Chapter 304
After their walk, Effie and Lyman returned to her grandmother’s house. Each busied themselves with a few things, then started getting ready for bed.
Suddenly, Lyman’s phone began to vibrate again and again.
Effie glanced over at him. “Aren’t you going to check it? Sounds like people are really trying to reach you.”
Lyman waved it off. “Nah, it’s probably just that crowd, bored and looking for someone to go out drinking with them.”
He grinned, wrapped his arms around Effie, and switched off his phone. “Honestly, what could be better than lying in bed with my wife? A night out doesn’t even come close.”
Effie snuggled into his embrace, smiling to herself. She thought, Well, they’re still in that honeymoon phase, so it made sense that Lyman wanted to be glued to her all the time—just like Mitchell had, back in the beginning. But once the novelty wore off… who knew what would happen?
Meanwhile, their group chat was as lively as ever.
Vinson Elliott: Where’s Lyman? I’ve tagged him a dozen times and he hasn’t replied once.
Randell: Vinson, you idiot, if Lyman isn’t answering, it means he’s with his wife and can’t be bothered with you. Keep pestering him and he’ll block you, just wait.
Vinson Elliott: Oh, shut up! I’ve known Lyman for decades. He’s not going to block me over something like this.
Fenton: If you’re looking for Lyman, you might as well look for me. I’m always free. Where are you? I’ll be there in five.
Fenton: Look, Lyman’s still newly married, so of course he’s going to be attached to his wife. Wait until the honeymoon phase is over, see if he doesn’t come running.
Vinson Elliott: Fenton, weren’t you the same with Annabel? You used to follow her everywhere, practically glued to her. What happened with that, anyway? Let me think…
Fenton: Vinson, you really are an idiot.
Vinson Elliott: Hey! No name calling!
Fenton: Are you even human?
The next morning, Effie’s grandmother woke up with the strange sense that something was different.
As she shuffled through the house, she suddenly noticed that Effie’s old bedroom door was closed-a detail she didn’t remember from the night before.
She paused, a little alarmed. Oh dear, could someone have broken in?
She was just about to open the door when she spotted a note, weighed down
Pena bowl on the kitchen
table The handwriting was bold and elegant:
Grandma, Effie and I went for a walk last night and lost track of time. We were too
tired to go home, so we stayed here. Sorry for the trouble.
She smiled, recognizing Lyman’s neat handwriting. Just like the man himself— polite and considerate.
He must have known that, at her age, she’d be up early, so he left the note to spare her any worry.
By the time Lyman and Effie got up, Grandma had already prepared breakfast, Since Lyman was staying,
she made it extra hearty-So she’d
nourishing porridge, fresh rolls she’d
picked up from the bakery downstairs, and a little corn and
sweet potato for good measure.
“Good morning, Grandma,” Lyman greeted her as soon as he came out.
She beamed at him. “Good morning, Lyman. How did you sleep? Was everything comfortable?”
She managed to sound perfectly calm, but inside, her heart was beating a little faster.
Lyman answered easily, “I slept really well. Everything was perfect.”
Grandma breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “I’m glad. Come have some breakfast.” “Thank you, Grandma,” he said.
Just then, Effie emerged from her room, dressed and ready for the day. Grandma hurried over to pull her aside.