Chapter 625: Stars
Chapter 625: Chapter 625: Stars
Ronan Kendrick certainly remembered. With Evelyn Ford by his side, he rarely dwelled on the past. But now that he thought back, he recalled everything that happened ten years ago with perfect clarity.
"Those were good times," Ronan said softly. "It was just the two of us."
Evelyn let out a chuckle and poked him twice on the back.
"I really want to go for a swim," Peter Owens said, looking at the water with an eager expression.
"The lake is deep. Don’t do anything stupid. There are weeds at the bottom," Ethan Dawson said, smacking Peter on the back of the head.
"Look at this." Evelyn Ford grabbed a water snake with her bare hands and showed it to the group. Joelle Finch jumped back two steps in fright. Evelyn, holding the snake by its head and tail, deliberately gave it a couple of shakes.
"How did a snake get in the fishing net?"
Evelyn shrugged. "On a day this hot, even the snakes are going into the water to cool off. Peter, didn’t you want to go for a swim?"
Peter quickly waved his hands dismissively. "Never mind. I suddenly don’t feel like swimming anymore."
"The water’s probably full of snakes."
Peter shivered. The very thought made him rub his arms, his face a mask of misery.
"Evelyn, stop scaring me."
Evelyn burst out laughing. After thoroughly scaring Peter, she tossed the snake back into the water. It thrashed twice and then swam away at high speed.
When Evelyn was a child, she was terrified of snakes. Even seeing a picture of one would make her feel physically ill. Ever since experiencing the snake plague, however, she had overcome her fear. To her now, snakes weren’t much different from loaches or eels.
Its venom could be made into poison, while the gall, skin, and bones could be used for medicine. And the meat could be eaten.
After the fish from the net were collected in a bucket, Ronan cast the net out again. You could tell he was in a great mood today and having a lot of fun.
Evelyn used a pair of binoculars to check on the camp. The young people chosen by the team leader were in the water. On the shore, an oilcloth had been spread out, and the older folks were dumping the day’s catch onto it. The women took the kitchen knives that had been handed out and started scaling and gutting the fish. The cleaned fish were then ready to be air-dried.
Everyone at the camp was busy. From this distance, she could only faintly hear the captain’s voice through a bullhorn as he directed the others.
"Evelyn, where’s Liam?"
Evelyn shook her head. "I haven’t seen him at all today. He’s probably busy sending a telegram to Rhys Chase."
"Should we save a couple of grilled fish for him?" Quincy asked.
Taylor Vance nodded. "Good idea. Let’s save these two big yellow catfish for him. I remember Liam likes spicy food. We should sprinkle some extra chili powder on them for him."
Quincy picked up the ground pepper, looking at the two grilled fish with a mischievous grin. "A little more pepper will make it taste even better."
Miles Vaughn came over to join the fun. "And add a little soy sauce and sesame oil."
"Do you guys have something against Liam? Why are you trying to torment him like this?" Officer Graham said, pushing the two of them away.
"How is this tormenting him? We’re just messing with him a little," Quincy said, as if he were completely justified.
"Stop ruining the food. Go catch some more fish and get out of the way," Officer Graham sighed. "Their combined age is over sixty, but they’re still so immature. Ronan and Ethan are the reliable ones."
Evelyn and Wyatt Vaughn glanced at each other, and both couldn’t help but smile.
"That’s just Quincy. He’ll probably still be like this when he’s eighty. So irritating," Wyatt Vaughn said, but despite her words of annoyance, her eyes were filled with an indulgent smile.
"You’re probably the only one who can tolerate him." Officer Graham gave Wyatt a thumbs-up.
Wyatt Vaughn smiled. "Besides his tendency to spout nonsense, he’s full of virtues. Honestly, in times like these, where else could you find a man as dependable as Quincy?"
Evelyn...
Officer Graham...
At nine-thirty in the evening, Ronan Kendrick and Ethan Dawson hauled in the fishing net for the last time. It was the final catch of the day, and the sky had already grown dark.
"Let’s call it a day." Ethan and Ronan high-fived, both of them very pleased with their haul.
At ten-thirty, everyone gathered around the fire, eating grilled fish and drinking beer while admiring the dense blanket of stars in the night sky.
"I haven’t seen this many stars in years," Ethan Dawson said, leaning back in a rocking chair and taking a swig of beer.
Peter Owens clinked his bottle against his. "This is so nice. A gentle breeze, a warm fire, just chilling and chatting outdoors. No need to worry about what tomorrow brings, no need to worry about food and drink."
"Once we get to the grasslands, we’ll definitely see an even more beautiful night sky."
"I hope so."
Evelyn was getting sleepy. As she dozed off in her rocking chair, Ronan draped a blanket over her. He then pulled his phone from his pocket, aimed it at her profile, and snapped a photo.
Just then, Liam Sterling, who had been busy all day, emerged from the tall grass, out of breath.
"There you guys are! I’ve been looking all over for you. I finally found you."
"Have you eaten?" Officer Graham asked, pulling up a chair for him.
"I have. The camp had extra rations tonight, so everyone’s full."
Officer Graham smiled. "Well, we saved you some grilled fish."
"Oh yeah? Where is it?"
Officer Graham took two grilled fish out of a cooler. The aroma was rich, and Liam gave a thumbs-up. "Smells amazing. Thanks, everyone."
Quincy handed Liam a bottle of beer. "Don’t mention it. It was my idea to save them for you."
Liam raised an eyebrow. "You didn’t poison it, did you?"
"Am I that kind of person?"
"You are," Liam replied, nodding with a straight face.
Quincy snorted and ignored him.
Evelyn yawned. "What time is it?"
"It’s midnight."
Evelyn yawned again. "I’m sleepy. Ronan, let’s go to sleep."
The night wind was a bit chilly, and even stronger by the lake. Zoe had already fallen asleep in Wyatt Vaughn’s arms.
Quincy and Ethan were still having a drinking contest. Evelyn called over Annie and Wendy and, with a flash, brought them into her space.
Back in the bedroom, Evelyn collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep before she could even wash up. Ronan went into the bathroom, drew a hot bath, and then washed her.
"You little liar."
"What?" Evelyn was groggy with sleep. She felt someone pinching her cheek and reluctantly opened her eyes.
"Didn’t you say you would make it up to me?" Ronan stared at her, his eyes dark and intense.
Evelyn had no recollection of this. She just rolled over and fell back asleep.
Ronan took a deep breath, pulled the covers up over her, got up, and walked into the bathroom.
The next day, Evelyn woke up especially early. She took out her pocket watch and glanced at it—it was only four-thirty.
The moment she moved, Ronan, who was behind her, immediately pressed closer.
"You didn’t sleep all night?"
Ronan grunted an "mhm," and Evelyn turned over to face him.
"What’s wrong? Is something on your mind, or are you not feeling well?"
Ronan took Evelyn’s hand and pressed it against his chest. "You heartless little liar."
Evelyn coughed. Now she remembered.
"You stayed up all night just because of that?"
"Mhm."
"Are you angry?"
Ronan chuckled lightly. "Not really."
"I was wrong."
"What were you wrong about?"
"I shouldn’t have forgotten. How about I make it up to you now?" The moment Evelyn finished speaking, Ronan’s eyes snapped open.
"Go on, then."
"What?"
"Make it up to me. Right now."