Chapter Twenty-Four
While Patrick scarfed down his “snack,” Maisy flopped onto the bed with her arms outstretched. Her back landed against the soft mattress as she released a deep sigh.
“Maisy, look,” Patrick said, holding out the partially eaten club sandwich. “There are three pieces of bread here.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” she said, reminding him of his manners.
“Oops.” He made a display of swallowing. “This is the best sandwich in the entire world. It’s got everything in it. Do you want a bite?”
“Thanks, but no thanks.” She planted her hands over her full stomach.
Still eating, Patrick joined her, leaning against the side of the bed.
Maisy straightened. “Did you have a good time with Chase?” she asked, although she already knew the answer.
“The best ever.” He raced into the common area and pulled out the kid-size jersey, along with one Chase had purchased for her. She’d rather he’d not been so extravagant, but couldn’t find it in her heart to be upset. He’d planned everything perfectly, right down to the last detail.
Maisy closed her eyes. She was falling for Chase. By all that was right, warning bells should be ringing like Big Ben in her head, reminding her that whatever was happening between them wouldn’t last. Hard as she tried to listen, those bells remained silent.
Patrick finished his snack, which was more like a lunch, and started sorting out the baseball cards.
Maisy was on an emotional high. She knew Chase had been concerned when Simon asked to speak to her privately.
To be fair, she’d been unsettled herself.
It didn’t take a private detective to figure out what he wanted to know.
It was only natural that Chase’s father had questions about Maisy’s relationship with his son.
She was aware she was nothing like the women Chase had previously dated.
Nor was she wealthy, which likely made her suspect when it came to his own financial situation.
For that matter, she didn’t have a college degree or any other social cachet or connections. Simon was doing his due diligence when it came to her relationship with his son, so she didn’t take offense.
The thing was, Simon Furst had surprised her.
No, he’d more than surprised her. He’d shocked her.
His questions, at least the first few, had to do with Michelle, Chase’s mother.
He’d wanted to hear about the people who knew Michelle and what she’d learned.
Maisy had filled in the details as best she could.
He’d listened intently, nodded several times, and then said, “My son is infatuated with you.”
Maisy had found no disapproval in his comment. “The feeling is mutual.”
Simon went silent for a long moment, as if carefully considering his words. “You’re not like any woman he’s ever dated.”
“I can believe that, and honestly, he isn’t like any man I’ve ever dated, either.”
Simon had smiled.
“Do you care for him?” he’d asked next.
“Very much.” She hadn’t been comfortable with anything but the truth.
He’d nodded. “You aren’t the woman I would have chosen for him. You have nothing to offer in a way that would enhance business relationships or social standing.”
“I imagine I’m not.” Maybe she should have been offended by the comment, but she wasn’t. Simon spoke the truth. “If you disapprove of me, I understand. I have nothing to offer Chase but my heart.”
“I suppose you find the fact my son is a wealthy man attractive.”
She lowered her head so he wouldn’t see her smile.
“Actually, I find Chase’s wealth a detriment.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s a huge disadvantage.
The truth is, I’d rather he was an electrician like my brother or a salesman the way my father was.
I care deeply for Chase, but he has little concept of delayed gratification or doing without.
When we first met, I found him to be rude and inconsiderate. ”
Simon’s eyebrows arched upward. “I see, and you’re right. My son can often be self-absorbed, although I can honestly say his attitude toward others has changed since he met you.”
It did Maisy’s heart good to hear that.
“It took me some time to realize your appeal,” he continued.
“Oh?” She wasn’t sure if she should be insulted or not.
“You’ve given my son a taste of something he’s never known.”
“And what’s that?” She couldn’t help thinking about Chase mashing potatoes and doing his best to pretend meatloaf was his favorite dinner.
“Family life. That’s unfortunately something I was unable to give my son.
He was young when his mother left and then handed over to a series of nannies and housekeepers.
I did my best to give him structure and to teach him boundaries by having him attend boarding school.
It was all I could do at the time. However, I failed Chase when it came to being part of a family.
You, your siblings, and your mother have shown him what it’s like to belong, to have roots and look beyond oneself, and for that I’m grateful. ”
Maisy hardly knew what to say.
“I noticed how attached he’s become to young Patrick. Never heard him talk more about a kid than that boy. And your older brother. Steve, is it?”
“Sean,” she corrected.
“Right. Chase seems determined to win him over and prove he’s sincere.”
Maisy couldn’t have held back a smile had she tried.
“As you might have guessed, I’ve had my doubts about you. Chase assured me once we met, I’d feel differently.”
“And do you?”
Instead of answering, he grew thoughtful and silent. A faraway look came over him, as if he were remembering something from long ago. “I married for love once. Unfortunately, it didn’t end well.”
Maisy assumed he was referring to Chase’s mother. “I’m sorry.”
“I tried marriage twice more and failed both times. I don’t want my son to make the same mistakes I did.”
Maisy didn’t want that for Chase, either.
The rest of their conversation was more an exchange of information.
He somehow knew the broad details of her father’s sudden death and Gallagher Jewels.
Information that surely must have come from Chase, or more likely from a background check; Simon Furst wasn’t a fool. Naturally, he’d had her investigated.
“Anything else you care to know?” she’d asked, after a less-than-comfortable silence.
“No,” Simon said and shook his head. “You may go. I imagine my son is champing at the bit to make sure I haven’t scared you off.”
“You haven’t.” She stood and started for the door, then turned back. “Thank you, Mr. Furst.”
“You’re welcome. I have a feeling we’re going to have a long relationship, in which case you should call me Simon.”
“All right, Simon. And you may refer to me as Maisy.”
He’d grinned, and she’d opened the door to find Chase and Patrick waiting for her on the other side. Simon had made a good assessment of her feelings for Chase. She didn’t have time to reassure him all was well before he’d entered his father’s office and closed the door.
Patrick took a gulp of soda and commented, “Chase was worried, but I told him you’d be okay.”
“That was good of you.”
“I know,” he said, and took one last drink of the soda before handing it to Maisy. She took the soda to the beverage center and emptied it before placing the can in the recycling bin.
By the time she returned, Chase was back and seemed much more relaxed after talking to his father.
Her brother returned to the bedroom, interrupting her thoughts. “Maisy,” he shouted with glee. “Look. I got an Ernie Banks rookie baseball card. He’s the absolute greatest. He’s known as Mr. Cub and…and this card must be worth a million bucks.” Her brother nearly swooned with delight.
Chase had done it again, and despite her determination not to let him spoil her, she couldn’t be upset with the joy he brought her little brother.
Chase collected Maisy and Patrick at 7:30 as promised.
She expected him to arrive in a suit and tie for the evening.
She’d worn her best dress with heels, and Patrick wore his Sunday clothes with his Cubs jersey over the top of his button-down shirt.
It’d been a compromise. Instead, Chase wore jeans and a jacket.
The weather was warm during the day, she knew, but cooler come evening.
“You’re going to need a jacket,” Chase instructed.
“Where are we going?” Patrick wanted to know.
Maisy shot him a look to remind him of his manners.
“I mean,” Patrick said, his voice much lower this time, “could you please tell us the surprise?”
“We’re doing a river cruise,” Chase said.
The Chicago River was in full view from their hotel suite. Maisy was fascinated by the many bridges that crossed the waterway, and the smooth flow of traffic.
“Like a cruise ship?” Patrick asked, growing even more excited.
“We’ll eat on the boat,” Chase explained. “However, it’s much smaller than a big cruise ship.”
“That’s okay,” Patrick rushed to tell him. “I didn’t think I’d be hungry, but I am. What’s for dinner?”
“Patience,” Maisy whispered, looking to Patrick. Her brother’s excitement and pleasure with every aspect of this visit matched her own. She couldn’t find fault with his enthusiasm.
Chase’s car and driver waited outside. Maisy had assumed the departure area for the cruise would be close by.
Once inside the car, they drove past several of the commercial dinner cruise vessels.
Maisy wasn’t sure how far they went before the car pulled up to a docking area.
Chase helped her out of the car and Patrick followed.
In front of them was a boat. Only this was no small sailing vessel.
It was a luxurious watercraft that looked like a yacht, or at least that’s what she assumed.
Maisy froze and looked at Chase, hardly knowing what to say. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Is this yours?”
He grinned, apparently amused by her surprise. “Just another one of my toys,” he said, taking her by the elbow.