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.
Chapter Twelve
Chase gave the driver instructions to drive to Point Defiance Park on Puget Sound. It was a lovely spring day. Maisy looked as surprised as she felt; she had expected to be dropped off at the mall following their lunch.
The sun warmed the earth and a gentle breeze blew, ruffling the pink rhododendrons that marked the paved pathway. Bright yellow daffodils bloomed while the tulips’ buds were ready to open within the next few days.
Spring was definitely in the air. Chase suggested a short walk. “It’s always good to do a bit of exercise after a big meal,” he said.
“Okay,” she said, and sounded unsure. Chase was deep in thought, mulling over what Maisy had mentioned over lunch about her work with the homeless. His head swirled with ways to help the man who’d set up camp in the alley back in Chicago.
As they continued down the walkway, his hands were clenched behind his back as he saw himself in an entirely different light. He’d been born into wealth and prestige. His name alone opened doors. Others were far less fortunate. He hadn’t given that man a second thought, other than to have him removed. His complete lack of caring made him feel ashamed, an emotion he wasn’t used to experiencing.
Keeping pace with Chase, Maisy remained silent, seemingly content with the lack of conversation. They were well onto the paved trail leading toward the zoo and aquarium before he was ready to talk.
“I arrived in town earlier this morning and spent time with one of the women who sent a sympathy card. You might remember her from the funeral. Her name is Gwen.”
“I remember her,” Macy said.
“When we met she told me the story she shared about missing the freeway exit to her favorite tavern,” Chase added. “We had a good long talk.”
Chase had met Gwen at a coffee shop, and she’d given him a large chunk of her mind when it came to the way he’d ignored his mother. He’d listened, biting his tongue, until she’d finished. It hadn’t been easy to hear the things she’d said. He had no defense and made no attempt to justify his actions while she endlessly harangued him. The bottom line was that he’d live the rest of his life with regrets when it came to his mother. If he could turn back time, he would, but that was impossible. Chase was left to deal with the fact that he’d lost the opportunity to reconcile with Michelle.
The thing he couldn’t forget, and never would, was how instrumental Maisy had been in his learning the truth. WithoutMaisy, he would have continued along on his merry way, oblivious to the fact that his mother had become this beautiful, caring woman who gave of herself unselfishly to others. Because of his stubbornness, he’d lost that chance. And for that he was genuinely sorry.
“I’m pleased you were able to connect with Gwen,” Maisy said, cutting into his thoughts.
“I’m glad, too,” Chase said. “As for that peace you mentioned—that’s up in the air. When I scheduled this trip, I wasn’t sure what to expect. As you’ve probably already guessed, Gwen didn’t use any restraint telling me exactly what she thought.”
Maisy grinned. “No, I imagine that she didn’t. Did you get the answers you needed?”
“Yes and no. She invited me to meet with a few of my mother’s other friends, and I suppose I will at some point.”
“You should do that.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready to face them just yet, but I will be.” If Gwen was an example of what he could expect, it would take him a good amount of time to prepare for what was sure to be another thorough tongue-thrashing. One he rightly deserved.
They continued walking at a leisurely pace. “I know you must be feeling a lot of regret.”
He released a deep, mournful sigh. “I wish I hadn’t been so stubborn, so righteous and bullheaded.”
“Recognizing this is the first step toward healing,” Maisy said, her voice calm and soothing.
He needed to say something else, something that had shaken his entire world.
“When I called you the first time, I mentioned that the funeral home mailed me the sympathy cards.”
“Yes,” she answered.
