Sean arrived a few minutes later, and Maisy introduced him to Chase.
“Sean is an apprentice electrician,” Maisy explained proudly. “He’s in his second year.”
Sean nodded at Chase, kissed his mother’s cheek, and headed into the other room to wash up. When dinner was on the table,the family took their seats. Sean sat in their father’s place and Chase was next to him, with Maisy across from Chase.
“Would you say the grace, son?” Sophie asked Sean.
Everyone bowed their heads and Sean said a few words of appreciation for the Lord’s blessings in the same way their father had once done.
Right away the bowls of food were passed from one person to the next. Sean took a bite and then looked at Chase.
Patrick seemed to think he should be the one to explain Chase’s visit.
“Chase is dating Maisy. I told him she’s a good cook and he said he would consider marrying her.”
Sean arched his brows and then looked directly at Chase. “Is that true? You’re dating my sister?”
“Sean,” Maisy said with a groan. “I don’t think…”
“Yes…” Chase answered.
“No, he’s not,” Maisy responded quickly, contradicting Chase. Then, realizing what she’d said, she blushed. “We’ve only had lunch together one time. Today,” she added.
Sean ignored her, focusing on Chase instead. “You’re interested, though. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be here with that fancy car parked outside with the driver waiting.”
“Sean,” their mother warned softly. “Chase is here for dinner, not an inquisition.”
“I know,” her brother continued. “The fact that he’s here, meeting the family, says a lot.”
“I admire your sister a great deal,” Chase admitted.
Maisy blushed profusely.
“Good to know,” Sean said, as though satisfied.
Chatter continued throughout the meal, Patrick being themost verbal. “I got an A on my spelling test today, and a dog followed me home from school for two blocks before his owner called him back.”
“Patrick would like nothing more than a puppy,” Maisy supplied.
“Not happening,” Sean inserted, as he dug into the mashed potatoes. “Not when we’re all out of the house most of the day.”
“I know,” Patrick said, with a sigh loud enough to be heard around the table.
“Someday,” their mother promised, giving Patrick a warm smile.
“Tyler is in Little League baseball, and he said it isn’t too late for me to sign up,” Patrick said, with such hope it hurt Maisy’s heart.
“Can I, p-l-e-a-s-e?” he added.
This wasn’t the first time Patrick had brought up his desire to join the Little League team. It bothered Maisy that he didn’t have many of the same opportunities afforded to Sean and her.
Maisy shared a look with her mother and knew she was thinking the same thing.
“Maybe we can find a way,” Sophie said with a frown, as though trying to work out the details in her head.
“There’s always carpooling with another parent,” Sean suggested.
Patrick sat up straighter. “Could I? I mean, I could walk to the practices if I had to…”
