Bet''s lips curved into a smile at the thought. A child of his and Yvonne''s-it was something he truly looked forward to.


    "We''ll see. Yvonne''s still a child herself," Bet sighed softly.


    "True, she is quite young. Serves you right for robbing the cradle," Noah teased.


    Bet just shook his head andughed, his gaze returning to Yvonne and Nic. But then he saw Cynthia and her brother, Lionel Scott, had also appeared by theke and were walking toward them.


    Nic was running with the kite string and didn''t see who was behind her, bumping right into Cynthia.


    The little girl stumbled, nearly falling, but Cynthia reacted quickly and caught her.


    "Are you alright?" Cynthia asked, crouching down to look at Nic with a warm smile.


    Nic shook her head. "I''m okay, miss."


    Just then, Yvonne hurried over, anxiously pulling Nic toward her to check for any injuries.


    "Auntie, I''m fine. Thisdy caught me," Nic said obediently.


    Yvonne finally looked up at Cynthia. "Ms. Scott, what a coincidence."


    Cynthia had the same gentle demeanor as always, her smile perfectly measured. "We''re on vacation here. We didn''t expect to run into you all."


    She then introduced the young man beside her.


    He was more of a boy than a man, really, looking a year or two younger than Yvonne.


    "This is my cousin, Lionel. He''s still in college and just got back for break a couple of days ago Cynthia exined, then turned to him. This is Ben''s wife. You should calPher Yvonne."


    "It''s nice to meet you, Yvonne. I had no idea you were so beautiful. Ben is a lucky man," Lionel said. He was young and knew how to charm with a clearly lively and outgoing personality.


    He spotted Bet and Noah sitting nearby and waved enthusiastically.


    "Cynthia, Noah and Ben are over there. Let''s go say hello."


    "Alright," Cynthia nodded, then looked at Yvonne and Nic. "Are you twoing with us?"


    Nic had been running around for a while and was sweating from flying the kite, so Yvonne was nning on taking her back for a rest anyway.


    Yvonne took Nic''s hand, and the two of them followed Cynthia and Lionel back to the campsite.


    "Noah, Ben!" Lionel greeted them cheerfully.


    "Hey," Bet replied, not knowing him well but offering a polite nod.


    Because Noah and Cynthia had been together for years, he was quite familiar with


    her younger cousin. He smiled and asked, "Lionel, are you on break?"


    "Yeah, I just got back," Lionel


    confirmed. "I was tied up with a research project at school, so! finally have a few days off. Luckil my cousin wasn''t busy and could bring me out here to rx.


    "If you get bored, you can alwayse find me. I''ll take you out," Noah offered.


    "Really? That would be great!" Lionel said excitedly.


    "Lionel, stop it. Your uncle Noah''spany is so busy. Where would he find the time for a little rascal like you?" Cynthia said, feigning a stern expression as she chided her cousin.


    "It''s fine. I can spare the time," Noah said with a smile.