From #1 Maisy Gallaher has always dreamt of becoming a nurse, a beacon of hope and healing for those in need. But when her father passed away, she selflessly set aside her aspirations to help her family. Despite knowing it was the right thing to do, she can’t help but wish for the path not taken. Chase Furst, on the other hand, is primarily focused on his own life and his work as a hardened bank executive and heir to a financial empire. His childhood was marred by his mother’s struggle with addiction, leaving him jaded and emotionally distant. Then he meets Maisy, a beautiful woman full of optimism and kindness who can see past his defenses. To his surprise and annoyance, Maisy offers to help Chase in a time of need, despite just meeting him. The two butt heads, especially when Maisy declines his offer of payment. Instead, she asks him to pay it forward to someone else--not with money or a quick fix, but through an act of true selflessness. Chase doesn’t know where to begin. Despite his skepticism, Chase is determined to rise to this challenge. And doing good for others leads Chase back to Maisy, who begins to break down his walls, even as she resists risking her own gentle heart. But the more time they spend together, the more they realize how much they have to learn from each other . . . and how much love could make a difference in their future.

Autorentext

Debbie Macomber is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Fifteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller lists, and six of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, in addition to the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

Klappentext

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes an uplifting story of an unforgettable chance encounter between a successful yet jaded businessman and a woman who sees—but also expects—the best in everyone, sparking an unlikely romance that challenges their assumptions about generosity, trust, and the gifts of unforeseen love.

Maisy Gallagher has her own dreams, but when her father passes away, she selflessly sets them aside to help her family. Despite knowing it was the right thing to do, she can’t help but wish for the road not taken.

Chase Furst, the hardened heir to a financial empire, is on the other hand primarily focused on his own life and on his work as a bank executive. His childhood was marred by his mother’s struggle with addiction, and left him cynical and emotionally distant.

But then Chase meets Maisy, a beautiful woman full of optimism and kindness who can see past his defenses. To his surprise and annoyance, she offers to help him during a time of need, and declines his offer of payment. Instead, she asks him to pay it forward—and not with money or a quick fix, but through an act of true selflessness. At a loss, Chase doesn’t know where to begin.

Zusammenfassung
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber comes an uplifting story of an unforgettable chance encounter between a successful yet jaded businessman and a woman who sees—but also expects—the best in everyone, sparking an unlikely romance that challenges their assumptions about generosity, trust, and the gifts of unforeseen love.

Maisy Gallagher has her own dreams, but when her father passes away, she selflessly sets them aside to help her family. Despite knowing it was the right thing to do, she can’t help but wish for the road not taken.

Chase Furst, the hardened heir to a financial empire, is on the other hand primarily focused on his own life and on his work as a bank executive. His childhood was marred by his mother’s struggle with addiction, and left him cynical and emotionally distant.

But then Chase meets Maisy, a beautiful woman full of optimism and kindness who can see past his defenses. To his surprise and annoyance, she offers to help him during a time of need, and declines his offer of payment. Instead, she asks him to pay it forward—and not with money or a quick fix, but through an act of true selflessness. At a loss, Chase doesn’t know where to begin.

Leseprobe
Chapter One

Chase Furst shifted impatiently from one foot to the other. This day just seemed to get worse by the minute. All he wanted was to pay for The Wall Street Journal, get to his gate, and wait for his flight.

One would think purchasing a newspaper would be a simple thing. Only the woman standing in front of him was talking to the cashier at the checkout stand like she was a female Dr. Phil.

“Really, Laura, give yourself credit. You raised Bella, you gave her a good foundation with boundaries and love. Now trust she’ll make the right decisions,” the woman in front of him said. She placed a reassuring hand on the other woman’s forearm as if to lend her comfort.

Chase felt as though he’d walked into the middle of a soap opera.

“I wasn’t able to give Bella a decent father, and try as I might, I can’t be both parents to her. She’s so vulnerable. I wish I could afford to put her in a private school. The one she attends isn’t in the best neighborhood.”

“I know, and I understand your concerns.”

“In the last few weeks, she’s gotten much worse. She’s only fifteen, but she acts like she’s twenty. One look at her so-called boyfriend and all I see is trouble. She’s so quick to come to his defense. I don’t know what happened to my sweet girl.”

“Give her time,” the woman urged.

“It terrifies me that Bella will make the same mistakes I did and fall for the wrong man.”

It sounded as if the cashier was close to tears.

Chase rolled his eyes. Heaven save him from women and their emotional drama. He had enough to worry about in his own life. The pressure from his father to marry weighed on him. Worse, Simon had essentially made the choice for him, seeing that Chase had cycled through one meaningless relationship after another for the last several years. His father worried that Chase was incapable of choosing the right woman. This from a man with three marriages behind him, no less. Chase’s current girlfriend, Astrid, had been handpicked by his father and fulfilled every requirement for his son to one day take over the huge Furst financial empire. Chase liked Astrid well enough, but he wasn’t really feeling it.

“The things Bella says to me are shocking.”

“She doesn’t mean any of it. You know that,” the woman continued with her back to him, her voice soft and comforting.

“Bella’s temper is out of control.”

“She’s venting.”

The woman standing at the cash register sighed. “I don’t know how much more I can take, Maisy.”

Me, either, Chase silently mused.

“Have faith.”

“I wish it was that easy . . .”

“I’ll make more of an effort to stay in touch with her,” the woman named Maisy promised.

The relief in the cashier’s face was immediate. “Would you?”

“Of course. We both know how difficult the teen years can be.”

“Excuse me,” Chase said, with limited patience, interrupting the flow of the conversation.

The women pretended not to hear him. One thing Chase refused to tolerate was being ignored. His frustration had reached its limit. Stepping forward, he butted his way to the counter until he stood in front of the cashier. “What’s the name of your supervisor?” he demanded…