Chapter 15
After parting ways with Nita, Effie headed to a high-end tea shop and picked out a box of premium tea leaves. With the meeting gift ready, she took her time wrapping it herself, making sure every detail reflected her sincerity.
Still, she felt a flutter of nerves. The Etheridge family was one of the most prominent in Neo-Arcadia, and Mrs. Etheridge kept such a low profile that no stories about her ever made it into public gossip. Effie couldn’t help worrying— what if Mrs. Etheridge turned out to be just like Mrs. Lloyd, always looking down her nose at everyone?
And then there was Lyman, who’d been wanting to meet her grandmother for ages. Effie figured she should give her grandmother a heads-up first. If she just showed up with someone out of the blue, it might give the poor woman a fright.
Right now, her grandmother was setting the table, calling out, “Effie, dinner’s ready!”
“Coming, Grandma.” Effie washed her hands and joined her at the table.
As they ate, her grandmother brought up Mitchell again. “Effie, is everything alright between you and Mitchell? I haven’t seen you two talk much these past few days.”
Effie’s heart fluttered with anxiety, but she mustered her courage. “Grandma… I… Mitchell and I broke up.”
Her grandmother paused, then let out a gentle sigh. “Ah, well. If it wasn’t meant to be, there’s no use forcing it.”
Though age had silvered her hair, Effie’s grandmother was still sharp as ever. She’d seen all the effort Effie poured into that relationship. If Mitchell had truly cared for Effie, he wouldn’t have treated her so callously. After all these years, he’d hardly ever bothered to visit. But knowing how much her granddaughter liked him, she’d kept her opinions to herself. Maybe this breakup was for the best.
Effie’s throat tightened and her eyes stung with tears she tried to blink away. “Grandma, I’m sorry for making you worry about me.”
She hadn’t expected her grandmother to be so understanding, and that bittersweet warmth filled her chest.
Her grandmother reached over and patted her hand, her gaze soft and loving. “Silly girl, what are you apologizing for? I just want to see you happy. That Lloyd boy-I could tell from the start he wasn’t good enough for you. This is a good thing, really. Our Effie deserves so much better.”
Effie lowered her head, and the tears finally spilled over.
“You’re right, Grandma. I won’t waste another tear on someone who isn’t worth it.”
Her grandmother gently wiped her cheeks, her voice tinged with concern. “There, there, now. Our Effie is too pretty to ruin her face with tears. Eat up-look, I made all your favorites tonight.”
Effie couldn’t help but smile through her tears. “Thank you, Grandma. Actually, there’s something else I wanted to tell you…”
She hesitated, searching for the words.
“What is it?” her grandmother asked, curiosity piqued.
“I… well, I’ve met someone new.”
Her grandmother’s eyes went wide, as if she wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly. “You’ve met someone?”
Effie nodded. “I have. I really like him—we just clicked. I want to start fresh, Grandma.”
It was a white lie, but there was something about Lyman that Effie couldn’t quite put into words.
Her grandmother regained her composure. “Effie, you’re not just getting married on the rebound, are you? That’s not something to take lightly.”
“No, Grandma. I truly like him. He treats me so well. He even asked if he could come meet you tomorrow. Will you give him a chance?”
Her grandmother looked a little surprised at how fast things were moving, but she could see the sincerity in Effie’s eyes. “Alright.”
Effie finally relaxed, and after dinner, hurried to text Lyman the news.
Tomorrow was Saturday-perfect for a visit.
The next day at noon, Lyman arrived, arms laden with gifts-prized delicacies, rare dried mushrooms, nourishing herbal tonics, all the traditional things one would bring to honor an elder.
When he appeared at the door, his dark eyes shone like polished obsidian.