Page 89 of Not So Very Sensible

She laughed. “Okay. So you met this girl, you liked her, and then somehow you ended up engaged to Lucinda?”

He explained about his brother-in-law seeing them, and how the next day Lucinda had insisted on getting married.

“And the crazy thing is that all my family agreed. It’s like a conspiracy.”

Her brow lowered. “It does sound really weird. Like, your dad can’t afford any bad publicity. Maybe that’s why. He thought this would be good.”

“One hundred percent that’s why he wants this.” That, and because he wanted to keep the Steele money flowing into his campaign. “I just don’t get why Francine is so keen. I suspect she thinks Lucinda is more malleable, would fit into the family better. She said as much.”

“How would she know if Lucinda fits better than Ellie if she’s never met Ellie?”

“Because Wayne, her husband, might’ve mentioned that Ellie has blue hair.”

Her eyes sparked. “Really?”

He nodded.

“I like her already.”

“That makes two of us. I just wish my family would give her a chance. You know Francine even had Ellie come to this supposed engagement party last weekend?”

“What?”

“Right?” Fresh regret knotted within. “I think she invited Ellie especially so Ellie would see me and Lucinda.” He smiled without humour. “She just didn’t count on me seeing Ellie and deciding this had gone on long enough. I can’t do it. So I broke things off with Lucinda last night.”

“Wow! Good for you.”

“It’s insane the amount of pressure my dad especially is putting on me. So we haven’t said anything publicly. Just giving it time to settle.”

Charlene’s head tilted. “So you’re saying that Ellie doesn’t know the truth?”

“I haven’t even been able to contact her yet. I still can’t access Instagram, and I don’t even know her last name.”

“But surely if Francine knows, then she can tell you.”

“Yeah, you’d think that, but she’s ignoring my messages and calls.”

“Wow. Fun family dynamics with the Ferris family.”

“Welcome to my world. Get on board with Neville John Ferris or get lost.”

She studied him. “No wonder you’re feeling the pressure.”

“It’s been insane. Even my boss is Team Lucinda and has been talking of a promotion and making me a partner because of this ‘engagement.’“ He rabbit-eared the word. “Which is yet another thing my dad has threatened me with. He said he’ll make sure I won’t ever make partner if I do this.”

“And he’s got the connections to do that, hasn’t he?” At his nod, she winced. “Oh my goodness, Ethan. I’m so sorry.”

He shrugged. “I said if he did that, that I would just investigate becoming a full-time youth pastor.”

She chuckled. “And how did he receive that?”

“About as well as you can expect.”

Her head tilted, her expression growing thoughtful. “You know, we can look into that. You could possibly work part-time as a lawyer and do more youth work. There’s always need.”

“For paid positions?”

“There are some. Not as many as would be good to have, but hey, if God is in charge, then we can trust Him with this, right?”