Chapter 426
Lyman shook his head. “No, thanks. Effie’s been playing for ages—she must be exhausted.”
“Chess takes a lot out of you,” he added.
Bancroft leaned forward, a playful glint in his eye. “Just one game. What do you say, Effie?”
He turned his gaze to Effie, clearly hoping she’d be easier to sway than Lyman. Everyone knew Lyman was hard to budge, but Effie… she might just go along with it.
Lyman hesitated. “Grandpa…”
Of course, Bancroft wasn’t fooled by Lyman’s reluctance, but he played along, acting oblivious.
While everyone waited for Lyman and Effie to start their match, Lyman suddenly reached out and pulled Effie up from the couch. “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered.
Effie shot a nervous glance in Bancroft’s direction, but Lyman shifted, blocking her line of sight. “I’m wiped out. I need to unwind for a bit.”
“Huh?” Effie blinked. Unwind how, exactly?
Lyman didn’t elaborate-he just took her hand and led her away.
Bancroft, far from annoyed, beamed with delight as he watched them go.
The others looked at each other, speechless.
Was Bancroft… actually happy? Had he lost his mind?
Did Lyman just pull a fast one on them, making everyone wait for nothing?
Or… was he just afraid of losing?
The more they considered it, the more convinced they became.
As Lyman and Effie walked down the hallway, Lyman suddenly felt a tickle in his nose and sneezed.
He rubbed his nose. “That’s odd. Someone must be thinking about me.”
Effie laughed. “Maybe someone really is. Who knows?”
Just then, a small, wobbly figure toddled toward them, chanting softly, “Daddy…”
The little girl had tousled, golden curls and was so thin she almost looked fragile. But her eyes were enormous, framed by long, curling lashes, and her features were delicate and striking.
Lyman stared, a flicker of confusion in his eyes. Where had he seen this little one before?
Before he could place her, the girl reached his side and wrapped her skinny arms around his legs. “Daddy…”
Lyman’s smile vanished. He froze, glancing helplessly at Effie.
“I can explain, I-” Effie started, but the child’s lip wobbled, and she suddenly burst into tears, wailing as if her heart might break. She seemed crushed that Lyman hadn’t picked her up.
Lyman winced, unsure whether to lift the little girl or keep his distance.
Effie crouched down and gently wiped away the girl’s tears. “There, sweetheart,
don’t cry.”
teane The little girl burrowed
into
s vulnerable as a porcelain about to shatter.
her big eyes glassy with t
Effie’s heart ached. “Sweetie, did you get separated from your mom and dad? Let’s go find them, okay?”
“Andie!” A woman’s anxious voice rang out, and moments later, a stylish woman with flawless makeup hurried toward them.
Spotting Lyman, she broke into a surprised smile. “Lyman! What are you doing here?”
Recognition dawned on Lyman. No wonder the little girl looked so familiar-she was Grace McCloud and Clay’s daughter, Andie.
“Mommy…” Andie called out from the safety of Effie’s arms.
Effie studied Grace’s face, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu—she was sure she’d seen her somewhere before.