Page 113 of Not So Very Sensible

“Ethan, my daughter needs to know you’re a man who’s willing to chase her. And if you’re strong enough to stand up against your father, then I think you’re strong enough to chase after my daughter. Especially if you’re the kind of man I think you might actually be.”

He pressed his lips together. How long had it been since he’d heard validation from an older salt-of-the-earth man like this? Far too long. “I only want to be good to her. And it’s time to make things right.”

“Then go make things right. Stop standing here talking to me and go find her.”

He nodded and exited, then paused at the top of several rickety steps at the sight of the woman crouched on a rusted iron chair, head in her hands, tears dripping down her face. Ellie, as he had never seen her before. His heart broke.

He took a step, and the step squeaked, drawing her attention to him.

She immediately stood, her movements stiff, as if ready to flee.

“Wait! Ellie, please don’t go. I just want to talk to you.”

She shook her head, and as much as he wanted to obey her father’s advice, another part of him wanted to respect her wishes and let her know that he wouldn’t force this discussion on her if she wasn’t ready.

Which left them in this space of uncertainty while he wondered what to do. Lord, help her trust me enough to want to hear me out.

Chapter 21

Any second now and her chest would cave in. What was he doing here? Wasn’t he engaged? How could she ask him? Oh, why did he have to see her looking like this, with red tear-shrivelled eyes and a giant pimple about to erupt on her nose?

“Ellie?” He took another step towards her.

She inched away. “What—what are you doing here?”

He held out a small package. “I wanted to give you this.”

“I don’t want anything from you.”

“Please?”

She eyed it, then him, then took the pale blue tissue-paper wrapped gift. It was the size of a book. And when she opened it—her heart thudded. He’d remembered?

“I remember you telling me that you were looking for a copy of The Nonesuch, one with an Old Masters cover. Is this the one you meant?”

She nodded, her throat tight. Should she accept this? Was this a bribe? Or a peace offering?

“It was my mother’s.”

“No.” She handed it back. “I can’t accept this.”

“Yes, you can. She’s not here to enjoy those books anymore, and I want you to.”

Her hand dropped, and she placed the book on the chair beside her. “Was that it?”

“No.” He took a step closer. “I’ve missed you so much. And I wanted—needed—to talk to you.”

“What about? Aren’t you engaged?”

He shook his head, and her heart leapt.

“That was never real.”

“But the engagement party.”

“Was a sham.”

“But it was on Facebook.”