Page 119 of Not So Very Sensible

Having grown up with a family who was cool, aloof, and all about agendas and appearances, Ethan felt it strange and liberating to be with a family very much the opposite. The Bennetts were warm and engaging, their straightforward affection shown as much by their good-natured teasing as it was in their hugs and kisses. Even Mr. and Mrs. Bennett seemed to still like each other, which felt so odd to him. He had few memories of his parents’ mutual affection, and most of the parents of people he knew who were still together seemed to tolerate each other at best.

But he could see how when people put faith and family first, rather than politics and pride, it could lead to feeling secure enough that they didn’t have a need to try to be something they weren’t. Like he and Ellie. She kept smiling at him, relaxed, even when teased by her sisters. Another sister, Emma-Jane, had made a surprise visit, along with her boyfriend, Jordan. She’d expressed surprise at not connecting the dots and realising the man she’d met at a few city functions was Ethan.

“But now that I do know, well, I’m happy to spill the beans on anything you want to know about Ellie.”

“Hey!” Ellie protested.

“It’s okay. She’s always been the sensible one, so there’s not a lot to tell.”

“Everybody always says that like it’s a bad thing,” Ellie grumbled. “I’m not so very sensible, not always.”

He gently squeezed her hand. “I think it’s very reassuring to know there are no skeletons in your closet.”

“Is that because you don’t want your dad to be embarrassed?” Katie asked.

A hush fell over the room, and he realised this was something that needed to be said here, now, so all the Bennetts heard. “My father has an agenda a mile wide. And it’s no secret that he’s looked for ways to improve his public image and boost his ratings in the polls. And while my family might have schemed with Lucinda and her family to try and make that happen, it was never my intention to do that.” He looked at Ellie. “Lucinda’s mother has a few months left to live, and she told me that she and my mother wanted Lucinda and I to marry.”

Mrs. Bennett frowned. “But didn’t you say that your mother was a Christian?”

He nodded.

“Is Lucinda?”

“She’s said she claims faith, but I don’t see it in her actions.”

“Hmm. Do you really think your mother, a good Christian woman, would hold you to something so ridiculous as wanting to see you married to a woman who doesn’t truly follow the Lord?”

Huh. When she put it like that, it did seem weird.

And now that he thought about it, perhaps in saying “care for Lucinda,” Mum had meant to speak the truth to Lucinda so she could truly be saved. Like a kaleidoscope, the pieces shifted, and he could see anew. Guilt lifted. His heart squeezed. Had some of this mess been his fault, after all? Well, obviously it had. But could his misinterpretation have added to things?

“To thine own self be true,” Mrs. Bennett continued, “and follow God. Not your mother’s wishes, not your father’s whims, but walk in God’s will.”

“Well said.” Mr. Bennett shifted on the couch and reached towards the tray on the coffee table holding leftovers from the day. The family with the missed booking had not returned, necessitating a lot of extra work for nothing. Although, given the fact that Ethan had showed up here with Charlene still in tow, and Emma-Jane and Jordan and their cousin Annabelle were visiting too, the leftover food was perfect for an impromptu party.

And while there was no truffle-dusted anything here, he again appreciated the humble informality. It was honest food, delicious and filling. Just like the Bennetts who had made it.

“So, what happens if Ellie gets the job in Canberra?” Katie asked.

“Job?” He turned to Ellie. “What job?”

She told him about an upcoming interview, which drew new determination. Very well.

“It’s called a long-distance relationship,” Emma-Jane said.

He shrugged. “Or I could get a job in Canberra too.”

Ellie turned to him. “What? No. You have a job in Sydney.”

“I decided when my father threatened my chance at promotion that I didn’t really want to work in an environment that would allow for that. So I’ve been looking for a new job, plus I’ve been investigating starting youth pastor studies. I really enjoy knowing that what I’m doing makes a difference.”

“Aw.” Katie’s exclamation of approval was echoed by her mother.

“Katie has about ninety-nine percent of Mum’s DNA,” Ellie stage-whispered.

“I can promise you I only have about one percent of my dad’s,” Ethan replied.

“Good to know,” she said, studying him.