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.

always had a soft spot for

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

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

checked the food's freshness like

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

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

husband?" Mia asked, patting

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

a new cushion, unwrapping it and laying it on the ground, "Mia, let's

at the drowsy Henry, "He's not settled yet. I'll hold him; he cries as soon as I put

carrying skewers of meat and vegetables, placing them on a nearby

current's pretty strong, and I've never heard of it before." He used to be a

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

and explained, "We call it 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 season for fish, and that's when picnic

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

believe. Most visitors these past few weeks have been

glanced at Chad, who was sitting on the mat, deep

Mia

part of the neighboring county but

events, "This place is

just a 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

his dad's arms, instinctively clutching his dad's finger, miraculously calming into