Chapter 288
“So, is that what you thought too? Rushing back home just to stop us?” Lindy’s brows were knitted in frustration as she glared at Friedman, her voice sharp with irritation.
Those two brothers had already worked her last nerve; now, to find Friedman had cut his business trip short-what, just to get yelled at too?
Friedman rubbed the bridge of his nose sheepishly, wondering what he could have possibly done to make both his wife and his father so exasperated with him.
“Why would I try to stop her? Effie is part of our family. If something’s wrong, it’s our job to help her, not turn our backs.”
He paused, then added, “And those two idiots got a piece of my mind, don’t worry.”
To his relief, he noticed both Lindy’s and his father’s faces softened at that.
Just then, footsteps sounded at the door. Lyman walked in, carrying Effie in his arms.
Effie hadn’t expected everyone to be awake. The moment she came in, she found herself under the collective gaze of the family, wide-eyed and slightly
embarrassed.
She whispered, “Put me down, please.”
“Oh, don’t bother, don’t bother,” Lindy said with a relieved sigh, her mood much improved now that Effie was home safe. “It’s late, we’ll head back now.”
“You two should get some rest too,” she added.
Effie’s cheeks flushed. She looked at the three of them, flustered. “Grandpa, Mom, Dad, you really don’t have to go back and forth. Why don’t you just stay here tonight?”
“No, no, it’s fine. We live close by, it’s hardly any trouble at all.”
Lindy exchanged a knowing look with Friedman and Bancroft; without another word, the two men followed her out. In Lindy’s mind, this was Effie and Lyman’s little haven-having the elders around would only make the young couple
uncomfortable.
Truthfully, Effie didn’t mind them staying. Her invitation had been genuine.
As she watched them leave, she felt a twinge of guilt.
Lyman set her gently down and said, “I’ll go run a bath for you.”
“Okay.”
Suddenly, something occurred to Effie. She reached out and grabbed Lyman’s hand. “I’m sorry.”
Back in the car, she’d been so exhausted she’d fallen asleep clutching his hand. Now, with her strength returning, she wanted to apologize properly.
Lyman paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at her. “What are you apologizing for?”
“Because of me, you upset so many people. Even your family’s been worried sick.”
He reached out and tapped her nose affectionately, his voice soft. “Silly girl. We’re family. Looking out for each other is what we do.”
He hesitated, then asked, “If it were me, if you heard I was in trouble, wouldn’t you do everything you could to help me?”
He couldn’t help it-there was a selfish hope in his question. Even if she was just saying it to make him feel better, he wanted to hear it.
Effie met his gaze, her voice steady. “I’d risk everything for you. Even my life.”
A slow smile curled at the corners of Lyman’s lips. He pulled her into a tight embrace. In that moment, he knew she was worth every hardship.
The next few days, Effie took time off work, and Lyman did too, working from home so he could care for her.
Whenever Effie woke up, she didn’t even have to move; Lyman would scoop her up, carry her to wash up, and then to the kitchen for a meal.
Afterwards, he’d settle her on the couch with the TV remote and her phone, making sure she was comfortable before getting back to his laptop to work nearby.
Effie couldn’t help but laugh at the whole routine. “I feel completely useless,” she said, grinning up at him.
Lyman frowned, a hint of concern crossing his face.