Scott hurried over and found five brand-new hundred-dollar bills stashed under the cutting board.

"Officer Chad, for just a few cherries, this is way too much."

Chad hadn't planned this with Molly. It was all her, sneaking over, grabbing his wallet, and leaving the money there.

"Molly really gets me, huh?"

Molly grinned, "Of course, only I truly understand you."

Looking for a lunch spot, Molly found a riverside picnic club on her phone.

Molly nibbled on her thumb, "Chad-"

"Henry's too young."

"He won't eat much anyway."

"The smoke will be strong."

Molly stopped pleading and got down to business, "Chad, if you take me to the picnic, I'll stay over at the Byrne family's house tonight."

Officer Chad, always ready to compromise, asked, "Where's it at?"

A half-hour drive later, they arrived at the bustling riverside, vehicles parked all around. It was a busy weekend. Walking down the slope, Andre carried his son and held his wife's hand, surrounded by dirt paths and the smoke from woodland barbecues. Kids played by the river, and a few high school students in uniforms were there too.

thrilled with his daughter's choice. He always

in handy, and Leo joked about

though they didn't bring supplies, nearby vendors sold all kinds of meats

checked the food's freshness

chat, Anya and Leo fetched things, and Molly found a spot to clear some stones. Mia, the mom, wandered around with her child, feeling the heat and Henry's fussiness

a young man appeared with a donkey, setting a stove and charcoal on the ground, "This was ordered by a Mr. Cedillo. Should

Mia asked, patting her son's

to play on," the young man said, setting down the stove and making sure I was stable before

it and laying it on the ground, "Mia, let's put the child down to

not settled yet. I'll hold him; he cries as soon as

and the young man returned, both carrying skewers of meat and vegetables, placing them on a nearby

"Young man, what's this river called? The current's pretty strong, and I've never heard of it before." He used to be a politician in Havenbrook, so he thought he should

spread a mat and thin blanket on the cushion for her son to lie on.

fish. His wife cooked it, and after eating, he went to his exams and topped them. On his way back, he remembered the fish and ate it again. Since then, it's said that eating fish from this river brings exam success. Gradually, it became known as Scholar's River. Every year around April and May,

turned to the young man,

believe. Most visitors these past few weeks

who was sitting on the

one else noticed Anya's change in demeanor, as Mia remarked, "That explains

explained to Hansen, "This used to be part of the neighboring county but was incorporated into

recalled recent events, "This place is nice, with mountains, water,

legend? If it's true, I'll bring my grandson here to eat fish when he's taking his college entrance exams in 18 years." Henry, cradled by his dad, cried a

dad's arms, instinctively clutching

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