Page 63 of A Whim and a Prayer

She dropped her pawn back into place with a shy chew of her smile. “Gosh, Beck, you’re so smart!” Squinting at the chess board, she immediately went for her queen.

Beck cleared his throat, stopping her cold. “Sorry, Jewels, but that’s a move you want to avoid too—bringing your queen out too early.”

Julia jerked her fingers away as if the queen had scalded her hand.

He chuckled as he leaned in with arms crossed on the table. “I know that seems like a good move because the queen is so powerful, kiddo, but while you’re attacking a pawn with your queen, your opponent will develop pieces while attacking your queen at the same time. That forces you to move her again and again, which loses time and puts you behind.” He motioned toward the board. “A better play would be to move a knight to f3 or c3 where it’s supported by pawns or other pieces.”

Grating her lip, Julia nodded and did just that, then plopped back in her seat with a heavy sigh. “Gosh, Beck, do you think I’ll ever be as good as you?”

“Better,” he said with an encouraging smile. “This is only our first lesson, Jewels, and chess is not an easy game to learn. But you’re starting early, so you’ll be a pro in no time.”

She bounced back, eyes twinkling. “Oh, I hope so, Beck. My grandfather gives a first lesson to each of his grandkids when they turn thirteen, and I want to surprise him.”

The front door squealed open and Winnie rushed in along with the smell of woodsmoke and damp leaves from outside. She slammed the door and tossed her coat over the coatrack before turning to peek into the living room. The blood immediately drained from her face, and it was all Beck could do to hold back a grin.

Talk about surprise!

A knot bobbed in her throat several times. “What are you d-doing here?” she asked, the strain in her voice a perfect complement to the strain in her face.

“Well, hello to you too, Pooh.” Beck lounged back in his chair with a casual fold of arms, searing her with a gaze that instantly broiled her cheeks.

She made a poor attempt at a smile as she readjusted her purse on her shoulder. “Sorry. You just took me by surprise, that’s all. It’s good to see you, Beck.”

“Beck’s teaching me to play chess!” Julia piped up.

The excitement in her sister’s tone softened the stiff look on Winnie’s face. “Good for you, Jewels”—her gaze shifted to Beck’s with a squirm of a smile—“you’ll be teaching him in no time, I’ll bet.”

“That’s a pretty safe wager, I’d say.” Beck glanced at his watch. “Your mom said your dad hopes to be home by six, so we’ll eat as soon as he walks through the door.”

She blinked. “You’re staying for dinner?”

He tipped his head, staving off another grin. “Yeah—is that a problem?”

“No.” She scrunched her shoulders with a bloom of color in her cheeks, an apology in her tone. “It’s just that I have a paper to write after, so I can’t really visit now.” She nodded toward the stairs as she slowly backstepped in that direction. “You … you understand, Beck, right?”

Oh, yeah, he understood all right. His best friend and the love of his life was avoiding him once again. “Sure, Pooh. After all—I’m here to teach Jewels chess …” He paused, letting the rest of his sentence hang in the air unsaid. Not to see you.

Her cheeks pinked once more as she nodded, avoiding his eyes. “Okay, see you later …” She whirled to head up the stairs and then stopped on the third step, profile in play as she spoke over her shoulder. “Uh … whose idea was it to give lessons to Jewels anyway?”

“Your mother’s.” His tone was flat. Like his patience with Winnie at the moment.

“Figures,” she muttered as she stomped up the steps.

“I’m so sorry, Beck.” Julia’s voice was quiet.

He looked up, the sheen in Julia’s blue eyes twisting his heart. It was bad enough Winnie was doing this to him, but to a precious little sister with a heart as deep as a well? Not fair. He swallowed hard. “What for, Jewels?” He winked. “Trying to start with your queen?”

She shook her head, his tease unsuccessful. “That Winnie is avoiding you, but you’ll win in the end, I just know it.”

He stared at her, wishing he knew it too. “Thanks, Jewels, and so will you—in chess, if I have anything to say about it, and I do. So, let’s get back to busin—”

The squeal of the front door interrupted for a second time as more smells of autumn entered along with Winnie’s father. Closing the door, he slung his winter coat over the rack and turned, face lighting up when he saw Beck in the living room. He strode in with hand outstretched and a broad smile.

“Beck, my boy—where on earth have you been? It’s about time Winnie invited you to dinner again.”

Beck rose to shake his hand with a lopsided smile. “I’ve been busy with work and studying, sir, but for the record, Winnie didn’t invite me—Charity did.” He felt heat ring his collar at his use of Mrs. D’s name. “Uh, Mrs. D asked me to call both of you by your given names, sir, so I hope that’s okay?”

Mitch paused mid hug with Jewels, eyes in a squint. “She did, did she?” He kissed Julia’s head with a wry smile. “Well, that can’t be too innocent, now can it?”