Josie saw the earnest hope in Mrs. Hawthorne's eyes. The words "I've already eaten" hovered on her lips, but in the end, she swallowed them.
She wasn't quite used to this sort of familial intimacy, but Mrs. Hawthorne's warmth made it impossible for her to refuse. Forcing a smile, she nodded and replied, "Alright, thank you, Mrs. Hawthorne."
Mrs. Hawthorne's face instantly lit up as if she'd found a treasure. She affectionately took Josie's arm and chattered all the way home. "You're eating for two now, so you absolutely can't be careless! This chicken was free-range from the base, and it's nice and plump. I slow-cooked it for hours, so the broth is incredibly savory..."
Because Lucas Lockwood was also part of the base's management, Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne had been assigned a decent suite of rooms.
Walking into the Hawthorne family's tidy and cozy living room, the rich aroma of chicken soup immediately wafted over her.
