Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 822

The elderly woman hurried to open the door, only to find that it wasn't just Roseanne standing on the porch. Beside her was a young man, strikingly handsome and composed, whose presence seemed to fill the entryway.

For a moment, Geneva and her husband froze, then quickly exchanged a glance.

Geneva wasted no time. She swept her gaze over Owen Reynolds from head to toe, taking in every detail, then turned to her granddaughter with a twinkle in her eye. "Anne, and who might this be? Aren't you going to introduce us?"

Before Roseanne could respond, Owen Reynolds stepped forward with an easy confidence. "Hello, sir, ma'am. My name is Owen Reynolds-I'm a friend of Roseanne's."

He met their scrutiny with a calm, steady air that put everyone at ease.

Neely arched an eyebrow. "Reynolds? As in... the family of Ferdinand Reynolds?"

Owen nodded. "That's right. I heard you'd returned to the country recently. My father actually wanted to come pay his respects, but I managed to beat him to it." "If memory serves, the Reynolds family has three sons. Where do you fit in?"

"I'm Norris. I have two older brothers."

"The one in research?"

that's me." A friendly

up. "So you and our Anne are in the

chuckled. "How else do

delight was impossible to hide. Parents-and grandparents-always carried

out of your way to bring Anne home. Why

door-anything else would feel presumptuous. But now, with Geneva's unexpected invitation, he hesitated. After all, this was a family meal.

out, and it gets dark so early these days-I'd worry about Anne making her way home alone. Besides, it's not every day

strangers if you refused."

friend home for a playdate her grandmother's pride was palpable, as if she'd finally grown up

flashed Owen a warm smile. "Grandma's right. It's cold out-stay for dinner. That way, you can give me a

her grandparents insisting, Owen's

a new sound drifted in from outside-a car engine. A moment later, Corley strode through the door, kicking off his shoes and calling out, "Grandpa, Grandma, I'm back. Has Anne arrived yet? Need me to pick

need," Neely