Chapter 32
Morwenna hadn't taken any of the valuable items in his place.
Rumor had it that she was from the mountains and a freshman at college. She was probably as broke as she looked.
No wonder she worked at the fish market gutting fish.
Stuart was unusually perturbed, his thoughts a tangled mess.
The unrest made it impossible for him to keep up his façade.
With a stern face, he took the grocery bag from Morwenna's hands.
Instinctively, she protested, "Sir, I'm strong enough to carry it myself."
"Zip it."
Morwenna fell silent.
She stole glances at Stuart, who seemed less aloof and more genuine as he carried the heavy bag.
When they returned to Windcharm Villas, Norbert had arrived.
Morwenna greeted him with a radiant smile as if seeing a family member, "Norbert, how did you get here so fast? We bought loads of groceries. I’ll cook something delicious for you."
"Wenna, did you and Stuart shop together?"
"Yes."
Norbert watched his grandson carrying the groceries, his smile deepening the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.
Since Morwenna's arrival, he had seen many firsts from his grandson.
Morwenna busied herself in the kitchen with the ingredients.
Dinner was a lavish affair, enjoyed thoroughly by Morwenna and Norbert.
Whether Stuart enjoyed it was of no concern.
After dinner, Norbert didn’t mention leaving but suggested playing Euchre instead.
Norbert called out to Stuart, who surprisingly agreed.
Morwenna found Stuart’s cooperation odd. They weren’t under any contract to act like a loved couple, so why was he so cooperative?
In the first game, Stuart was the dealer. Morwenna and Norbert teamed up against him.
Stuart lost, and a Post-it note ended up on his face.
In the second game, it was Norbert's turn to deal.
Again, Morwenna and Norbert teamed up against Stuart.
Both Stuart and Morwenna had Post-it notes on their faces.
In the third game, Morwenna dealt.
Once more, she and Norbert pressed hard against Stuart.
Stuart was speechless.
Probably no one in Rosefrost Hollow had ever seen Stuart plastered with Post-it notes.
Morwenna was about to leave after seeing off Norbert around ten at night.
Stuart casually mentioned, “It’s late, and no rides around. Why not stay at Windcharm Villas tonight?”
Quick on her feet, Morwenna replied, “I knew it might be hard to find a ride late here. Mr. White lent me his electric scooter. It’s parked outside. I can ride back.”
Stuart had nothing to say in response.
He had called Morwenna back, intending to make her stay.
Fletcher reckoned that once she said yes to crashing tonight, it'd be a cinch to get her to stick around more often.
Morwenna didn’t know what Stuart was thinking, but she waved goodbye. “Sir, you should rest early. I’m heading out.”
She'd had a good feed and was feeling pretty chipper tonight. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Riding the electric scooter back to her old apartment, she noticed a large grocery bag at her doorstep.
The bag was filled with ingredients.
She recognized some items she had bought with Stuart that afternoon with many other expensive- looking ingredients.
She was momentarily stunned.
What was Stuart doing?
Was it a charity for poor people?
Why had he suddenly changed so much? Where was that awful demeanor from before?
Morwenna felt Stuart was too strange. Before, she had endured and flattered, and he had been so insulting.
She had given him a piece of her mind and walked away, and he seemed to have improved significantly.
Thinking it over, Morwenna suddenly blushed.
Could Stuart possibly have feelings for her?