Chapter Fourteen
Maisy’s older brother led Chase onto the front porch. Chase didn’t need a crystal ball to realize that Sean Gallagher wasn’t thrilled with his interest in Maisy.
“S-o-o,” Sean said, as soon as the front door closed behind them. He drew out the lone syllable, as if formulating his thoughts as he spoke. “What’s up with you and my sister?”
Chase gestured with his hands, unsure on how best to explain his feelings. “Not much until recently. We’ve spoken a couple of times on the phone, and I flew in today and we had lunch.”
“You met how?”
“On a flight from Chicago to Seattle.” It surprised Chase to learn Maisy hadn’t mentioned any of this to her brother.
Sean mulled this over. “Why are you here?”
Chase wasn’t sure how much to share or if it was even necessary. “Maisy did me a huge favor, which has helped open my eyes to certain things for which I’m grateful.”
Sean folded his arms and studied him as intently as any government official who’d come to inspect the bank records. “I love my sister, and I don’t want to see her hurt.”
“I have no intention of hurting Maisy,” Chase was quick to assure him.
“Maisy is a gentle soul and a bit na?ve. You seem like an upfront kind of guy, at least I hope you are. It’s clear you’ve got money, which leads me to wonder why you’re interested in my sister.”
“I think Maisy is amazing.”
“She is,” Sean agreed. “And kind and giving and a whole lot too trusting. I don’t mean to be blunt…Then again, maybe I do. Do you intend to see her again?”
Now it was Chase’s turn to feel uneasy. He carefully considered his words.
“Initially, I flew into Seattle for other reasons and arranged lunch for Maisy on the off chance she’d be available. As it happened, she was.”
Sensing Sean’s attitude, he didn’t feel Maisy’s brother would be interested in hearing how heavily his sister had played in Chase’s thoughts.
“That doesn’t answer my question. You live in Chicago and Maisy is in Seattle. Unless you have another reason to be in town, it doesn’t seem likely you’ll be here often, right?”
Chase wanted to see Maisy again. Admitting this to Sean wasn’t going to go down well, though. “I’m infrequently in Seattle.” This was the truth.
Sean nodded, as though pleased with this information. “Good.”
“And if I did continue to date Maisy, would you object?” Chase asked, thinking it was best to see the lay of the land…
“Yes.” Sean’s answer was direct and emphatic. “Not that I have anything against you per se. And obviously Maisy is a grown woman who can make her own decisions.”
“Then what is it?”
“Listen,” Sean said, his tone conciliatory. “Like I said, you seem like a nice enough guy, but surely you can see that you two have absolutely nothing in common.”
“As a matter of fact, I don’t,” Chase argued, unable to hide the attraction he felt toward Maisy. “Your sister is one of the most generous, caring women I have ever met.” In their few brief encounters, she’d managed to rattle his world.
“My point exactly,” Sean was quick to snap. “Maisy is far too sheltered for a man of the world like you.”
“I told you earlier I’d never purposely hurt your sister,” Chase said, hoping to reassure Sean.
A brief silence followed as Sean considered his response. “I’d like to believe that. However, the way I see it, hurting Maisy would be inevitable.”
“I disagree…”
“You’re a wealthy man, that car and driver say as much, and the fact you don’t need to worry about getting back to the airport at a certain time. Why is that?”
“I flew in on the company jet.”
With this news, Sean arched his thick brows. “A private jet. That tells me everything I need to know. As far as I’m concerned, it would be best if you forget ever seeing Maisy again.”
“Now, wait a minute—”
Chase wasn’t allowed to finish, as the front door opened and Maisy stepped onto the porch. Her eyes narrowed as she fiercely looked at her brother. “What’s going on out here?” she demanded.
“We’re talking,” Chase explained, when it didn’t appear that Sean was keen to answer.
“This entire conversation is about me, it seems,” she said, her gaze skipping from one man to the other.
Chase remained silent, letting Sean explain himself, since he was the one with the problem.
“Chase and I are clearing the air,” Sean said. “It’s really none of your concern.”
Maisy’s reaction was immediate. With her hands braced against her hips, she straightened her spine and with a raised voice insisted, “Seeing that you’re discussing me, it’s very much my concern.”
Her words were filled with irritation and challenge.
Sean raised his arms as though surrendering. “There’s no need to get upset. Chase and I are coming to an understanding, is all.”
“Understanding of what?” she insisted.
Sean cast a look at Chase and then shrugged, clearly unwilling to dig himself into a deeper hole. “Certain things.”
Maisy rolled her eyes. “Listen, Sean. Who I see or don’t see is frankly none of your business.” She turned her back to Chase as she squared off against her brother.
Sean looked chagrined, although he continued to stand his ground. “I don’t view it that way.”
“I don’t care how you view anything. I take it as a personal insult to me and to Chase that you would embarrass us both. You know nothing—”
“Now, Maisy—” Sean interrupted, as Maisy was building up steam with each word.
“Don’t Maisy me—” she flared back, and was about to speak her mind further when Sean broke in.
“I’m only doing what Dad would do if he was alive. He’d be asking Chase the same questions I am.”
Chase watched as the stiffness gradually left her shoulders, and after an awkward moment, Maisy nodded. “I know you mean well, but, Sean, this is completely unnecessary and extremely embarrassing.”
Turning around, with cheeks flushed, she offered Chase a weak smile. “I apologize for my brother and—”
Chase stopped her. “Sean was doing what any big brother would do.” He didn’t know that for a fact, as he’d never had a sister, but it sounded right.
The door opened again, and Patrick stepped outside, a mitt and a baseball in his hand. “Chase, do you want to toss a few balls before you go?” he asked, completely oblivious to the tension that surrounded them.
Before Chase could answer, Maisy said, “Sorry, sport, Chase was just about to head to the airport.”
“Okay, but next time stay longer, okay?”
“There probably won’t be a next time,” Sean said, and then gestured weakly when Maisy whirled around to confront him.
“But if there is,” Sean quickly added, “then maybe Chase could throw you a few balls.”
“Do you have time?” Patrick asked his big brother.
Sean ruffled the top of Patrick’s head. “Sure thing, kiddo.”
Patrick beamed with pleasure and skipped down the steps.
As Sean and Patrick left the porch, Maisy lowered her head. “I’m so sorry, Chase.”
“Don’t apologize.”
It looked as if Maisy was close to tears. She swallowed a few times and then cleared her throat before she offered him a weak smile. “You best not keep your driver waiting.”
This was her way of telling him she was ready for him to leave.
“It will be late by the time you land in Chicago,” she added, as if he needed incentive. “I can’t thank you enough for the lunch and the lovely afternoon.”
“It was one of the best days of my year, Maisy. I enjoyed every minute.”
She swallowed again, and when she spoke her voice was barely above a whisper. “I did, too, more than you know. Thank you again, Chase, and good-bye.”
She said it with such finality that it sounded as if she never expected to see or hear from him again.
Then, before he could stop her, she returned to the house and softly closed the door.
Chase had half a mind to follow her inside and assure her he had no intention of staying away, no matter what her brother had to say. He hesitated for a few moments, then headed down the porch steps. His mind swirled, reviewing his conversation with Sean.
It was growing dark as Chase approached the Town Car.
The driver stepped out and opened the rear passenger door.
As Chase climbed inside, he glanced back toward the house.
Patrick had gone inside to finish his homework.
The lights were on in the bedroom upstairs, and Chase wondered if that was Maisy’s room.
In that moment he knew, no matter what anyone thought or said, he wouldn’t be able to stay away from Maisy Gallagher.
She’d changed him far more than she knew.
This evening had given him his first taste of what it meant to be part of a family. A real family.
—
Four hours later, when his plane landed, Chase had already devised a convenient excuse to see Maisy again, but all in good time.
She’d been embarrassed and would need to sort through her feelings.
While he was eager to prove himself, there was no reason to look overeager or, worse, desperate.
He wanted to give Sean the impression that he’d taken his concerns seriously.
However, Chase had every intention of spending more time with Maisy.
When his phone buzzed, he felt his heart soar, hoping it might be her. Wishful thinking on his part.
Instead, it was Astrid.
“Astrid, hello.” Hearing from her was unexpected. He was pleased they’d parted on amicable terms, which allowed him to feel comfortable about his interest in Maisy.
“What time is it there?” she asked. “I can never figure out the different time zones between us. Math was never my strong suit.”
“It’s late,” he said, and then asked, “Are you enjoying the cruise?”
“Very much. Mom and I are having a blast. The trip is everything I imagined.”
“That’s great.”
“I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“Not at all,” he assured her. “I’m returning from a trip. Where are you?” he asked.
“We’re in New Zealand. This country is absolutely stunning. Have you ever been?”
“Not yet, but it’s on my bucket list. I’m pleased you’re enjoying yourself.”
“Mom and I are having a wonderful time,” she told him, and hesitated before adding, “I hope you don’t mind me reaching out, seeing that we really aren’t together any longer.
I just wanted to check in.” She paused. “And see how you’re feeling about our decision.
” When he didn’t answer right away, she continued.
“It’s just that I wanted you to know that I’m good with how we left things, and I hope you are, too. ”
“I am,” he assured her, then hesitated. He thought about mentioning Maisy, but decided against it. Their relationship was in its infancy stage. After his conversation with Sean, he felt the need to tread carefully when it came to pursuing her.
“I’m sorry I called so late.”
“Not a problem. I’m happy everything is working out with the cruise. Have fun.”
“I intend to. Tomorrow, Mom and I are touring vineyards in the area. From what I understand, the wine here is exceptional.”
Chase felt like he could use a glass himself. He needed to unwind after what had proven to be one of the most interesting days he’d spent in a very long while.
After the call was disconnected, Chase readied himself for bed.
His thoughts returned to the meal he’d shared with Maisy’s family, and he found himself smiling and realizing he’d enjoyed every minute.
This was unlike any meal he could remember from his own childhood.
With his mother gone, his dinners had usually been spent alone at the kitchen table.
His father often worked late or was out for some business dinner and rarely home until well past Chase’s bedtime.
For the most part, his meals were prepared by a nanny or a live-in cook.
At boarding school, he sat at long tables with other boys his age.
The meals were boisterous and loud, and the food was barely tolerable.
The difference between those memories and what he’d experienced tonight with the Gallaghers was stark, and the warm feelings left him hungry for more.