Ignoring Thorne, she turned to Jasmine. "Minnie, Mommy has to take care of a few things tomorrow, so—"


    "Then we can just leave early in the morning!" Jasmine countered.


    Charlene was at a loss. She shot a look at Thorne, her eyes clearly saying, *You started this, you fix it.*


    Thorne met her gaze and understood. He smiled and, instead of pressing her further, stroked Jasmine''s hair. "Minnie, if Mommy has things to do, we should head back. We cane back to see the stars another time."


    Jasmine, having had such a fun-filled day already, wasn''t too disappointed. "Okay, then."


    They had the staff pack up some of the fruit they''d picked. Before they left, the manager asked, "Would you like to take the wine you made this afternoon?"


    They had used two jars specifically so they could each take one home.


    Charlene, unsure of Thorne''s ns, spoke first. "I''d like to take mine." She doubted she''d ever be back here with him again, so it was better to take it now.


    Thorne nced at her. "Let''s just leave one jar here for now."


    A few momentster, they were in the car, leaving the private estate behind.


    An hourter, Thorne dropped Charlene off at the Ross family home. As soon as she was back in her own house, Jasmine happily scurried upstairs with her little backpack to get ready for bed. After her bath, she pulled her phone out of her bag and saw that the battery was dead.


    She plugged it in, and when it turned on, she saw she had missed messages from Vesta. Feeling a little guilty, she immediately called her back.


    Vesta answered right away. "I''m so sorry, Ms. Hawkins!" Jasmine blurted out before Vesta could speak. "I didn''t have my phone with me all afternoon, so I didn''t see your messages."


    Vesta''s voice was as gentle as ever. "It''s alright, sweetie. I just spoke with your father. He told me you went fruit-picking. Did you have a good time?"


    "It was super fun!" Jasmine eximed, flopping onto her bed and excitedly recounting her day. "Daddy and I wanted to stay overnight to watch the stars, but Mommy had something to do..."


    Vesta''s eyes narrowed. "Your dad wanted to stay and watch the stars too?"


    "Yep."


    "And... did he try to convince your mom to stay?"


    "Yep."


    Vesta fell silent for a moment. "Was it your dad''s idea to go to the estate?"


    "Mhm. Daddy said he thought Mommy would like it."


    Vesta said nothing more. Thorne had called her back earlier and told her about the trip with Charlene and Jasmine. But he had conveniently omitted all the details Jasmine had just shared. Not that she w surprised. She had suspected as much, which was why she had called Jasmine in the first ce.


    After keeping some of the fruit for herself, Charlene brought the rest to the office on Monday. Gaylord received a pear and, hearing that she had picked it herself, approached her desk. Did you go to a private estate over the weekend?"


    "I did," Charlene said, surprised. "How did you know?"


    "I was there with some friends a


    while back. He gestured with the peach in his hand. "The manager mentioned that they''re the only


    this particr variety they weren''t ripe when we went, though."


    estaten Starfall that grows


    Charlene knew the fruit was rare, but not that rare.


    Gaylord looked at her, a hint of regret in his eyes. If he had known she would be there...


    Charlene caught his look and quickly shifted her gaze, exchanging a few pleasantries with the group before excusing herself and heading to Stewart''s office.


    Stewart had just arrived. Seeing her at the office so early, he frowned. "It''s Monday. You didn''t go sign the papers with Thorne?"