“What about selling the business?” He knew listing the store would be a painful decision, seeing how long it had been in the family.
“The way debts are piling up, I don’t think we’ll have much of a choice. It breaks my heart for Uncle Fred. Losing the store will breakhisheart.”
“I’m sorry, Maisy.”
“I am, too. Thankfully, Patrick’s news helped balance the day. I’ve never seen him more excited. The entire family is attending the game on Saturday. We want to show him our support and how proud we are of him.”
Chase loved hearing news about Maisy’s family. He suspected that was because their closeness and support of one another was something he’d never known himself as a child. It might have been different if his mother hadn’t left, although he believed Michelle had to move away for her own sake—otherwise, she might never have found sobriety.
“Did your grandmother have her dinner date with Lloyd?”Chase asked, thinking it best to change the subject from the family’s business.
“She did, and according to Grams, Lloyd was a perfect gentleman.”
“You mean to say after all your grandmother’s worries, he didn’t try to pull anything?” Chase couldn’t keep the humor from his voice. Maisy had mentioned her grandmother’s concerns when it came to accepting this dinner date. Fears that caused him to laugh out loud when she’d first mentioned Lloyd.
“He cooked a pot roast in his slow cooker and even sent a few leftovers home with Grams. He claimed it was more than he could eat on his own. I think she might have invited him to attend Patrick’s game this Saturday.”
“It sounds like this romance is off to a good start,” he said.
Maisy agreed. “From what I understand, neither of them is interested in anything more than friendship. It’s good for her to have someone to do things with. My grandfather has been gone for several years now. They were always together. They loved watching the Mariners and Seahawks on TV and were great partners. She cooked and Gramps did the dishes. They made a good team. I know she misses that companionship.”
Chase knew whoever he chose to spend his life with would be a woman he’d feel comfortable growing old with, doing the very things Maisy mentioned.
“Oh,” Maisy added happily, “I wanted to tell you how well Laura is doing. She loves her new apartment, and Bella is in a much better school. They’ve had their ups and downs with each other for sure. Bella can be a handful, but according to Laura, she is coming around and making much better friends.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“You don’t know how much that scholarship meant to her and Bella,” Maisy added. “I won’t ever let her know it came from you, although I’d like to. The fact is, I do know and am forever grateful.”
“I welcomed the opportunity to help your friend.” He felt a little uncomfortable with her praise.
They spoke for nearly an hour. Even then, it was hard to end the conversation. Maisy was often the one to call it a night. Chase knew she enjoyed their talks and seemed reluctant to disconnect. It felt as though she was preparing herself for a time they wouldn’t talk at all.
First thing the next morning, Chase sought out his father. “Do you need the company plane this weekend?” he asked.
His father looked up from his desk. “No, do you need it?”
“If it’s available, I would.”
“Where are you headed?” his father asked.
Chase smiled. “There’s a baseball game I want to attend.”
Chapter Nineteen
On Saturday morning, Patrick was up and dressed in his uniform before anyone in the house had stirred. He carried his baseball mitt with him everywhere he went; it was either attached to his hand like an extended appendage or tucked under his arm. Maisy was convinced he slept with it.
She wandered down the stairs at about eight and found Patrick at the kitchen table, arguing with their mother.
“Eat, Patrick. You’re going to need the energy breakfast gives you for the game.”
“Mom, I can’t. I’m too excited.”
“Try anyway,” their mother insisted.
“All right, all right,” he grumbled, none too happy to eat his oatmeal. His eyes widened when he noticed Maisy. “You’re coming to the game, aren’t you?”
“Morning, champ,” she said on the tail end of a yawn. “Of course, I’ll be there.”
