He nodded, even as part of him wondered why EJ had never told her family about his advice to quit. “I think it was time.”
“Well, if you think so, then that makes me feel better.” Her brow pleated. “But do you think she can ever make money off this app of hers?”
Wow. He knew that EJ liked to keep her cards close to her chest, but this seemed extreme. Didn’t Mrs. Bennett know just how much money Dream Match could make? The potential to float Dream Match on the stock exchange meant EJ would be able to afford to buy her parents ten houses in the pricey Southern Highlands. Why hadn’t she been more open about this with her own mother? Concern for her grew. It was way past time that they got honest about things. “She’ll be fine.”
“Really?”
He nodded, looking her squarely in the eyes, eyes the exact same shade of blue as EJ’s. “I promise.”
She heaved in a deep breath, as if this had been troubling her. “I’m just a little concerned because she hasn’t kept in touch very much lately.”
“She’s been very busy.”
“Well”—she patted his arm—“I’m glad she’s got you to keep her on the straight and narrow.”
He found a tight smile and nodded. He didn’t know how much straight and narrow guiding he was doing. But the fact that EJ’s mum was saying things like that suggested she was equally concerned. “It never hurts to keep praying for her.”
“Who are we praying for?” Katie Bennett asked, drawing close with Elinor.
“Your sister.”
“Oh! How is EJ? Every time I see her she seems a little distracted.”
He explained about her busyness, which seemed to satisfy Katie, but Elinor kept watching him. Elinor wasn’t the most talkative of the Bennett girls, but when she spoke people seemed to pay attention. She was a noticer, sensible, and as clever as EJ but in her own creative way.
Her eyebrows lifted in a manner reminiscent of EJ’s “Is she merely busy? Or is she busy getting distracted?”
“Yes?”
She huffed. “That’s not really an answer.”
“Look, I can only report what I see, and I think it’s a mix of both. Which is why my best advice is that we keep praying for her.”
She nodded.
Mrs. Bennett called for her, allowing him a moment to escape and focus on his own mother, whose birthday it was today. Shewas chatting with some of the other church ladies who were offering their good wishes.
“Oh, and here is your handsome son.” Elderly Amelia Bates smiled up at him. “You’re such a good boy, coming all this way today.”
“It’s not that far,” he demurred. “Especially for such an important occasion.” He turned to his mother. “Are you just about ready to go?”
She nodded, and the other ladies wished her a happy birthday.
He escorted his mum to where his father was outside, peering up at the church’s gutters while the pastor explained about the urgent need to fix them. Dad’s role on a farm meant he was a jack-of-all-trades and had experience in everything from fencing to excavating to carpentry and finance. He’d been on the church board for years, even if sometimes lambing season or sick cows meant he couldn’t always be in church on Sundays.
“Ready, Dad?” Jordan murmured.
Dad nodded, then gave his two cents’ worth, suggesting a working bee next Saturday, before giving his apologies that he needed to leave now to celebrate Meg’s birthday.
“It’s important to celebrate with our loved ones,” Pastor Bryan agreed.
They crossed the car park, then made their way down the little lane that led to a park and the main street. A short walk down the hill and they were at the terraces that housed a number of stores, including an architect’s office, a hair salon, and an antique shop. Sandwiched between the last two was The Silver Teapot, one of the town’s cultural institutions for two decades or so.
He opened the door, a tinkling bell announcing their arrival.
“They’re here!” Katie called, before welcoming them in, then going to lock the front door to ensure other people knew they were closed and to stay away.
Inside, a collection of delicate china decorated the walls, tall timber cabinets holding a selection of cellophane-packaged teas, packets of biscuits and cakes, teacup paraphernalia, and books appropriate for tea parties. Yep, so his scene.
