Chapter 170

"Mom, don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing." Suzan was more anxious about the child than anyone else.

She mulled over her next steps, wondering what would be best.

...

Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, the holidays were here.

It was Effie's first Christmas since marrying Lyman.

She took it seriously-after all, she was the new wife in the family.

First, she visited her grandmother, bringing along a generous basket of gifts and staying to share a meal.

Lyman had wanted to invite her grandmother over to their place for the holidays, thinking it would be livelier with her there. But Grandma preferred the company of her neighbor these days, and politely declined the invitation.

Effie didn't push it-she visited often enough anyway.

After dinner, she and Lyman headed home together.

This year, they were having Christmas Eve dinner at the old family house.

Uncle Healy and Uncle Fowler had both returned with their

eldest was Lyman's father; the second, Healy Etheridge, was married to Charis and had a son named Graham; the youngest, Fowler Etheridge, was married to Marcia

the family business out of town, so they only

Effie and Lyman hadn't held a wedding reception yet, she hadn't met the

flutter of nerves in

picked out the gifts for everyone. All you have to do is hand them

of anxiety in her voice. "I just

cool. "You have nothing to worry about. I'll be

Etheridge family seemed harmonious, but

had long resented Lyman's control over the business, but out of respect for

talent left them no room to

breath and slipped her arm through Lyman's as they stepped into the

bustling, with staff hurrying to set

of the room, Bancroft sat in

lit up his face. "There you are! Come,

and guided Effie

there, smiling as they watched

As Effie and Lyman entered, every pair of eyes turned in their

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