Chapter Eleven #2
Maisy shook her head and grinned. “No way. I intend to enjoy every bit of the Thousand Island dressing smothering the Dungeness crab. Oh, what a treat. Thank you.”
He enjoyed her appreciation. For his own lunch he chose Hood Canal fried oysters, which were said to be some of the most sought-after oysters on the West Coast. He rarely ate fried foods, but, like Maisy, this day called for something special.
The waiter entered with a bottle of champagne he’d preordered. Bollinger, from France and one of the most beloved champagnes in the world. He doubted Maisy would appreciate it as much as he did. Doubtful she would know the difference.
“A toast,” he said, and raised the flute after the bubbles had dissolved enough for them to taste. “To paying it forward.”
“When are you finally going to tell me what you did? At least give me a hint.”
“I will, I promise.”
“You did something for Laura, didn’t you?”
“I’m not saying.”
Frustrated, Maisy groaned and then smiled, convinced whatever he’d chosen to do involved her friend. And really it was the least he could do after the way he’d threatened Laura.
He raised the champagne flute, and she touched the rim of her glass to his and met his eyes, smiling. He waited until she took the first sip. Her eyes widened. “This is very good.”
Her enjoyment pleased him. He’d underestimated her, and not for the first time. She knew good champagne when she tasted it.
“It’s my favorite,” he said.
“I can understand why.”
Their lunch was delivered, and Maisy eyed the salad like it was a Renoir painting.
“This is a work of art. Just look at all that crab so beautifully displayed. It’s almost a shame to eat it.
No worries, I intend to savor every bite.
” She reached for her fork, dug in, and then closed her eyes in delight.
Chase enjoyed his oysters, too, mainly because he couldn’t help watching Maisy savor each bite of her salad.
Most of the women he had dated, and there were only a few that held his attention beyond a few outings, made ordering a simple meal as complicated as explaining compound interest to a first-grader.
He swore it often took as long as five minutes to order a salad, and the main course even longer. He hadn’t the patience for such women.
Surprisingly, they didn’t lack conversation. Maisy recalled a time when she was about nine, when the family had taken a trip to the ocean to dig for razor clams. “Mom made the most delicious soup with those clams. It is one of my fondest memories of being with my dad.”
Chase understood. With her father working retail, that likely meant weekends away were rare and treasured times.
After finishing her salad, Maisy leaned back in her chair. “Okay, I’ve waited long enough. Fess up?”
Chase smiled, something he’d found himself doing from the minute he walked into Gallagher Jewels and saw Maisy. “It took a bit of finagling, but I was able to arrange a full-ride scholarship for Laura to finish her schooling.”
Maisy’s mouth sagged open in shock.
Chase continued. “The scholarship includes a substantial living allowance so Laura can quit the two part-time jobs you mentioned.”
Maisy continued to stare at him as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“The stipend will cover an apartment I found for her in a good neighborhood with schools within walking distance.”
He watched Maisy as he went on to explain more of the details, the connections and favors he’d called in to make it all happen.
Maisy listened intently and said nothing.
He hadn’t been sure what response to expect. Gratitude? Certainly surprise. Appreciation? What he hadn’t considered was several unnerving minutes of silence. Before he could ask if there was anything wrong, Maisy burst into tears.
Chase was stunned. He didn’t know how to act, and so he sat stiff and silent until Maisy composed herself.
She used the linen napkin to dry her eyes and then made a desperate search in her purse until she found a tissue to clear her nose. It took her even longer to speak. “That is the most amazing, the most wonderful, the most…most incredible thing.” She paused as her voice wavered. “Thank you.”
He nodded, taking in her words. Tears were the last thing he’d anticipated from her, and yet they left him feeling like he was on top of the world. Maisy had been right. She’d told him he’d experience this euphoria, and he had.
“You were right, you know,” he felt obliged to tell her.
“About what?” she asked, eyeing him above the tissue, which she continued to hold against her nose.
“It felt good knowing that I could help Laura and Bella. You told me I wouldn’t understand until I performed an act of kindness myself.
You implied that I’d feel blessed, which I found somewhat amusing.
I send money to charities all the time. But this was different.
After getting everything set up for Laura, I felt great. ”
“What made you decide to help her?” Maisy asked. “I get that you were rude to her, but this is above and beyond anything I’ve ever heard of anyone doing, especially for someone they hardly know.”
“I was rude,” he agreed, although he hated admitting it. “You mentioned her financial struggles, so I decided to help. It must be difficult for her to hold down two jobs, attend classes, and be a single mother.”
“But…that’s so much money.”
“I’m a rich man, Maisy.” He wasn’t bragging, he was simply stating a fact.
“Thank you,” she whispered, and her voice cracked with gratitude. “You couldn’t have found a more deserving woman.”
Maisy returned her tissue to her purse and seemed to gather herself together once again.
“I know what you mean, though, about that good feeling. Last night, Mom and I went out with a group of volunteers from church to distribute sandwiches and socks to the homeless living on the streets in Seattle.”
Chase started. “Isn’t that dangerous, especially being out at night like that?”
“Not in the least. Our group has developed relationships with that community, so they look for us and are always so grateful. They never take more than they need. We didn’t get home until after two and I could hardly sleep, wishing there was some way I could do more.”
Chase wanted to groan at his own lack of sympathy and compassion, thinking about how he’d treated the homeless man living in the alley next to the Furst Bank building.
Security had forced him to move, but he’d returned a few days later.
Chase had intended to get the authorities involved to make sure when he left this time it would be for good.
And here were Maisy and her mother caring for the very people Chase had so heartlessly dismissed. He was ashamed of himself.
The server reappeared then with a selection of dessert options. Maisy wiped away her tears and listened attentively as the man went into infinite detail over each selection. Once he finished, he looked expectantly for Maisy to make her choice.
With her hands resting against her stomach, she heaved a reluctant sigh. “They all look delicious, but I’m afraid I’m completely full.”
When he looked at Chase, he also declined dessert.
After coffee they stood to leave, and Maisy surprised him by coming around the table and hugging him. “Thank you, again,” she whispered. “You can’t imagine what this will mean to Laura and Bella.”
Her actions caught him unawares, and for an awkward moment he froze, his arms dangling at his sides. It didn’t take him long to respond, wrapping Maisy in a tight embrace.
It felt right to hold her in his arms. More right than anything he’d experienced in a very long while.