"I need to take this," Eleanor said ton beside her.


    Before she could step away,n had already moved to the side, onto the grass. His gaze was fixed on the distant sunset, but his peripheral vision was trained on Eleanor.


    Eleanor answered the call. "Hello, Mansfield."


    Mansfield''s voice, as clear as ever, came through the phone. "Eleanor, I''m in Ashford City. I head back to Kingston tomorrow, and then to the base the day after. I''d like to treat you all to dinner before I leave."


    By "you all," he meant Eleanor andn.


    Eleanor was taken aback. "You''re going back to the base so soon?"


    "Yeah, it''s time. Don''t worry, I''m fully recovered," Mansfield said.


    "Of course! Let''s have dinner tonight," Eleanor agreed, wanting to see him one more time. Once he returned to the base, it could be six months or even a year before they saw each other again.


    "Great. I''ll send you the restaurant address in a bit. I''ll give him a call now."


    "Him," of course, wasn.


    Eleanor could sense that Mansfield''s dinner invitation was also a gesture of gratitude.


    Eleanor smiled. "No need to call him. He''s right here with me. I''ll let him know." Mansfield sounded slightly surprised. "It sounds like things between you two are... much better."


    "We''ve cleared up the old misunderstandings. We''re looking at houses in a good school district for Evelyn right now," Eleanor exined.


    "Alright, then you tell him. Bring Evelyn along tonight, and we''ll all have dinner together," Mansfield said, his tone as crisp and decisive as ever.


    "Okay, see youter," Eleanor replied with a smile.


    After hanging up, Eleanor walked over ton, who was standing a few feet away. Hearing her approach,n turned to face her.


    "Mr. Ellington would like to treat us to dinner tonight," Eleanor said, adding, "He said to bring Evelyn along."


    Eleanor nodded. "Yes. He leaves the day after tomorrow."


    Eleanor was stunned. "Are you sure you won''t go?"


    He looked deeply into her eyes, his tone gentle. "Go and catch up with him properly. After all, you two have been through a lot together."


    Eleanor was momentarily speechless, but she could see thatn was being sincere. After a moment she decided


    the issue. "Okay, I''ll let him know.''


    Just then, her phone chimed with a message from Mansfield containing the restaurant''s address.


    When they reached the parking lot, Eleanor got into the driver''s seat. Ian held the door open and said, "Drive safely."


    Eleanor nodded. "I will."


    Eleanor''s taillights disappeared down the tree-lined avenue. Only then did the man retract his gaze, a deep, contemtive look in his eyes.


    On the way, Eleanor called


    Mansfield She made an excuse forn, saying he was too busy to get away As for her daughter Eleanor said she was at Goodwin Manor and it was toote to go pick her up.


    Mansfield was very understanding and they agreed to meet at the restaurant.


    Eleanor got stuck in rush hour traffic. By the time she arrived, it was already seven o''clock. A waiter led her to a private dining room.


    She pushed open the door. In the light, she saw Mansfield in a casual button down shirt. The pair that had been shaved for his surgery had grown back, and he now sported a neat buzz cut.