I Love You, Miss Genius

Billy was secretly a chess fanatic. He could not wait to find out what the manual was called so he could study it in private.

Bonnie's lips curled into a grin. A hint of mischief flashed in her eyes. Then she pretended to ponder deeply, rubbing her chin as she did.

"It's been such a long time since I've read it. I can't recall it off the top of my head. I'm going to need some time."

He waved his hand and said, "It's fine. Take your time. I'm not in any hurry, anyway. Let's continue our game. Then, tell me about what you see as the game goes on. That'll allow me to study chess differently, too."

She feigned surprise and said, "I'm seriously not good at chess, Billy. I don't think it's a good idea for you to be studying chess the way I do. The last thing I want to do is lead you astray."

"It'll be fine. I'll know what to do." He gestured for her to look at the game, that had only gone halfway through. "Come on, keep playing."

She had been playing reservedly earlier.

her three moves to turn

if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. However, her next move would

across the board, he was checkmated. Victory was supposedly within his grasp,

at the chessboard. He even wondered if he was seeing things wrongly. So, he closed his eyes and opened them again. He did it multiple times before he had to admit that this wasn't an

the match in just one move. The way Barrett moved his

in his chest. Looking at her with clear admiration, he asked, "Would you please show me how you did it, Barrett?" Billy had never been

tell him the core of the principle in an easily understood

was long used to the excited look

Shepherd.' To neutralize Billy on the chessboard was like taking

a thumbs up