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.

was thrilled with his daughter's choice. He always had a soft spot for the

and Leo joked about Anya's blind luck in

nearby vendors sold all kinds of

checked the food's freshness

and Molly found a spot to clear some stones. Mia, the mom, wandered around with her child,

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

asked, patting

young man said, setting down the stove and making sure I

new cushion, unwrapping it and laying it

"He's not settled yet. I'll hold

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

and I've never heard of it before." He used to be a politician

cushion for her son to lie on. Anya, wielding insect repellent, sprayed

times, a scholar passing through here caught a 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

paused her spraying to listen, turned to the young man, "Do we have

believe. Most visitors these past few weeks have been high

glanced at Chad, who was sitting

else noticed Anya's change in demeanor, as Mia

but

place is nice, with

to eat fish when he's taking his college entrance exams in 18 years." Henry, cradled by his

held across his dad's arms,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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