Chapter 8
Why was it that some people felt like hard work getting to know them while others felt like she’d known them all her life?
Case in point: She might’ve worked for Nicola, her boss, for the past three years, but she had never felt too close to her.
Same with Jackson, whom she’d known a similar amount of time.
Whereas Ethan, whom she’d known for less than twenty-four hours, felt like someone with the potential to be her missing half (if she believed in such a thing).
Not that she was missing anything—God knew He was her all—but Ethan complemented her so beautifully, she’d be inclined to think God couldn’t have crafted a more ideal match for her.
And then, with Ethan’s invitation to high tea, it seemed like he felt the same, with his smiles and their conversation twining fascination more tightly around her heart.
And now, with his very strong hints about wanting to come visit on Saturday, perhaps this wasn’t as one-sided an attraction as she’d feared.
Their comfy striped chairs were positioned in such a way as to make the most of the glorious view, but also so couples could hold hands.
And look, she mightn’t be as forward as her sister in giving a man a hint, but she wasn’t above placing her hand on the table in the hopes he might touch her fingers, or better yet, hold her hand.
But before he could do anything, their server appeared with a tray holding their cups and white teapots, plus little jugs of milk and a container holding raw sugar cubes. She nodded. “Thank you.”
Lifting the lid of the teapot, she peered inside. Good. Proper tea leaves that required strainers, not tea bags staining water.
“What are you doing?”
“Call me fussy, but I like to know it’s real tea and not just tea bags.”
“Isn’t that still real tea?”
“Mm, technically yes, but the bags can dilute the flavour. The best practice is to place tea leaves in a pre-warmed pot, then pour just-boiled water over it and let it steep until you reach the preferred flavour intensity.”
He grinned. “In my line of work, ‘best practice’ refers to many other things, so I like this version.”
“Some may think it’s pedantic, but it produces a better result. And if you’re paying this much for the experience, it might as well be the best, right?”
“You want people to get good value for what they pay for.”
“Exactly.”
They bantered back and forth some more, and then their tiered platter of goodies arrived.
Just like on Friday afternoon, they had an array of sandwiches, tiny pies, and sausage rolls.
The second tier held scones, jam, and cream.
And the top tier held sweet treats like lemon tarts, chocolate mousse, and several dainty portions of fruit and cream gateaux, as their helpful server explained.
“That looks amazing,” Ethan declared, then eyed Ellie. “As good as Friday’s efforts?”
“Madam was here on Friday?” the server asked.
“I’m a high tea addict, apparently.”
“Well, I hope you enjoy.”
And it didn’t matter if she’d partaken in something like this recently.
In some ways, this was even better. Because all of her attention could be on Ethan, who was fascinating to get to know.
She liked him, and he was so easy to talk to that they could talk about all kinds of things.
Travel, music, books, art, places they’d been, places they’d like to see.
She wasn’t sure if he was teasing or not, but he again mentioned the trip to Studio Ghibli that they should do together someday.
And while she’d never contemplated taking a trip with a man anywhere—except on a honeymoon in the faraway mists of “one day”—she was starting to wonder if that might be what he was hinting at.
Which made her feel as silly as Katie and inclined to see romance everywhere, but there was something so solid and reassuring about Ethan.
The way he talked. The way he mentioned various Bible verses, or recent sermons, or Christian camps that she was also familiar with.
Surely that couldn’t all be by manipulative design.
He had to know she’d do her due diligence and check that what he said was true.
But his sincerity and humble self-deprecation made her heart even softer towards him, so much that she barely noticed as the time flew, and the food was slowly eaten, and awareness of everything seemed to fade except Ethan’s dark eyes, which were fixed on her, as they had been for most of the meal.
A server asked if everything was satisfactory, and she nodded before asking for more hot water to refill her teapot. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”
But she didn’t come right back, not that it mattered as they kept on talking. It was only when another server passed that Ethan got his attention and asked whether Ellie’s hot water was coming soon.
“Of course. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Ethan smiled as the server hurried away. “Let’s hope his moment is faster than the other’s.”
She shrugged. “I’m sure they’re doing their best. It’s a busy time.”
“Still, I appreciate it. I know other people who’d be telling them off by now.” His face twisted.
Hmm. She wondered who it was who conjured that facial expression.
The server returned as promised and refilled her teapot. She stirred it, then poured out another cup and took a satisfying sip. Then smiled at Ethan. “Thanks for getting more hot water.”
“Of course. I want you to enjoy yourself.”
“I am. This is the best. Thank you.”
He smiled, his fingers grazing hers, and she gave a little shiver. If she trembled like that over an accidental touch, then how much more would she cope if he did what his eyes promised and kissed her?
He’d planned to do that last night, hadn’t he? This to-and-fro between trying to work out his intentions and just living in the moment was fast wearying her. Maybe instead of having a plan, she should just relax and let go.
“What are you thinking about so seriously?” he asked.
She sighed and allowed her hand to remain where it was as he shifted his to gently clasp it. “I’m not great at just relaxing and being in the moment. I like my lists, and to know where things are going.”
“You mean with us?”
She nodded.
His thumb brushed the thin skin on the back of her hand. “I like my lists too, so I know exactly what you mean. But I think we can trust God to work things out. I’ll come visit you, and you can come see me. We’ll make this work.”
“Really?”
“Ellie, I like you. A lot. And I’d like to continue exploring this, if that’s what you want,” he added, his expression suddenly uncertain.
She turned her hand so her fingers slid through his. “I’d like that too.”
He smiled at her, and his pupils darkened.
If they’d been alone she could’ve sworn he would lean in and kiss her.
But as they weren’t, and the hustle and bustle of a family—complete with crying baby—entering the room was hardly conducive to romantic moments, she made do with staying entrapped in his gaze.
Approaching their table, their server said, “I see you two appear to be finished here.”
“Finished with the food, yes,” Ethan said, before adding softly, “but definitely not finished with other things.”
Ellie’s heart skipped several beats, and if she’d been the braver sort, she would have leaned in and kissed him, regardless of the audience around them.
But she wasn’t, so she didn’t, and the moment soon passed as the crying baby’s wails ratcheted up to screaming, evoking several loud comments from other guests that someone should take the child away.
She winced. “Poor bub. And poor mum. It’s not easy to deal with crying infants.”
He nodded. “It looks like they’re here for a special occasion too.”
She glanced at the elderly man who was making loud comments about the impropriety of bringing a young child to high tea, and raised her eyebrows.
He shifted his glare away, complaining to his wife about young folk these days.
“Want to go?” Ethan asked.
“Not really, but it looks like they’re wanting to clear our space for the next booking.”
They retrieved their jackets and headed back to the lounge, where a smirking Katie sat beside the fireplace, her book in hand, a half-full cup of tea abandoned nearby.
“Katie?”
Katie shrieked and jumped, then patted her chest. “Oh my gosh! Don’t sneak up on me. I was right in the good part.”
“What are you reading?” Ethan asked.
“The Mysteries of Udolpho. I was supposed to read it for university, but I never did, so I’m making up for lost time now.” She eyed them. “Did you have fun?”
“It was very nice,” Ethan said.
“Even if someone here only had Earl Grey,” Ellie teased.
“Something I plan to rectify this coming weekend when I come to visit.”
“You’re coming to Wattle Vale?” Katie exclaimed.
“Your sister plans to educate me in the art of tea.”
“Good luck. She’s a bit of a tea snob, so brace yourself.”
“She’s also promised to make me the best cup of coffee in my life.”
“Ooh, them’s fighting words.” Katie grinned. “Even if it’s probably true. She is the best barista in the family.”
“Well, I’ll look forward to seeing if it is true.”
“Hmm.” Katie eyed him, then pushed to her feet. “You know, you’re not bad, are you?”
“I think badness is another overrated quality in a man.”
She laughed. “I do hope you’ll come and see us. See Ellie, I mean. She’s always focused on work and never dates, so you’ll be good for her.”
“Katie!”
“What? It’s true.” She turned back to Ethan. “You’ll keep in touch, won’t you?”
“Absolutely.”
Katie nodded. “Then you have my blessing.” She turned to Ellie. “Are we leaving now?”
“We probably need to if we’re going to get home before it’s dark.”
“Then, in that case, bye Ethan.” Katie hugged him, then grinned. “Oops. I probably shouldn’t have done that. Ellie’s not much of a hugger, and I don’t want to steal your hug.” She turned to Ellie. “I’ll go visit the restroom while you say your goodbyes; then I’ll meet you in the car.”
“You checked out okay? Everything was paid for?”
“Yes, Mum.” Katie rolled her eyes, then winked at Ethan, grabbed her book and phone, and sashayed away.