Garry had been back in Westenmar these past two days on business, and with


    little Mario still recuperating under Ferdinand''s care, he decided to have Carol and Mario stay in Northborough for now.


    James had already taken care of the camper van arrangements in advance.


    Counting Crystal, there were four adults and two children as they set out for the campsite.


    The site was just outside the city, about a forty-minute drive from downtown.


    All the way there, little Nina and Mario were bubbling with energy, chattering and giggling, as if they''d never even heard of fighting; the two little ones got along perfectly.


    Forty minutester, they arrived.


    A sparklingke reflected the vast blue sky, and fresh green grass stretched out before them-the perfect ce for a weekend getaway.


    James pulled the van into a parking spot.


    Everyone climbed out.


    Little Nina immediately mored to fly a kite and dragged Mario off toward a stall selling kites.


    Crystal and Carol hurried after them.


    "Slow down, Nina! Don''t yank your brother so hard-he''ll trip!"


    Briony stayed behind to help James unload the camping gear and food they''d brought along.


    "Ma''am!"


    Briony paused and turned to see Jeannie approaching.


    Irwin stood beside Jeannie, both of them carrying their own camping supplies.


    "What a coincidence!" Jeannie walked over, smiling brightly. "You''re camping here too?"


    Briony had no interest in chatting, but with Jeannie right in front of her, it would have been rude to ignore herpletely.


    She gave a curt, polite reply.


    Her indifference was in to see, but Jeannie either didn''t notice or pretended not to, her smile never faltering. "Mr. Wentworth was supposed toe camping with Irwin this weekend. It''s for a school writing assignment, but something came up and he couldn''t make it, so I brought Irwin myself."


    Briony couldn''t have cared less.


    She gave a faint, polite smile. "Well, I hope you both have a nice time."


    With that, Briony hefted her things and nced at James. "Come on let''s set up a canopy under those trees? We can string a couple of hammocks between them too."


    James barely spared Jeannie a nce before agreeing and heading off with Briony toward the cluster of big trees.


    Jeannie''s eyes glinted. She took out her phone and snapped a photo of Briony and James''s backs as they walked away.


    She opened her messages and sent the picture to Stewart, typing out a quick line:


    *Mr. Wentworth, I just ran into your wife at the campsite!*


    Phone stashed, Jeannie turned back to Irwin, waving him over.


    "Irwin,e here."


    He trotted over.


    She ruffled his hair. "How would you like to camp with Miss Kensington and your little sister?"


    Irwin''s eyes lit up, but then he hesitated, brow furrowing. "Can I? I mean... is that okay?"


    Jeannie gave him a reassuring smile. "Of course you can. Miss Kensington is such a kind person. If we ask to join them, she won''t turn us away."


    Irwin still looked unsure.


    Jeannie leaned down and whispered conspiratorially, "I''ll let you in on a little secret-your dad will beingter, too. So if we go over now and grab the spot next to Miss Kensington, when your dad gets here, your whole family can camp together!"


    "Really?!" At the mention of his father, Irwin''s doubts vanished, reced by eager excitement.


    "Let''s go, let''s save the spot!"


    "Wait!" Jeannie caught his arm. "Remember-don''t tell Miss Kensington your dad


    ising. We need to keep it a secret, so it''ll be a huge surprise for her!"


    Irwin nodded vigorously. "I won''t say a word!"