“I wanted to surprise you and Patrick.”
“You certainly did.”
He leaned his head close to hers. “You have to know that I came for more than the game. I wanted to see you. I hope you don’t have any plans for the rest of the day.”
She did, but nothing was more important than spending time with Chase.
“Did you fly commercially?” she asked.
“No, Dad said I could take the company jet.”
“Thank him for me.” She loved that he held her hand, linking them together.
All too soon, the game started. The Raptors were up first. Patrick stood at first base, his feet spread apart, as he stared intently at the batter. Sure enough, the batter hit the first pitch that went straight to the pitcher, who threw it to Patrick. Swiftly catching the ball, Patrick touched the bag as the player ran to first base.
“Out,” the umpire shouted.
Maisy and her mother leaped to their feet, applauding wildly.
“Mom. Maisy,” Sean cried, motioning for them to reclaim their seats. “Stop. You’re going to embarrass Patrick.”
Properly chastised, Maisy sat back down to find Chase grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“You,” he said, “and your mom. I think it’s great the way you can’t hide your excitement and pride for Patrick.”
That first out wasn’t the only time Maisy leaped to her feet. In the third inning, Patrick hit a home run. He rounded the bases, accepted the cheers and high fives from his teammates, and then paused and looked up to the stands.
Sean gave him a big nod of recognition.
Patrick’s eyes swiftly went from Sean to Chase. Chase shot him a smile and a big thumbs-up. Patrick beamed with joy.
In the end, the Raptors won 5 to 3, but no one seemed overly disappointed. As the Raptors and the Tigers exchanged handshakes, Lloyd leaned over and asked, “Isn’t it time for lunch? My treat.”
“Lloyd, you don’t need to do that,” Maisy’s mother fussed.
“Nonsense. It’s my pleasure.”
A discussion followed as to where to go, and they quickly decided on Willie’s Diner.
Patrick and Maisy rode with Chase in his rental car. Maisy sat in the front seat with him and gave him directions to the diner.
“You don’t mind, do you?” she asked.
“Mind?”
“It’s a diner, Chase. There’s no lobster on the menu.”
He laughed. “No worries. I’ve eaten at plenty of diners in my time.”
“They have the best burgers in town,” Patrick inserted, eager to share this vital information with Chase. “You should try their onion rings, too.”
“Then I will,” Chase promised.
Sean and Katie had arrived before anyone else and arranged for a couple of tables to be brought together to accommodate their party.
Before long they were seated and handed menus. Once again Patrick advised Chase on what to order when the server came, pad in hand.
