“I'm sorry, Benny,” Archie apologized to his brother when the crowd shifted their attention away from them. “It was my fault for not holding your hand tightly enough that you got lost in the crowd.”
Benny gazed at his brother and said casually, “It wasn't your fault, Archie; it's too crowded here. Besides, I wasn't lost, and it was fun playing the drums, anyway!”
Archie frowned for several seconds before nodding slowly. “I will hold your hand tightly next time,” he promised, “and never allow
something like this to happen again.”
Benny nodded vigorously as he squeezed his brother's hand.
Estella came over to join the fun. “Me too! I'll hold both your hands!”
The little girl clutched Benny's hand as she spoke.
Touched to see the three children walking hand in hand with similarly solemn expressions, Roxanne smiled gratefully. “Come, Benny,” she said gently. “Thank Mr. Farwell."
Benny appeared to be surprised by her words.
“Mr. Farwell was the one who found you,” Roxanne said.
The boy glanced up at the man before him.
As Lucian was standing with his back against the moonlight, Benny could not see his expression at that moment.
Nevertheless, the boy obeyed his mother by expressing his gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Farwell.”
Lucian nodded noncommittally. “No problem. You were clever enough to wait here.”
The boy was taken aback by his father's compliment. He stroked his nose awkwardly.
The crowd on the beach thinned out after the fireworks show.
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