Chapter 256
To Effie, there was a world of difference between a vacation and a sightseeing trip. A vacation, she believed, was about comfort-about letting yourself relax and breathe, not about elbowing through crowds at tourist hotspots or racing from one landmark to the next, snapping photos just to prove you’d been there.
That’s why, whenever she managed to get away, she’d pick out the most secluded resorts or lesser-known beaches. She’d check into her hotel, have a bite to eat, sleep in as late as she wanted, and then maybe wander down to the shoreline, feeling the ocean breeze on her face, letting her mind drift as she gazed at the
waves.
She once tried to explain this to Lyman-her whole philosophy on vacationing versus traveling.
The truth was, she rarely had the chance to take a proper vacation. Even when she did, she always worried about her grandmother back home.
Still, she couldn’t deny how restorative it felt to be away, to let her body and mind truly unwind.
Lyman listened and nodded. “Yeah, I understand.”
Effie paused, studying him. Somehow, when Lyman said he understood, it
sounded different from what she meant. As if he was talking about something else entirely.
He looked at her, and for a split second, she felt as though he was seeing
someone else through her-someone she’d never met.
He smiled gently. “You look tired. Let’s go back to the room and rest.”
Lyman didn’t mention Randell or the others. Frankly, he hoped they’d stay gone. Those guys were like walking floodlights-blindingly obvious, impossible to ignore. He’d be perfectly happy if they never showed up again.
But Effie asked, “Where’s Nita? And the rest of them? They all disappeared.”
Lyman, not missing a beat, shrugged. “No idea. We’ve been wandering around forever. You must be worn out. Let’s just head back to our room.”
But Effie frowned, worry flickering across her face. She was concerned about Nita. After what happened earlier with Hanley, she couldn’t shake the worry that Hanley might try something again.
“I can’t,” she said. “I have to find Nita.”
Lyman sighed, realizing he wasn’t going to win this one. He pulled out his phone and called Randell. “Where are you guys?”
Randell answered, “We’re up in the room, playing cards. We’re short one-come up and join us.”
Lyman raised his eyebrows. He could hear the excitement in Randell’s voice when he said “you guys.”
Just then, Vinson Elliott chimed in, “Lyman! You two should hurry up and get over here.”
Lyman rolled his eyes. Of course he knew exactly what was going on.
He turned to Effie. “Do you play cards?”
Effie hesitated. Lyman looked so serious, she wondered if it was a big deal.
He misunderstood her silence. “Don’t worry if you don’t know how. I’ll teach you.”
So that’s what this was about? Effie let out a breath. “I can play. I just don’t do it very often.”
“It’s fine,” Lyman assured her. “We’re just playing for fun, not high stakes.”
Effie nodded. “Alright, I get it.”
Once they were upstairs, Vinson Elliott waved at her the moment they walked in. “Effie! Over here-sit next to me.”
Lyman could only shake his head. He’d guessed right about their motives.
Effie glanced around at their eager faces and put two and two together.
Nita slid over to Effie and whispered something in her ear.
Across the table, Randell shot Vinson Elliott a look-uh oh, Nita might be spilling the beans.
Vinson Elliott mouthed, Not impossible. If Effie refuses to play, I’ll dock her half a month’s pay.
Randell retorted, You try that and she’ll quit on the spot. Didn’t you say she’s got real potential? Weren’t you planning to recruit her to headquarters?
Effie, catching their glances, fixed them both with a look. “Vinson, Randell, is there something wrong with your eyes? Because if there is, I can recommend a great eye doctor.”
Vinson Elliott winced, caught out. “Nope, my eyes are just fine. So are we playing or not?”
Effie grinned, confidence lighting up her face. “Of course we’re playing. Why wouldn’t we?”
Randell and Vinson Elliott exchanged a look-and both burst out laughing.