Once they had their luggage, Chase called for his driver. They arrived at the predetermined spot and the three of them climbed into the backseat.
Patrick sat between them, but that didn’t stop Chase from reaching for Maisy’s hand.
“I’ve never stayed overnight in a hotel before,” Patrick said.
“Then you’re in for a treat.”
“Where did you book us?” Maisy asked, although it didn’t matter. All she cared about was spending time with Chase.
“The Ritz.” He said this as casually as if he had commented on the weather.
Her eyes widened. The Ritz-Carlton! That had to be one of the most expensive hotels in town. An uncomfortable feeling settled in her stomach. She would have been happy at the Holiday Inn, and Patrick, too. The Ritz was too much. Everything Chase did was too much. It was one of the big differences between them. Maisy and her family lived frugally, whereas Chase was accustomed to and expected only the best of everything.
“It’s conveniently close to the office,” Chase told her, before she could object.
“Your dad is at the office on a weekend?”
“He is today. He’s busy getting ready for this trip to Europe.”
Chase had mentioned his father’s travel schedule a couple of times. She wasn’t sure of the details; the feeling she got, however, was that this was an important one. Simon would be away from the office for several weeks. This meant Chase would be putting in extra hours. He assured her he would continue with their nightly chats, although it would likely be later than usual.
“If your father is busy preparing for this trip, should we intrude?”
“It’s fine, Maisy. Dad wants to meet you, and I want you to meet him. There’s no need to be nervous.”
“Okay.” She wanted to believe him, but couldn’t help being unsettled.
“Once you’ve met Dad, we’ll return to the hotel. I’ve arranged for Laura and Bella to stop by there for high tea.”
Seeing her best friend and Bella was one aspect of her visit Maisy looked forward to the most. They remained in close communication and spoke often. Laura was well aware of Maisy’s feelings for Chase, and urged her to be cautious.
“When do the Cubs play?” Patrick asked, pulling on Chase’s sleeve to get his attention.
“Tomorrow,” Chase told him.
As they neared the hotel, Chase said, “I’ve already checked you in and have your room keys. Once you drop off your suitcases, we’ll walk over to the office. It’s easier than driving.”
“Sounds good.”
Their time in the hotel was brief. Maisy wasn’t sure she was mentally prepared to meet Simon Furst so soon after her arrival. Chase had compacted a lot into the two days they would be in town.
Maisy barely had time to look around their two-bedroom suite before Chase ushered them out the door. As promised, the walk to the Furst Bank office building was short.
“Would you like to meet Guy?” he asked.
Maisy knew Chase had tried hard to get his new friend into government-sponsored housing, to no avail. Guy seemed determined to remain exactly where he was. Chase wasn’t giving up, though. He was determined to do what he could to build trust, with the hope that in time, Guy would be willing to accept the help he needed.
“I would enjoy meeting Guy,” she told him.
With his hand at the small of her back, he led her into the alley. Guy had a tent pitched behind a dumpster.
Chase called out to him and the flap of the tent opened. “Hey, Guy, I want to introduce you to my girl and her brother.”
At the sound of Chase’s voice, Guy crawled out of the tent. “Guy, this is Maisy and Patrick.”
“You his woman?” Guy asked Maisy.
She laughed and nodded. “It seems that way. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Guy. Chase has told me a lot about you.”
