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

Anya's carload of stuff came in handy, and Leo

supplies, nearby vendors sold all kinds of meats and

food's freshness

off to 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 from lack of

appeared with a donkey, setting a stove and charcoal on the

asked,

cushion for the child to play on," the young man said, setting

a new cushion, unwrapping it and laying it

settled yet. I'll hold him; he cries as soon

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

cushion for her son to lie on.

to his exams and topped them. On his way back, he remembered the fish and ate it again.

listen, turned to the young man, "Do we have

visitors these past few

who was sitting on the

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

but was incorporated into Havenbrook during the expansion. It used to

place is nice, with mountains, water, beautiful scenery, and a lively

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 bit, then continued to

later held across his dad's arms, instinctively clutching his

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

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