Neely followed her in, asking if she needed any help.


    The olddy shot him a look. “Even if I did need help, you''d be thest person I''d ask. Tell me, when''s thest time you ever lifted a finger in the kitchen?"


    He grinned sheepishly. "Fair enough, I guess. Still, I can keep youpany, can''t 1?"


    She ignored him, her mind elsewhere. "You know, I think this Owen fellow is a real catch. Good-looking, polite,es from a solid family- the Reynolds are practically royalty around here. Most importantly, they''ve always kept their noses clean. Not a single scandal to their name."


    Neely looked puzzled. "Why are you bringing this up? But yeah, Owen''s a good kid."


    The olddy nced toward the living room. Her eyesight wasn''t what it used to be, but she could still sense the young man''s grace and steady confidence. Clearly, he was well brought up.


    "You think there''s something between him and Anne?"


    "Hey, now-don''t go getting ideas. He said himself, he and Anne are friends. Where''s your head at?"


    "I''m not imagining things. Friend or not, shouldn''t I look out for our Anne? Someone needs to vet the people around her."


    "She''s not a little girl anymore, Neely. Young folks can make their own friends. We don''t need to meddle in everything."


    "I know, I know. I''m not trying to butt in. Just... can''t I at least have an honest opinion about Owen?"


    "Fine, fine. Let''s keep our opinions between us, though. No need to parade them in front of Anne. You''ll just make things awkward for her."


    The olddy couldn''t help but smirk. "Do I look like someone who doesn''t know where to draw the line?"


    Neely''s survival instincts kicked in. "...Not at all."


    She suddenly changed the subject. "Hey, have you noticed that Corley seems a bit off tonight?"


    Neely frowned. "Really?"


    "He hasn''t said a word since he came in, just dived straight into work. He looks disgruntled from head to toe-how can you not see it?"


    "Probably just some trouble at the office. What''s the big deal? Men at his age, especially Corley, are supposed to be hustling. If he runs into a few bumps, that''s normal. Don''t worry, he''ll sort himself out."


    "I hope so," she sighed softly.


    When dinner was served, the housekeeper brought out the dishes, and Owen Reynolds was surprised to find two of his favorites among them.


    The olddy beamed. "Anne mentioned you prefer lighter food, so I whipped up a couple dishes just for you. Hope they''re to your taste-go on, try them!"


    Her cooking was, as always, superb. Owen let his clean te speak for itself.


    Geneva watched, delighted, and kept piling more food onto his te.


    With his te heaped high with meat, Owen shot a helpless look toward Roseanne, silently pleading for rescue.


    Roseanne cleared her throat. "Grandma, let us help ourselves. You should eat too."


    "Alright, alright."


    But despite her words, the olddy continued to serve Owen, though thankfully at


    a slower pace.


    Owen finally managed to rx.


    "Corley, this one''s your favorite-"


    the olddy said, reaching over with the serving spoon to add food to Corley''s te, determined to keep things fair.


    Corley sighed. “Grandma, I''m not a kid. I can serve myself."


    "You''ll always be kids to me."


    Corley and Owen exchanged a nce for just a second before each looked away, focusing on their tes.


    Owen''s gentle manners and quiet


    confidence made him the sort of young man elders adored. From the


    first bite to thest, both


    grandparents were especially warm and weing.


    When it was time to go, they walked Owen all the way to the door, urging him to


    visit again soon.


    This time, Owen didn''t hesitate. He smiled and agreed.


    Roseanne stood at his side, smiling at her grandparents. "Alright,


    sndpa, Grandma, I''m heading out Owen." Content belonl.ne


    "Drive safe, sweetheart. Thank you, Owen."


    “No trouble at all," Owen replied, lips curling into a polite smile. "It''s my pleasure."


    Corley stood behind his grandparents, keeping a little distance, watching the scene unfold with a heavy gaze.


    What a heartwarming picture—a perfect family moment.


    It almost seemed as if Owen belonged here, as if they were all one big happy family.


    Suddenly, Corley felt... just a little left out.


    Why? Why should Owen Reynolds get to have all this?