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.

with his daughter's choice. He always

and Leo joked about Anya's blind

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

the food's

went 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,

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

Mia asked, patting

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

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

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

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

river called? The current's pretty strong, and I've never heard of it before." He used to be a politician in Havenbrook, so

her husband, then spread a mat and thin blanket on the cushion for her son to lie on. Anya, wielding insect repellent, sprayed it around

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

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

these past few weeks have

glanced at Chad, who was sitting

in demeanor, as Mia

later explained to Hansen, "This used to be part of the neighboring county but was incorporated into Havenbrook during the expansion. It used

recent events, "This place is nice, with

Hansen asked again, "Is 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 18 years." Henry, cradled by his dad, cried a bit, then continued to

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

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

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