An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [95]
“Tony’s not like that,” Lesley insisted. Even after all this time she couldn’t keep from defending him. She still wasn’t over him, still wasn’t over the loss of her dreams and the future she’d envisioned. She wanted to forget him, but it was hard. The first ray of hope had been Chase, and now that hope was dashed by his deception.
“It seems to me there’s more to Chase than meets the eye,” Daisy said thoughtfully. “You have to admit he’s innovative.”
“The man rented a billboard and advertised for a wife,” Lesley cried. “That’s not innovation, it’s stupidity.”
Daisy went on, undaunted. “He shows initiative, too.”
“How can you defend him when you haven’t even met him?”
“You’re right, of course,” Daisy agreed, “but there’s something about him I like. He can’t be so bad, otherwise you’d never have gone out with him.”
“That was before I knew what he really was like.”
“The guy’s obviously got money. Did you ever stop to think about that? Billboards don’t come cheap.”
“Money’s never interested me.”
“It doesn’t unless you need it,” Daisy answered with a hint of sarcasm. “Another thing…”
“You mean there’s more?”
“There’s always more. This guy is serious. He isn’t going to string you along the way you-know-who did. Good grief, you were with the-guy-you-don’t-want-me-to-mention how many years?”
“Five.”
“That’s what I thought. Well, let me tell you, there’s an advantage in knowing what a guy wants from you. Chase doesn’t have a hidden agenda.”
“Everything you say is true, but it doesn’t discount the fact that he deceived me.”
“Just a minute.” Daisy frowned at her. “Didn’t you tell me Chase ran after the guy who stole your purse? It isn’t every man who’d get involved in something like that, you know. Did you ever stop to think that mugger might’ve had a gun?”
Lesley had raced after him herself and that possibility had completely escaped her. Apparently it had escaped Chase, too.
“It isn’t every man who’s willing to put his life on the line in order to help another human being,” Daisy continued.
“If the mugger had owned a gun, he would have used it to get my purse,” Lesley said. That had just occurred to her. Now she was free once again to be furious with Chase. She didn’t want to think of him as a hero, even if he’d gotten her purse back for her. The action had been instinctive, she told herself, and nothing more.
“I’m offering you some advice,” Daisy said.
“Are you going to give it to me whether I want it or not?”
“Probably.”
“Then fire away.”
“Don’t be so quick to judge Chase. He sounds like the decent sort to me, and more of a man than—”
“I thought we weren’t going to discuss Tony again.”
Daisy shook her head as if saddened by Lesley’s lack of insight into men. Her eyes brightened as she looked toward the road. “What type of car did you say Chase drives?”
“I didn’t. Why?”
“Because a great-looking guy just pulled up in a red car.”
Lesley whirled around to see Chase climbing out of it. His smile was tentative as his eyes fell on her watering the lawn.
“I haven’t come at a bad time, have I?” he called from the driveway.
Four
“Hey,” Daisy whispered as Chase approached, “this guy is gorgeous. You don’t happen to remember the phone number on that billboard, do you? I think I’ll apply.”
Lesley cast her neighbor a scalding look.
Daisy laughed, obviously considering herself amusing.
“I take it you saw the noon news,” Chase said cautiously.
“You mean the story about your crazy billboard? Yes, I saw it.”
Chase took a couple of steps toward her. “Are you going to squirt me with that hose?”
“I should.” She figured it was a credit to her upbringing that she didn’t.
Angry shouts burst from Daisy’s house and Eric chased Kevin out the front door. Lesley’s neighbor hollered for the two boys to stop fighting. It soon became obvious that she was needed to untangle her sons.
“Darn,” Daisy said, “and I was hoping to hear this.” She stepped forward and shook hands with Chase. “I’m Lesley’s neighbor, Daisy Sullivan. Be patient with her. She’ll come around.