“No. I appreciate the offer, but it would hurt more than it would help.”
Chase didn’t see it that way. It was in his power to relieve the financial tension. Her stubbornness was unnecessary.
“I don’t understand,” he said. “What have you got against me helping your family? I’m a rich man, Maisy, and I care about youand your family. It’s tearing me up inside to see you worried about something that I could so easily fix.”
“Chase, you’re a good, caring man; I appreciate that you want to come to our aid, I do. It would be far too easy for me to agree, but I can’t, and I won’t.”
Her answer frustrated him. “I don’t understand you. Why would you refuse? My willingness to relieve this burden comes with no strings attached.”
“Don’t you see?” she asked. Her voice held a pleading quality. “You and I have something good, something special. If you were to give us a loan, I would always feel indebted to you and so would my family. The money would always be a thorn between us. You would never know if I loved you for yourself or for what you could do for me.”
All Chase heard was the wordlove. “You love me?”
She hesitated, as if she hadn’t meant to let him know.
“I’m crazy in love with you, too, Maisy, and I want to help you.”
“I know, and I love you even more for it, but please, please understand that it would ruin everything if you did.”
This was hard to accept. He didn’t know if it was possible to stand by and do nothing.
“Promise me,” she insisted. “I trust you to be an honorable man. I won’t rest easy until you do.”
He exhaled and squeezed the phone so hard his fingers ached. After a long moment he nodded, even though she couldn’t see the action, and for the second time, he gave his word. “I promise.”
“Thank you.” The relief in her voice was evident.
Chase hoped he’d be able to stand by his word.
“That isn’t all that’s happened to us, though,” she added.
“You mean there’s more?” He didn’t know how much bad news this family could absorb.
“Yes, unfortunately. Sean’s truck and tools were stolen.”
At this latest hit, Chase briefly closed his eyes.
“To make matters worse, his boss said he wouldn’t be able to work without the necessary tools.”
“I could…” He stopped himself just in time. “I could do nothing.”
He could almost hear Maisy’s smile. “Thank you,” she whispered.
It wasn’t only for Maisy. Sean would hate it if Chase offered to purchase whatever he needed for the job.
“What’s going to happen?” he asked.
“Losing the truck is a blow as much as the loss of his tools. The police found the vehicle a day later. It was totaled—not that it was worth much to anyone but Sean. Katie has been driving him to work, but that isn’t going to last much longer, as she’s been sent to a different jobsite.”
“Then he was able to get what he needs, tool-wise?”
“Not exactly. His friends on the job have helped fill in with extra or older tools they have. Sean bought a few essentials.”
“Then he’s able to continue working.”
“For now, but he needs a vehicle, and soon.”
“How’s your mom dealing with all this?” he asked. Sophie Gallagher was a strong woman, but there was only so much one woman could take.
