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In her mind, he was the social worker whose opinion would help determine whether they were an appropriate home for his niece They needed to impress him He needed for them to fail any inspection

But as he observed her expressive face and the obvious pleasure she took in this entire day, he realized this was no act for a social worker Zoe's love for his niece was so real, he couldn't help but like her for it

"I'm sure I'll like your family," he told her Even if what he'd seen so far showed him a carnival atmosphere he couldn't possibly understand

Zoe's shoulders eased and she seemed to relax "How's Katherine 's mother? We were all so sorry to hear she couldn't make it today because of hersocial worker, he realized, the"She'll be okay" He hoped he was telling the truth

"Okay, cake tiather" He spoke slowly and with a more distinct accent than Zoe's mother had possessed

"Where's Saether inside hi

Ryan followed her direction and once again felt sure he was hallucinating The , balancing with ease The anie ice-cream cake stepped forward By his side walked a beautiful blond teenager, her hand tight in the crook of his elbow

"Faith," he said aloud

"Sam That's my soon-to-be sister, Samantha," Zoe said with pride "Of course we already think of her as part of the family," she quickly assured him

He nodded but couldn't speak any irl as the spitting ier than Faith had been at the ti, blond hair and similar features, with one marked difference Where Faith had been morose, constrained by their conservative family's demands and expectations, Sam appeared vibrant, happy and full of life

He sed over the lump in his throat "She's a beautiful child"

"Yes, she is I'm sure the picture in Social Services files doesn't do her justice," Zoe said

He muttered a noncommittal reply

Their conversation ended when the "Happy Birthday" song began The hing, she gave the anih five and in turn the rin followed by a kiss

The routine seemed practiced "It see if he sounded as stupid as he felt

"She does," Zoe said, unfazed "Spank lived here for a while"

"Spank?"