Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

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.

his daughter's choice. He always had a soft spot

of stuff came in handy, and Leo joked about Anya's blind luck in picking

didn't bring supplies, nearby vendors sold all kinds

checked the food's freshness like

stones. Mia, the mom, wandered around with her child, feeling the heat and

a stove and charcoal on the ground, "This was ordered by a Mr. Cedillo. Should I leave it

asked, patting her

went to rent a cushion for the child to play on," the young man said, setting down the stove and making sure I was stable before

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

not settled yet. I'll hold

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

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

handed the child to her husband, then spread a mat and thin blanket on the cushion for her son to lie on. Anya,

Scholar's River. Legend has it that in ancient 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 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, students and their parents come here for good luck. It's the peak

spraying to listen, turned to the young man, "Do

locals believe. Most visitors these past

who was sitting on the mat,

change in demeanor, as Mia remarked, "That explains all the high school students

used to be part of the neighboring county but was incorporated into Havenbrook during the expansion. It used to

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

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

chubby, rosy-cheeked Henry was later held across his dad's arms, instinctively clutching his dad's finger,