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.

daughter's choice. He always had a soft spot for the younger

handy, and Leo joked about Anya's

they didn't bring supplies, nearby vendors sold

food's freshness like a

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 sleep, whimpering in

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,

a cushion for the child to play on," the young

after, Andre arrived with a new cushion, unwrapping it and laying it on the ground, "Mia, let's put the child down to

looked at the drowsy Henry, "He's not settled yet. I'll hold

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

leaning on his cane, asked, "Young man, what's this river called? The current's pretty strong, and I've never heard

on the cushion for her son to lie

young man lit the stove 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

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

these past few weeks have

who was sitting on the mat,

else noticed Anya's change in demeanor, as Mia remarked, "That explains all the high school

Hansen, "This used to be part of the neighboring county but

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

that story true or 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

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