Chapter 94
That is to say, she was tasked with looking after Jasmine every weekend.
For reasons understood or not, it had indeed become more frequent for Thorne to be with Jasmine in the past couple of years.
Now, whether Thorne had personal engagements or truly unavoidable commitments, if he wasn’t available, it fell to Charlene to step in and take Jasmine under her wing. Charlene returned to the townhouse.
During dinner, she casually asked Jasmine where she’d like to go over the weekend.
After a moment of thought, Jasmine shook her head, “I don’t really want to go anywhere special”
Charlene knew that Jasmine wasn’t short on places she wanted to visit; she just liked spending her weekends with Thorne and Vesta more. Now that neither of them was around, Jasmine’s interest in doing anything else had really dropped off. Not wanting to press the issue, Charlene offered a different activity, “How about horseback riding?”
It had been a while since Jasmine had last ridden a horse. At the mention, her interest was piqued, and she eagerly nodded, “Yes, please!”
The next day, Charlene took Jasmine to the local equestrian center.
Upon arriving and getting changed, Charlene overheard Jasmine chatting with the riding instructor, her back turned, “My dad and Vesta are both amazing at horseback riding, really cool too. It’s just too bad they couldn’t come with me today…” Charlene stood at the entrance, not wanting to interrupt their conversation.
The instructor noticed her and stood up to greet her, “Ms. Ross.”
Charlene nodded, and the instructor offered, “I’ll call someone else to assist you.”
“That’d be great, thank you,” Charlene agreed.
Even though Charlene was good at horseback riding, she usually paid more attention to Jasmine on their past visits and hardly rode herself. It had been about three to four years since she last really rode a horse.
Initially cautious, Charlene allowed the instructor to accompany her. However, after showing her comfort and skill on the horse, she confidently took the reins and, with a flick of the riding crop, galloped off. After several laps, Charlene went to check on Jasmine.
Approaching, she paused a good distance away at the sight of Thorne and Vesta.
Unexpectedly, they were there too.
Jasmine was happily clinging to Vesta’s leg, the trio engrossed in a cheerful conversation. Soon after, Jasmine and Vesta mounted a horse together, with Jasmine in front and Vesta behind. Thorne mounted another horse, and the two horses walked side by side, the trio atop them chatting and laughing, appearing for all the world like a close-knit family.
As they slowly moved away, without noticing her, Charlene withdrew her gaze and turned to leave.
After changing out of her riding gear and taking a moment to rest, Thorne’s call came through. Charlene answered, “Hello?”
On the line, Thorne mentioned, “I’m also at the equestrian center. I’ll take Minnie.”
Alright,” Charlene replied.
As soon as she finished speaking, Thorne hung up the phone with his usual briskness.
Charlene had been waiting for this call to confirm Jasmine’s arrangement. Picking up her bag, she then made her leave.