“Grams crocheted him a blanket with the Cubs logo, and he’s slept with it every night since.”
“Speaking of your grandmother,” Chase said, his arms holding her around the waist. “I did a bit of research. You assumed I’d paid off her medical bills. It wasn’t me. It was Lloyd.”
“Lloyd?” Maisy was speechless.
“He’s a man of considerable means himself.”
Maisy remembered her grandmother’s speculation that Lloyd was a wealthy man. At the time, Maisy had been amused.
Chagrined, Maisy pressed her forehead against his chest.
“Your mother was right all along. Her faith was justified.”
“It was,” Maisy agreed, regretting how quickly she’d been willing to believe Chase had been involved. “I didn’t want you ever to think I love you for anything more than the man you are.”
Chase snorted as though amused. “The size of my bank account caused more problems than it helped, I might remind you.”
He was right.
“Now, getting back to my proposal. Are you going to put me out of this misery and marry me?”
“I could be persuaded.” And it wasn’t going to take much. “But I’ll still want to get my degree.”
“I want that for you.”
“At some point, I’d also like children.”
“I’m in full agreement there, but with the stipulation they have green eyes and freckles like their mother.”
Maisy threw back her head and laughed. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Epilogue
Seven Years Later
“Daddy, read me story,” three-year-old Michael pleaded. Chase’s son would use any excuse to delay naptime. Indulging him was easy, as little Michael needed lots of attention these days. Maisy had given birth to twin daughters a month earlier. Juniper Sophie and Rose Michelle were sound asleep, and Maisy was resting herself after nursing them. It came as no surprise to discover Maisy was an incredible mother.
“Daddy, this book.” Michael handed him one of his favorites from Dr. Seuss:Green Eggs and Ham. Chase had read it countless times, to the point he could nearly recite it from memory.
Not waiting for a response, Michael climbed onto Chase’s lap and squirmed around until he was comfortable, leaning his head against Chase’s arm. Love for his son tightened Chase’s chest. Maisy wasn’t only a wonderful mother; she was an amazing wife. He thanked God for her every single day. She could bestubborn, as Patrick had claimed all those years ago, but not to the point where she was unable to listen to reason. Their disagreements never lasted long.
Chase opened the picture book.
Chase doubted he’d get past the third page before his son fell asleep.
“Mommy made me green eggs and ham for breakfast, remember?”
“I do.” Knowing how fond of the story Michael was, Maisy had added green food coloring to the toddler’s scrambled eggs and added diced ham.
“It was really good.”
“It was.”
“Close your eyes,” Chase told his son.
“Do I have to?”
“It will help you fall asleep.”
