The Reluctant Bride (9 page)

“If you don't mind, Karinne…then thank you, Max. That sounds lovely,” Margot agreed, almost too quickly. “I should go shopping. I have to pick up some things if I'm going rafting.”

“I'll come with you,” Karinne insisted.

“It's okay, darling,” Margot said. “I'll get an early night and see you tomorrow.”

“But…I thought we could spend more time together!”

“Tomorrow, sweetheart.”

Margot practically forced her daughter out of the room. Karinne looked to Max for help but, when none was
forthcoming, reluctantly hugged and kissed her mother goodbye.

Margot backed into the cabin as Karinne stepped out.

Max grabbed the door handle, putting himself between Margot, who was inside, and Karinne outside. “We'll leave after the first breakfast, Mrs. Cavanaugh.”

“Won't you call me Margot? We should be friends,” Margot urged.

Max remembered how he'd lied to Margot as a boy. He doubted Margot had ever realized that.

“As long as Karinne's happy, Margot, that won't be a problem. I have to wonder, though…”

“What?”

“What do you
really
want?” Max asked the older woman.

Margot smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. “The same as you. I want Karinne.”

Max walked hand in hand with Karinne back to their cabin.

“Mom and I barely got to speak to each other. It was almost as if…she couldn't wait to get rid of me,” Karinne said slowly.

“Maybe she was just overwhelmed,” Max suggested.

“After all these years, she finally shows up, and all I get is a few minutes?”

“You sound a bit overwhelmed yourself.” He squeezed her hand. “Don't worry. Once she's on the raft she'll be a captive audience.”

“There is that.” Karinne smiled. “Thank you for inviting her, Max.”

“So…what did she have to say? Anything you want to share?”

Karinne related her mother's tale. At the end of it, Max shook his head.

“Sad, isn't it?”

Karinne nodded. “And I still have to call Dad.”

“That's one conversation he won't be expecting. Do you think he's up to hearing it?”

“I hope so. I don't want to upset him too much. Still, he has to be told.”

They arrived at their own cabin, but instead of going in, Karinne lingered on the porch steps outside the cabin.

“I invited Mom to the wedding,” she said. “It…kind of slipped out. Do you mind?”

“Karinne, I told you,” he said softly, “there isn't going to be any wedding.”

“But you thought I was chasing ghosts. I wasn't, Max! Mom's alive!”

“That doesn't change things.”

“You're right. It doesn't change things for me. I'm marrying you, come hell or high water. And I'd like Mom to be there.”

Max started to argue, then didn't. Karinne had just had a major shock. He wasn't going to add to it, although he'd meant what he said. “Did Margot say yes?”

“Not exactly.”

“Talk about Margot all you want, but don't say anything about yet another wedding that won't happen,” Max said curtly, ignoring the way she blanched. “Why don't you go on in and use the phone? I'll wait out here until you're done, if you want.”

Karinne nodded. She unlocked the cabin door, and tossed him the key. “I won't be long.”

Karinne settled herself on the bed and dialed her old home number. Jeff answered on the third ring.

“Hi, Dad, it's me.”

“Karinne? I didn't expect to hear from you, of all people! I thought you were rafting.”

“I was. I am. We're at Phantom Ranch. I don't know how to tell you this, so I'll just come out and say it. Mom's alive, and she's here. A few cabins away.”

The silence on the other end screamed with tension.

“Are you sure?” Jeff finally asked, his voice hoarse.

“It's her, Dad. Mom's alive.”

Another pause, then, “What does she have to say for herself? Did she bother explaining where she's been all these years?”

“Dad, I don't want to upset you. Your heart…”

“I'll be more upset if you don't tell me,” Jeff said, his voice sounding more normal. “What did she say, Karinne?”

She related everything Margot had said, concluding with, “I just finished seeing her. She's supposed to go rafting with us tomorrow.”

“Your mother turns up out of nowhere and decides it's time to cruise down the Colorado? She's got a hell of a lot of nerve!” Jeff protested.

“I thought we could get reacquainted. Max invited her.”

Jeff swore. “Is Max there?”

“Yes, but—”

“Let me speak to him.”

Karinne put her hand over the mouthpiece. “Max? Dad wants to talk to you.”

Max hurried in and Karinne handed him the phone. She couldn't hear what her father said, but the conversation was short.

“No, don't do anything,” Max said. “You take care of yourself. Yeah, I will. Goodbye.”

“He hung up?” Karinne asked incredulously.

“Yes. He said to tell you he feels fine, and not to cut your visit short on his account.”

“But he didn't say— He didn't make arrangements to see Mom.”

“With his health, I'd let the news sink in.”

“I'll call him back tonight and check on him. And maybe you can have your parents drop in on him,” Karinne said.

“I'll call them right now.” Max was as good as his
word. His mother said she'd look in on Jeff. “And I should touch base with the private investigator, too,” Max told Karinne.

“Max, I'll be outside. I need some fresh air.”

“Fine. I'll come get you when I'm done.” Parker Investigations had been thorough and, while expressing surprise at Margot's present location, had information of their own to impart.

“She's been living in Mexico all this time?” Max asked.

“Yes, in Baja. She hasn't done any photography work under her former name
or
her new one, Margaret Lazar. There's a man in the picture, but I haven't found much else yet.”

“How's she supporting herself?”

“She started out as a waitress in a bar, then switched over to working casinos. She watches the security cameras for cheaters. I haven't filled in the rest of the gaps yet.”

“Did you check to see if she's gambling—run up debts?”

“There aren't any that I can find. Nor have I found any criminal record of her in Mexico. I'm still working on any personal contacts she might have—family, friends. I have her home address.”

“What about the insurance fraud implications? Can she still be held liable in the state of Arizona?”

“Not in a criminal court. The statute of limitations has expired. I suppose the insurance company could file a civil lawsuit for damages if they knew she was alive and back in the country. Since they don't…she seems to be off the hook for now.”

“Thanks,” Max said. “Stay on it. I don't want my—”
ex-fiancée?
“—Karinne or Jeff Cavanaugh burned by Margot. I'll call back in a few days.” As he hung up, he saw Karinne,
who had caught the last of the conversation, reenter the cabin.

“That was a lousy thing to say about my mother.”

“She's already asked me for money once. What's to prevent her from asking you or your father?”

“She wouldn't!”

Max lifted an eyebrow in disbelief.

“Well, if she did, she'd have to have a good reason. And speaking of money, Max, why not discharge the investigator? Why pay good money when we have Mom right here?”

“Because we have too many unanswered questions. Has Margot given you her address? Phone number? Or any way to contact her?”

“Not yet, but she said she wants to stay in touch with me.”

“Has she told you where she's been living all these years? Or with whom? Has she even wanted to spend a few hours with you catching up?”

“No…”

“Margot isn't exactly known for her truthfulness,” Max said. “I don't trust her, and you shouldn't, either. Until we learn more, I'd feel better with a professional on our side.”

“I don't need a private eye to get me Mom's address. I can get it myself.” Karinne defiantly reached for the phone. “And if she's not at her cabin, I'll find her. I'm not going to lose her again.”

Max reached for her arm. “Karinne, the detective got her Mexican address. You can have that. And if he obtains a local address, as well, I'll make sure you get that, too.”

Max didn't add that the detective had come up with another startling piece of information. Medical records showed that Margot had taken maternity leave from her
casino ten years ago. The detective hadn't received the actual birth certificate yet, but according to his research, Margot had another child with the last name of Lazar. Karinne had a sibling.

She hung up the phone without calling. “This is all so confusing. I have a million questions and no answers. Why doesn't she want to see me until tomorrow? She's been watching me for weeks, maybe months, and I haven't seen hide nor hair of her until now.”

Max gathered her into his arms. He couldn't help it. “I don't think Margot would have come all this way just to disappear again after a few hours. If you really want, we can walk back over there.”

“No, she doesn't want me at her cabin,” Karinne said as he hugged her closer. “I've waited all these years,” she said with resignation. “I guess I can wait another day.”

“That's the spirit. For a moment, I thought you might camp out on her porch.”

“Now, why would I want to do that when I have a whole night free to spend with you?”

Max slowly let his arms drop. “There are four of us in the cabin and only two twin beds, remember? I'll be sleeping on the floor.”

“If Cory and Anita weren't in the room, we could push the twin beds together,” Karinne said. “I know you still love me,” she added.

“That was never the question, Karinne. But sometimes love isn't enough.”

“How can you say that?”

“Margot loved you. She says she still does. But it didn't keep the two of you together, did it?”

“So Mom shows up and you disappear? Just like that?”

“Not until this trip is over. Not until we find out what's going on with Margot. I promised you that much.”

Karinne lifted her hands, resting them on his broad shoulders. “Then promise me this, too. Promise you'll give me that same amount of time to try to win you back.”

She wasn't rewarded with a smile, but a single, curt nod. For now, it was enough.

“Mom's back” was her first waking thought. “I need to get Max to marry me” was her second.

Karinne opened her eyes, confused yet rested. She tossed away her covers, fully expecting to be the first one out of bed. But Cory and Anita were already gone, and Max was dressed. He put away the map he'd been studying.

“Good morning,” he said.

“Why didn't you wake me?”

“I tried. You were out cold.”

She rubbed her eyes and, from a sitting position, looked around. “Where is everyone?”

“Cory and Anita went to get in line for breakfast. Your mother's joining us.”

Karinne scrambled for clean clothes and dressed hurriedly. She noticed that the other packs were still in the room.

“Aren't we checking out?”

“Later, or we'll miss first breakfast. The sun hasn't reached us yet—you might want to grab a jacket. Ready?” he asked.

“Oh, yes.” Karinne leaned forward to give him an enthusiastic hug and good-morning kiss. Max responded enough to put a smile on her face. Yesterday had been traumatic, but that was yesterday. Today, she had her mother back, Max
in her arms and a fresh start with both of them. Despite the shadows on the canyon floor, the sun far above seemed to shine particularly bright and the air seemed extraordinarily clear as she and Max joined the others. Cory and Anita had brought trays of food for them and secured seats. Margot was at their table.

“Good morning, everyone. Mom…” Karinne hugged her mother and sat down next to her.

“I'm here, darling. I'm not going anywhere.”

Anita made a special effort to converse with Margot, Karinne saw. Max seemed somewhat reserved, as did Cory, only interacting when Margot spoke directly to them. The brothers didn't seem very pleased about Margot's resurrection, although neither made any remarks that would detract from Karinne's happiness.

“Are you sure you don't mind me rafting with you?” Margot asked Max. “I know Karinne said you have the room and the supplies, but if it's any inconvenience…”

“Glad to have you along,” Max replied briskly.

“Yes,” Anita seconded. “What better way for us all to become, uh, reacquainted with the mother of the bride?”

Karinne held her breath but Max nodded his agreement without mentioning that their engagement was on rocky ground, and Margot visibly relaxed. The topic of the wedding remained the subject of conversation throughout breakfast. Max didn't participate, and Karinne hoped it meant he was reconsidering his stance.

“I wish I could see your engagement ring,” Margot said.

“I left it at home. Didn't want to risk losing it,” Karinne replied.

“I want details! And tell me about your dress, the church, the reception…and who's coming.”

“You are, of course,” Karinne insisted.

“If I did, I wouldn't take any attention away from you and Max, I promise,” Margot said.

“I'm sure everyone would be happy to have you there, Mom.”

“Your father might not agree…” Margot's voice drifted off uneasily. “But never mind. I promised myself today would be all about good things, nothing negative. Now, tell me about the cake.”

“White icing, silver edging and cut flowers. It's five tiers, white alternating with chocolate,” Karinne explained. “I've had it picked out for ages, but I haven't ordered it yet.”

“You didn't tell me that!” Anita said.

“Chocolate cake?” echoed Margot.

“Why not? Max and I love chocolate, but the whole thing is covered in white icing. The centerpiece will match the flower arrangements…. I've had the wedding scheduled twice before, but now I'm so glad I have it booked for November. You'll be there!”

 

M
AX BIT HIS TONGUE
as he listened to the discussion, his patience tested to the limit. All the time they'd been together, Karinne had never shown such possessiveness. Now that they weren't engaged anymore—not as far as he was concerned, anyway—she was suddenly the passionate romantic. Karinne wasn't taking him seriously. Nor was she reacting to her mother's reappearance with an ounce of sense. Instead of questioning Margot, she was playing eager bride to a loving parent. Only Karinne wasn't going to be a bride, and Margot wasn't much of a parent. Still, the last thing he wanted to do was embarrass Karinne in front of the others or ruin her joy in the reunion.

“Where are you going to stay in Phoenix?” Karinne asked, pouring her mother another cup of coffee.

“Probably a little motel,” Margot said.

“No, let me pay for a nice hotel. Or maybe you could stay with Dad until the wedding.”

Max hid his dismay at Karinne's suggestion. Cory actually rolled his eyes. Karinne had a big heart, but she needed more tact. He wondered if Karinne's father would be as forgiving. Fortunately, Margot had the same idea.

“Unless that invitation comes from your father, I'd better not,” Margot said carefully. “Although I'd like to see Jeff again. And Phoenix.”

“Then stay with me and Anita,” Karinne offered.

“That's very generous of you,” Margot said, smiling.

Cory threw Max a telling glance. Obviously he didn't want Margot staying with Anita—not until they knew more about her. However, Max had background information from the investigator that no one else possessed. He intended to make use of it right now, to see how honest Margot would be.

“So…where've you been living?” Max asked, lightly salting his eggs.

“Mexico, mostly.”

“Are you still taking photographs?” Cory asked, passing Max the pepper.

“I never stopped, but I've been focusing on children's portraits in my spare time. Karinne, you've turned into a great photographer. I have a scrapbook of some of your sports photos, darling. I've kept it all these years.” She paused. “What would you like as a wedding gift, by the way?”

“You coming home is the only gift I need.” Karinne smiled.

“How long
are
you staying?” Cory asked bluntly, saving Max the question.

“Not long. I'll come back for the wedding. I can't take too much time off work.”

Max could well believe that. Margot couldn't be doing well financially, or she wouldn't have asked him for money when she'd called.

“Where are you working, Mom? Out of the house or a studio?”

Max waited for Margot to lie, but she didn't.

“Neither. I work full-time, screening security monitors at a casino. It's not as interesting as photography, but it does require a good eye, which I have.”

Margot certainly was a charmer, he had to admit. Karinne and Margot and even Anita were chatting like any normal family and friends. Cory joined in the conversation as needed, but like Max, he'd cooled off after Karinne offered to take Margot into his wife's apartment before the wedding. The instincts that kept both brothers alive on the river had kicked into overdrive. Margot Cavanaugh, alias Margaret Lazar, might love her daughter, but her definition of love wasn't exactly orthodox. Karinne was glowing, so Max would bide his time, vowing to keep a close eye on both mother and daughter.

At least he'd have help. He'd filled Cory in on most of the information from the detective, including Margot's alias.

The first breakfast was almost finished. Soon the canteen hall would be cleared to make way for the second. They had ten minutes before they had to leave. Cory popped a piece of toast crust into his mouth. Anita slugged down the last of her cooled coffee.

“Mom, we need to pick up our packs,” Karinne said. “Where's yours?”

“In my cabin.”

“You're still rafting with us, right?” Cory asked.

Margot hesitated. “I was thinking…maybe I should've mentioned it before. I, um, have a roommate,” she murmured. “He'd like to come along.”

“Oh,” Karinne said. “I didn't see anyone last night.”

Max's eyes narrowed.
Neither did I.
No wonder Margot couldn't wait to get him and Karinne out of the cabin.

“Why didn't you say anything then?” he asked.

“I was nervous. I didn't want to scare Karinne off. My…roommate was eating dinner just outside at the picnic tables.”

“I walked right past him?” Karinne swallowed hard as Margot nodded.

“Of course your mother wouldn't be alone all these years,” Anita said quickly. “It makes sense that she'd find…friends.”

“What's his name?” Cory asked.

Trust Cory to ask the most difficult questions, Max thought to himself. But Cory's questions saved him from asking himself.

“His name is Jonathan—he goes by Jon. Would you like to meet him?”

Karinne flicked a glance at Max. “Of course.”

“He's already here. I won't leave him alone.” Margot stood and walked over to the closest person at the next table. She laid her hand on the shoulder of a young boy. “My son.” A nine-year-old boy looked up—his dark eyes, hair and skin the exact opposite of Margot.

“This is Karinne. Come and give your sister a hug,” Margot said.

Karinne faced the young boy, who obediently came over and gave her a shy hug. After a startled moment, Karinne hugged him back. Max brought over the boy's empty chair. The gesture was wasted. Margot gathered the child into her arms, just as she used to do when Karinne was small, to make introductions.

“Hi. Mom told me about you,” Jon said to Karinne in comfortable English but with a slight Spanish accent.

“She just told me about you. This is a surprise. I didn't know I had a brother.”

Margot avoided Karinne's reproachful gaze.

Jon noticed Karinne's pink sweatshirt. “Mom bought me a brown one like yours,” he said. “But I spilled soda on it.”

“Don't worry.” Margot kissed Jon's cheek. “It'll wash out.”

“Cory, why don't you and I go back to the cabin and load up our backpacks?” Anita suggested.

Cory got the hint. He took his tray and Anita's. “I'll check us all out, Max. We'll wait for you at the docks.”

“Nice to meet you, Jon,” Anita said politely. “See you later.”

“Bye,” Cory said.

Jon slid out of his mother's lap and sat in an empty chair.

“Did you finish your breakfast?” Margot asked, looking at his plate on the other table.

The boy nodded. “Are we going rafting?”

“If you wish,” Max said kindly. The boy's face seemed pale, his manner nervous. “Can you swim?”

“Dad taught me,” Jon said.

“Then let's get your gear,” Max said, his voice genuinely warm.

Jon actually smiled. “Can we, Mom?”

Max rose and held out Karinne's chair so she could get up. Jon copied Max and did the same for his mother. Max took Karinne's hand. He wished Margot hadn't put him on the spot for an additional two partners rafting, but what other choice did he have? At least the private investigator hadn't found any recent criminal activity on Margot's part. But then, he hadn't learned about this child, either. And he
hadn't provided any information about Jon's dad, who was presumably still in the picture.

At their cabin door, Jon said, “I'll do the key, Mom!”

Margot handed him the key, and Jon unlocked the door, leaving it open. “This is Mom's,” he said, pointing to the blue backpack. “Mine's brown.”

A knock sounded at the open door. Margot looked up, startled, at the two men outside her door. They both wore park ranger green, but they were armed.

“Margot Cavanaugh? Alias Margaret Lazar?”

“I'm Margot.”

One of the police officers approached her with a folded paper, while the other readied his handcuffs. “We have a warrant for your arrest.”

Phantom Ranch docks

“W
HERE ARE THEY
?” Cory asked for the third time in ten minutes. He checked his watch, standing on the dock near their raft. “It's been half an hour.”

“Maybe Margot needed extra gear, after all,” Anita said.

“Even if she did, it wouldn't take Max long to get things organized.” Cory snorted. “This whole situation is too bizarre. I'll give him another few minutes. The crowds can't still be holding them up—especially with everyone in the food lines.”

“Try your cell phone,” Anita suggested. “Or your walkie-talkie.”

“What cell? They don't work here, and both radios are stowed in the raft.”

Anita took a seat on the dock bench and drew her knees up to her chin. “I don't mind waiting. It'll give Karinne a chance to catch her breath.”

“And Max. What a breakfast, huh?” Cory said, sitting beside her. “The woman disappears for years, then comes back to show off her son to Karinne. Talk about a slap in the face.”

“It can't be easy for Karinne
or
Jon,” Anita observed. “I couldn't tell if he felt like a brother.”

“Half brother. I wonder who Jon's father is.”

“And where.”

“I hope he's not hiding behind the bushes. Next, we'll have
him
begging for a raft ride, too,” Cory said with undisguised sarcasm. “I can't take any more shocks on just one cup of coffee. Missing relatives coming out of the closet, new relatives in tow…” Anita nodded.

Cory leaned over and picked up Anita's hand. “I'm not sure having Margot stay at the apartment is the wisest course of action.”

“I'll be up here with you, so I thought it was a nice gesture of Karinne's. You don't want Margot staying with her? Or Jon?”

“No.”

“But the three of them could catch up more easily than if Margot's in a hotel. They'd have more privacy.”

“Who knows whether Jon comes back for the wedding or not. And don't forget about Jeff.”

Anita groaned. “He won't approve at all.”

Cory checked his watch again. “Something's wrong. They should've been here by now. I'm going to look for them.”