Chapter Thirty-Two #2
Maisy swallowed hard and found her mother studying her intently. “You love him. If you’re doing this for the family, then, dear heart, you’re cheating yourself. Did you hear what Simon had to say? Chase never lied to you. He’s done nothing but show you his love.”
“What about you and Grams…”
Her mother stopped her. “Don’t you realize your grandmother and I want nothing more than for you to be happy? If Grams were here, she’d tell you that herself. Besides, she’s got a new man in her life, and Lloyd is going to do everything within his power to keep her close to his side.”
“What about my classes? I…”
Simon was the one to answer. “Lots of excellent colleges in Chicago, so that’s a weak excuse.”
A tingling sensation came over Maisy. She was torn. Her heart was pounding hard and strong enough to sound in her ears.
“Does Chase know you’re here?” Maisy asked.
Simon snickered. “Hardly.”
“Maisy.” Her mother rested her arm on Maisy’s hand. “The decision is yours. If you love Chase, and I believe you do, then go to him and settle this. Simon claims he’s miserable, but, sweet girl, so are you. The two of you belong together.”
“I’m flying back to Chicago. Why don’t you join me?”
She nodded vigorously. “I…my job.”
“Go,” her mother insisted. “You don’t work for the next two days, if the schedule you posted on the refrigerator is right.”
Maisy couldn’t sit still. “I’ll pack an overnight bag and be right back.” She flew out of the kitchen and took the stairs two at a time.
—
The flight into Chicago sped by, with Simon entertaining Maisy with stories of Chase as a boy.
The distraction helped ease her nervousness.
She’d been so quick to judge Chase, so certain he’d been lying.
He claimed he needed her; what she hadn’t fully appreciated was how much she needed him.
Her life felt empty without Chase. She’d insisted on a clean break, thinking that it would be less painful…
that in time she’d be able to move on. She knew now that would have been impossible.
Chase would always be in her heart. Always there to remind her of what she’d once had.
When they landed, a car and driver awaited their arrival.
“Where are we going?” she asked, wanting to see Chase as soon as possible. Waiting until morning seemed intolerable.
“Chase’s condo.”
“But it’s late, and he might not appreciate the interruption.”
“True, but he won’t be upset with me when he sees I brought you.” Simon appeared to be enjoying himself.
When they reached Chase’s building, the doorman greeted Simon.
“Is my son in for the evening?” he asked.
“Yes, Mr. Furst.” Before she followed Chase’s father, the doorman gave her a huge smile and winked. Maisy smiled back.
“Wonderful.” Simon led Maisy to the elevator bank, and they ascended to the top floor.
Simon rang the doorbell, and it seemed a horribly long time before Chase answered. He froze when he saw Maisy with his father.
Her mind had been reviewing everything she wanted to say.
Everything she needed to tell him. However, now that she was here standing before him, she had no words.
All she seemed capable of doing was staring at Chase.
He, too, remained frozen. When it seemed neither of them were capable of movement, a sob escaped Maisy and she flew into his arms, wrapping herself around him.
Chase grabbed hold of her, crushing her against him as he brought her inside the condo.
Holding his head between her hands, she cried, “I’m sorry, so sorry. I love you, Chase. I…”
Chase groaned. He didn’t give her the chance to say anything more before his mouth flew to hers. His kiss was hungry, urgent, and intense, as if he couldn’t get enough of her. As if he’d been holding his breath since they were last together.
“I believe my work here is done,” Maisy heard Simon say. “I’m leaving you to sort everything out. All I ask is that you let me know the wedding date, so I can get it on my calendar.”
The door softly closed as he left.
Chase had yet to release Maisy. He kissed her again and again.
By the time he finished, she was weak in the knees.
It seemed impossible that she was in Chase’s arms, and at the same time she realized this was exactly where she was always meant to be.
Where she longed to be. Life had been cold and empty without him.
“I love you, Maisy.”
She pressed her hand over his cheek. “I love you, too. I’ve been such an idiot and so utterly miserable. Can you forgive me?”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe?” she repeated.
“There’s a penalty you need to pay me.” His eyes were bright with a teasing light.
“Oh?” She arched her brows, loving him so deeply it felt as if her heart would never be able to take it all in.
It felt like a miracle that she was with him.
She’d been walking in a fog for weeks, and now it felt as if the sun had broken out, dispersing the gloom that made it nearly impossible for her to function.
“One that’s going to take you a lifetime to repay.”
“A lifetime, you say.”
“Absolutely. The sooner I can make you my wife, the better.”
“But I signed up for my classes this afternoon, so it will need to be…”
“There are plenty of nursing schools in Chicago. You’ll get your degree, work however long you like, and come home to me every night.”
“I’m not a country club sort of girl.”
“Do you think I care?”
“But your business associates will have expectations…”
“Let them. There’s nothing that means more to me than being with you.”
“Okay.”
He arched one brow. “I expected an argument.”
“I’m not giving you one now. I might think of one later, but as of this moment, I don’t think I would survive another day without you. Besides, I have a small confession to make.”
“Oh?” Chase’s eyes filled with questions.
“I was listening in when Patrick called you after he broke his arm.”
“You were?”
“I could only hear one side of the conversation, which shows how hungry I was to find out anything I could about you.”
Chase kissed the tip of her nose. “I wish I’d known. I wanted to send Patrick a get-well gift, but then you’d know he’d called.”
“Grams crocheted him a blanket with the Cubs logo, and he’s slept with it every night since.”
“Speaking of your grandmother,” Chase said, his arms holding her around the waist. “I did a bit of research. You assumed I’d paid off her medical bills. It wasn’t me. It was Lloyd.”
“Lloyd?” Maisy was speechless.
“He’s a man of considerable means himself.”
Maisy remembered her grandmother’s speculation that Lloyd was a wealthy man. At the time, Maisy had been amused.
Chagrined, Maisy pressed her forehead against his chest.
“Your mother was right all along. Her faith was justified.”
“It was,” Maisy agreed, regretting how quickly she’d been willing to believe Chase had been involved. “I didn’t want you ever to think I love you for anything more than the man you are.”
Chase snorted as though amused. “The size of my bank account caused more problems than it helped, I might remind you.”
He was right.
“Now, getting back to my proposal. Are you going to put me out of this misery and marry me?”
“I could be persuaded.” And it wasn’t going to take much. “But I’ll still want to get my degree.”
“I want that for you.”
“At some point, I’d also like children.”
“I’m in full agreement there, but with the stipulation they have green eyes and freckles like their mother.”
Maisy threw back her head and laughed. “I’ll see what I can do.”