Chapter 16 #3
“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?”
He drew in a deep breath and nodded. “Do you mind praying for me?”
“I was just about to offer.”
He bowed his head as Charlene prayed, then felt a sense of peace waft over him, stealing away a smidge of the stress that had been hammering his heart all week.
There was so much to pray about. His job. His family. His future. Lucinda. And Ellie.
“And Lord, we commit Ellie to You as well. You know exactly where she is, what’s going on. And Lord, You know how Ethan can find her. Please make a way so that they can connect again, and if You want them together, help Ethan to trust You to make a way. Amen.”
“Amen,” he echoed, his voice raspy.
He blew out a breath and sat back in his seat. “Thanks.”
She was frowning. “Remind me again, what have you done to find Ellie?”
He explained about looking for her in various cafés.
“Aren’t you supposed to have good research skills?”
“They’re okay.”
“Then maybe do a search in various Facebook groups for Ellie and her sister—what was her name?”
“Katie.”
“Then do a search, add in café, Christian, church, graphic design, and see what happens.”
“I tried, but I’m locked out of my Facebook and Insta accounts. I, uh, forgot my passwords.”
“Seriously? You and your unsavvy tech skills.” She shook her head. “Well, do a Google search for the same.”
He winced. “I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Hey, give yourself a break. You’ve been under a lot of pressure,” she said kindly.
“I really appreciate the chance to talk to somebody sensible about this.”
“It’s a lot. I feel for you. But what’s more, I’ll be praying for you. And I’ll talk to some of my friends and see if there’s anybody who knows about a youth pastor position open somewhere nearby.”
“I don’t care where it is. If my boss is prepared to kowtow to my dad and political pressure, then I’m happy to work somewhere else.” Maybe even his friend Aidan’s office had a vacancy.
“You don’t need the money?”
His mum’s inheritance had boosted his trust fund. “It doesn’t need to be a concern.”
“Would that we all need not have such concerns.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I’ll be praying. And hey, if you need a wingman or a wingwoman to come hunting in Southern Highlands cafés, let me know. I don’t mind an escape to the country every now and then.”
He eyed her. “Are you free tomorrow?”
“Wow! Someone is super keen. But no, sorry, I’m busy this weekend. But the following I could be.”
“Let’s aim for that, then. I’ve got a mountain of work I need to do this weekend because of all this drama, and Dad wants me at a function tomorrow night.”
“The campaign launch?”
He rolled his eyes. “Can’t wait.”
“Is this with or without Lucinda?”
He shook his head. “Definitely without. I told Dad I’m not doing appearances with her. We’re over. And it’ll only be a matter of time before people realise it when they don’t see us together.”
“So tricky. But then, she made this mess in the first place, right?”
“Exactly. So I don’t feel too sorry for her.” His nose wrinkled. “That sounds callous, when her mum is dying.”
“Poor thing. But still, that’s no excuse for lying.” She studied him. “You just need to remember whose son you really are, and that He has good plans for you.” She pointed to the ceiling.
He nodded. Talking with Charlene was a great reminder to keep the main thing the main thing: that he was God’s child, and His heavenly Father could be trusted in all things.
Including finding Ellie.