Chase couldn’t help it; he burst out laughing. It’d been a long time since he’d laughed this hard. Maisy, however, didn’t look the least bit amused.
Chapter Thirteen
Mortified, Maisy’s face blushed red hot. “Patrick Gallagher! What a thing to say. Apologize this minute.”
Looking crestfallen, Patrick stared down at the ground. “I’m sorry, Maisy and Mr. Chase. I shouldn’t have said that, even if it’s the truth.”
“Apology accepted,” Chase said, and laid his hand on the youth’s shoulders as if to assure him all was forgiven.
Patrick immediately looked up with bright eyes and a wide smile. “Are you going to marry Maisy?”
Chase grinned and seemed to enjoy Maisy’s embarrassment. “I’ll give it some thought.”
“Great. She might be bossy, but she’s a good cook like Mom.”
Maisy wanted nothing more than to stuff a sock in her little brother’s mouth.
“Meatloaf is my favorite, as well,” Chase said quickly, thusrefusing to let Maisy break up the conversation with her little brother. “You say Maisy is bossy?” He smiled over at her as if he found Patrick highly entertaining.
“Worse even than Sean. He’s my big brother. He’ll be home for dinner, so you’ll meet him, too.”
“I look forward to hearing what Sean has to say about your sister.”
Maisy closed her eyes and tilted her head to look at the sky, groaning with mounting frustration. Her mother and Patrick returned to the house. Needing to talk to Chase, Maisy reached for his arm, delaying him. “You don’t need to do this.”
He frowned. “Would you rather I leave?”
She would, but to say so would be rude. “Not really…but please remember we’re just regular people.”
“That’s what I like best about you,” he told her. “You’re not looking to impress me or use me in any way.”
Maisy hadn’t realized how true that must be. With his wealth and position, he must have encountered those who were interested only in what he could do for them.
“You told your mother about me?” he asked, breaking into her thoughts.
“Well, yes. Did you think I wouldn’t?”
“Honestly, I didn’t know if you would or not. I’m pleased you did, though.” He reached for her hand, and they headed into the house.
Maisy looked at the family home as if seeing it from Chase’s point of view. She could only imagine the difference between their two residences and inwardly cringed. The front porch steps that led to the house were chipped and the red paint had faded over the years. Once inside, her gaze fell upon the living roomwith its bulky, outdated furniture with cushions that sagged in several places. Chase didn’t seem to notice any of that, and she was pleased. Maisy was proud of who they were and had no reason to be embarrassed but was still relieved by Chase’s reaction.
“Maisy, would you make the salad?” her mother called, as she stepped into the kitchen.
“Sure thing,” she said.
Patrick was already setting the table.
“Chase, make yourself at home,” her mother said as she removed the meatloaf from the oven.
Chase looked around and then pulled up a chair and sat at the kitchen counter. “Anything I can do?”
“How are you at mashing potatoes?” Her mother removed the oven mitts from her hands and set them back in the kitchen drawer.
“I guess we’ll find out,” he said, sliding off the chair.
Sophie handed him an apron. He looked at it as if he’d never seen one before, then looped the strap over his neck and tied the back. Maisy and her mother exchanged a smile.
The potatoes had been drained, and her mother had set out milk, butter, and salt. Chase glanced toward Maisy and raised his brows in confusion before he grinned and went to work. It was the biggest smile she’d seen from him. He was enjoying himself. She shouldn’t have been surprised, but she was.
