Effie came home from work to the delicious aroma drifting from the kitchen- Lyman was making dinner. She looked around in surprise. “You’re back! Where’s Grandma?”

Normally, Effie would have been thrilled to see Lyman home from his business trip, but the absence of her grandmother set her on edge.

A knot of worry formed in her chest. “Is Grandma feeling alright?”

Lyman wiped his hands on a dish towel. “She’s just taking a bath. She said a dog chased her while she was out buying groceries, and she nearly slipped. Stepped in something filthy, so she wanted to wash up.”

Effie’s anxiety spiked. “Did she hurt herself? Twist her ankle or her back?”

“No, I checked her over already. She’s fine.”

Effie let out a sigh of relief, rolling up her sleeves as she joined him by the counter. “Let me help.”

Lyman paused mid-chop and eyed her with mock suspicion. “Are you sure about that?”

His wary expression made Effie laugh. “Trust me-today’s me is not yesterday’s me.”

Lyman smiled at her confidence. “Just be careful not to cut yourself.”

Effie grinned. “While you were away at work, I actually signed up for a cooking class-learned how to slice, dice, everything. I can even make seafood paella, and I finally figured out how to pan-sear a steak. Oh, and I picked up some stir-fry skills too.”

“I even made liver sauté for Grandma the other day. She said it was delicious!”

Lyman’s eyes widened. “So that explains why you looked so tired every time we video-called. I thought work was wearing you out. Turns out, it was all your secret studying.”

He set down the knife and pulled her into a hug, resting his chin on her shoulder.

“You know,” he murmured, “you don’t have to go to all that trouble. I can always cook for you.”

Effie shook her head, patting his hand gently. “I realized something I actually like cooking for you. It makes me happy.”

Something gentle and warm crashed into Lyman’s heart. He nodded, smiling softly. “Then I’ll be looking forward to it.”

True to her word, Effie got to work and whipped up several of her best newly learned dishes-sautéed liver, a savory pork stir-fry, and a crisp Sber salad.

They weren’t quite restaurant quality, but the flavors were good, far better than anything she’d managed before.

After dinner, Lyman took the initiative to load the dishes into the dishwasher.

Grandma looked at the two of them and waved them away. “Don’t mind me, you two go on. Do whatever you need to do.”

Effie blushed, feeling the heat rise all the way to her ears.

“Let’s go,” she whispered to Lyman.

He squeezed her hand and led her down the hall.

Just as they were leaving, Effie caught Grandma muttering under her breath, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Her cheeks burned hotter, nearly aflame.

to he

Back in their room, Lyman closed the door and guided Effie over bed. She sat down, feeling the ” mattress dip as he joined her Her breath came shallow with nerves.

Lyman moved closer, gently brushing the hair from her forehead.

Effie’s breath caught, and she closed her eyes, bracing herself for a kiss.

But the kiss didn’t land on her lips—instead, Lyman pressed his lips softly to her forehead.

Surprised, Effie opened her eyes and glanced at him, a flicker of confusion in her gaze.

But Lyman just looked at her with concern, his voice gentle. “Does it still hurt?”

Effie realized he was talking about the bruise on her forehead-the one she’d gotten a few days ago when she’d fallen while trying to help Fidelia.