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

second, Healy Etheridge, was married to Charis and had a son named Graham; the youngest, Fowler Etheridge, was married to Marcia and had a daughter,

different branches of the family business out of town, so they only came back

yet, she hadn't met the whole extended family

felt a flutter of

smiled, offering reassurance. "Don't worry. Luther's already picked out the gifts for everyone. All

hint of anxiety in her voice. "I just hope

"You have nothing to worry about.

the Etheridge family seemed harmonious,

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

talent left them no

her arm through Lyman's as

bright and bustling, with staff hurrying to set

the room, Bancroft sat in his usual spot. When

his face. "There you are! Come, sit with

nodded and

and Lindy were already there, smiling

Healy and Uncle Fowler's families were all seated. As Effie

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