanced at the beautiful white shell with the rust and blue-colored markings. He’d remembered that in the midst of all this? She gave in to the urge to kiss his cheek even though they were in plain view. “Somebody really is a knight in shining armor.”

“Don’t be giving me any titles.” He shuddered like he was shaking off a swarm of flies. “I’m fine with being Lieutenant Robbie O’Connor.”

The patio door slicked open, and Billie emerged with a grinning Cassidy, who clearly wasn’t interested in napping. “Hey, bro. Cassidy’s got one last surprise for you before we leave.”

Robbie scrunched his face suspiciously. “What is it?”

“’Cane!” she gurgled.

He heaved a giant sigh. “No f—reaking way I’m changing that diaper, Billie.”

His brother lifted his chin in challenge. “You are if you’re staying here. It’s the only way to keep the score even.”

His curse was muffled but clearly from the heart. “Dammit, it’s not like I can ask Tara to do it. She’s probably talking to Tyler.”

“Oh, come on,” Lily said, pinching his bicep. “You’re a big tough man. You can handle it.”

Later, when she was greeting Agent Petris, Robbie gave a girly scream that echoed throughout the house.

Lily tried to keep her face set, but Agent Petris started laughing. “That sounds like my reaction to one of my kid’s dirty diapers when my wife’s out shopping. I’d rather take a bullet than clean up that foul mess.”

These men…her heroes.