NovelGoldCharlene hesitated for a moment.
Gaylord just chuckled and said, "No worries. We'll eat when we're hungry. If
you're not in the mood for this, I'll whip up something fresh later when you feel like
it."
Charlene offered a polite smile. “...Alright, thank you for going to the trouble.”
For a moment, the three of them fell into an awkward silence.
That was when Connie and Stewart noticed Charlene's discomfort and quickly stepped in to rescue her.
Connie spoke up, "Mr. Young brought his guitar. Con, let's go listen to smusic."
Charlene followed Connie, leaving York and Gaylord exchanging a glance.
Without saying anything, they turned and wandered back to the newly lit bonfire.
Vesta and the others hadn't caught what Gaylord and York had said to Charlene, but seeing how things played
out, Vesta paused, as if she'd picked up on something. Then she shrugged it off, thinking maybe she was reading
too much into it.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Meanwhile, Moran's friends also knew York, though not well enough to pay much attention he was more of an
acquaintance.
Still, one of them, after watching the exchange, pulled his gaze away and asked, "Who's that girl? She's
gorgeous, no wonder even Mr. Watson-who barely ever talks to women-seems a little smitten."
Leah's expression soured immediately. "Smitten? Con, don't be ridiculous. There's no way Mr. Watson would
like her."
But the truth was, Leah couldn't accept the thought that someone as
accomplished as York might actually be interested in Charlene. Besides, everyone considered Charlene and
Stewart a done deal-why would York even get involved?
Not to mention, York wasn't the type to swoop in right in front of Stewart. If he dared, Stewart would have
already lost his cool.
As for Gaylord, it was even less likely. Everyone knew Gaylord only had eyes for her older sister.
What everyone else was thinking, Charlene had no idea.
The Mr. Young Connie mentioned was Stewart's friend, a pretty decent guitarist. The group gathered around as
Mr. Young strummed and sang.
Connie, ever the extrovert, started calling out song requests and eventually joined Mr. Young for a duet.
Charlene, on the other hand, wasn't much of a singer and rarely listened to music. Just then, both Gaylord and
York stood up and started walking toward her.
Noticing each other, they both paused mid-step, but just as quickly, they continued on, heading straight for
Charlene.
Everyone else at the bonfire noticed.
Even Mr. Young stopped playing his guitar, and the whole group turned to watch the scene unfold.
Neither York nor Gaylord seemed
the least bit embarrassed. This time, Gaylord spoke first. "brought a telescope. Want to do someo
te"
s
York grinned. "Funny, so did I."
Charlene was silent for a moment. Truth be told, she really was fascinated by stargazing.
But-
Stewart cleared his throat and got to his feet. "I'm a fan of stargazing myself. Mind if | tag along?"
And so, the four of them wandered off together to set up the telescopes. Vesta and Leah kept glancing in their
direction, unable to hide their curiosity.
If, just a few minutes ago, Vesta
thought she might be imagining things when York and Gaylord approached Charlene what she wa Seeing now
made her admit York
really did seem interested ino Charlene. s
Gaylord, though-he was probably just putting on a show.
Still, thinking about how cold Gaylord had been toward her lately, Vesta couldn't shake a sense of unease.
In Leah and Moran's minds, Charlene and Stewart were an obvious couple.
Even though York and Gaylord had walked up to them, since they € couldn't make out what was said, Leah and
Moran assured they were just talking to Stewart and didn't give it a second thought. s
Just then, Granger finally arrived.
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