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She couldn’t allow that to happen.

“With all due respect, ma’am,” Finn said, taking a step forward so he slightly shielded Maisie with his shoulder. “This really is none of your concern.”

“It’s my concern when it affects me,” she snapped back. “You’ve been showing her more attention than anyone else on the tour, even though we all paid as much as she did.” She tossed her head toward Maisie. “Now you’re spending the weekend together?”

“We didn’t spend the weekend together,” Maisie said.

Mrs. Waterstone sniffed, folding her thin arms across her chest. “I saw him walk you to the hotel last night, and now you’re coming home in a car together? Where exactly have you both been, huh?”

Maisie could hardly believe this was even happening. Were they really having to explain their actions to an unhappy woman who knew next to nothing of what had transpired between them? Why did she even care?

The moment on the bus waiting for traffic to disperse filled Maisie’s memory, and suddenly, she knew. Mrs. Waterstone was upset with Finn for allowing the dog to stay on board, and she was upset with Maisie for telling her to eat chocolate to deal with poor Greta Dünser’s cries.

Why hadn’t Maisie kept her mouth shut? She’d already helped the Dünsers at that point, but her final comments had obviously pushed the woman to hold a vendetta against them both. Maisie hardly cared if Mrs. Waterstone liked her, but now that Finn was affected and his family? She couldn’t bear it.

“This is just so unprofessional,” Mrs. Waterstone continued. “You can bet your boss will be hearing from me immediately.”

She shook her head at them both, then whirled around on her heel and disappeared into the hotel.

Maisie took a step after her, desperate to help the O’Meara’s, but Finn’s soft hand on her arm stopped her.

“Let her go,” he said. “There’s nothin’ we can do now.”

Maisie stared helplessly at the closing doors, though she knew Finn was right. Mrs. Waterstone had accused them of lies. They hadn’t spent the weekend together in the way the woman thought. But they had kissed. Would that warrant Finn losing his job?

She chewed on her lower lip, regret overcoming her. If only she hadn’t allowed Finn to bring her back. If only Maisie had thought of Mrs. Waterstone being in the same hotel. If only Maisie hadn’t⁠—

“What’s done is done,” Finn said, interrupting her thoughts, as if he knew where they were headed.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, turning to look up at him. “This is all my fault.”

“You know that isn’t true,” he said.

Still, Maisie couldn’t bear it. “What are we going to do?”

“There’s nothin’ to do but wait,” he said calmly. “She’s more bark than anythin’.”

“But what if she reports us?”

“Then I’ll tell me boss the truth. Simple as that.”

“And if you lose the bonus? Your job?” She swallowed. “Your family’s home?”

He shook his head. “I won’t. Worst case, I’ll be suspended. But me family’ll be alright.”

Maisie wasn’t convinced. “I could message Daphne tonight,” she offered, “let her know about your mom’s stew going on the menu. We could get an advance and set up a license agreement.”

“It wouldn’t be soon enough,” he said gently.

Maisie already knew he was right. Those sorts of things always took months to work out. But was there really nothing else she could do?

Finn must have seen her torment, as he looked down at her with softened eyes. “Don’t worry anymore ’bout it, love. I’m sure all this’ll blow over. Come Monday, things’ll be back to normal. You’ll see.”

Maisie wanted to believe him. But the slight waver in his tone, the small shadow behind his eyes, made her concern grow.

Soon after, Finn left, giving her a forced smile in departure. “I’ll see you Monday mornin’,” he stated firmly.

Maisie nodded half-heartedly, wandering back to her hotel room, half-tempted to find Mrs. Waterstone and give her a piece of her mind. But Finn was right. It wouldn’t do them any good.