“You know exactly who I mean.”
Embarrassed, she started toward her bedroom door, when Sean stopped her again.
“Is it wise, Maisy?”
She didn’t answer.
“Be careful before you get romantically involved with him. I’m afraid you’ll end up with nothing but regrets.”
His interference in her life upset her. “Listen, big brother, I don’t need your advice. I haven’t said anything to you about Katie.”
“Leave Katie out of this.”
“Aha,” Maisy cried, her point made. “You think it’s all good and well to offer your opinion about me and Chase, but seem unwilling to take any advice yourself.”
Sean crossed his arms and glared back at her. “Fine, say what you want to say.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea to date a woman you work with?” She brought up the very objection he’d mentioned earlier himself. However, seeing how Sean insisted on meddling in her business, she felt it was only right that she have her own say.
“Under normal circumstances, I’d agree with you,” he surprised her by admitting. “But Katie and I have been sent to different jobsites, starting last week, so your point is moot.”
Feeling chagrined, Maisy shrugged. She wanted to encourage the relationship; her brother had made multiple sacrifices for the family. He’d moved back home, helped with the finances, and took on many of the responsibilities that had once fallen on their father. Sean deserved to be happy. “I apologize, I shouldn’t have said anything. You’re right about Chase. I need to be wary.”
“I’m only saying this because I care about you.”
“I know,” Maisy said.
And she did. Her brother was right.
Chapter Eighteen
Chase mulled over his father’s words for several days. He regretted that he hadn’t been as forthcoming as he should have been. Even as an adult, a part of him hated disappointing Simon.
Troubled by his lack of honesty, he entered his father’s office, and after their usual business talk, Chase said, “I wasn’t completely honest the other night when you mentioned Astrid.”
His father’s brows arched with what looked like surprise.
“It’s true we aren’t in love, and it’s doubtful that will change. I believe she doesn’t want to disappoint her parents any more than I want to disappoint you. I don’t know if she’s said anything to her parents yet, but I felt you should know it’s over between us. Don’t misunderstand me, I’m fond of Astrid. We’re good friends, but that’s all we are. On the surface we’re well suited, but our relationship never evolved deeper. On her part or on mine. I have no intention of marrying her.” The relief he felt setting thematter straight was instantaneous. Chase had worked hard to follow in Simon’s footsteps when it came to being a responsible and successful businessman. But he refused to marry a woman he didn’t love because his father felt she was the one for him.
At times Simon was difficult to read, but never more than after Chase’s announcement. Chase had expected some form of censure, more questions. Some comments, at least. He got nothing.
What shook Chase was that if he hadn’t met Maisy, he might actually have given in to the pressure. There was a lot to be said for the union of the two families, even though it would be grossly unfair to them both.
As they so often did, his thoughts drifted to Maisy. His nightly chats with her had become the highlight of his day. He couldn’t wait to get home so they could connect. This had never happened to him before. Looking up, Chase noticed his father studying him.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” He’d expected a response.
“It’s that woman in Seattle, isn’t it?”
Chase didn’t feel it was necessary to deny or confirm his relationship with Maisy. “She has nothing to do with this decision. I’ve known for a long time that Astrid and I weren’t right for each other.”
His father’s reaction was slow. After what felt like an eternity, Simon nodded. “My only hope is that you know what you’re doing. Don’t give your heart away too soon.”
“I won’t,” he assured his father, although the way he felt about Maisy was stronger than the way he’d felt about any other woman he’d ever dated.
Chase left his father’s office and returned to his own. Nosooner had he taken a seat at his desk when Tristen delivered the day’s mail. On the top of the pile was a hand-addressed envelope in what appeared to be a child’s handwriting. Chase waited until Tristen had left before he reached for the handwritten letter. He smiled when he saw it was from Maisy’s brother, Patrick.
Dear Mr. Furst,
