The Reluctant Bride by Anne Marie Duquette

head and gazed upward, her eyes unfocused, remembering the past. Memories of her mother and father and happier times flooded her mind. And sharing all those memories were Cory and Max…especially Max.
    She never would’ve guessed that Max had sent Margot away from his house without telling her. She angrily wondered why he’d kept that secret from her for so long. Her anger rose at his betrayal now in calling off their wedding. Had she really been as selfish as he thought? She didn’t think so. Max and Cory had each other growing up; they still had each other as adults. As an only child, she’d clung to her mother as all little girls did, and mourned Margot’sabsence in her life. How could she not follow up on this mystery? And how could she make him see that loving Margot didn’t detract one bit from her loving him? She’d been blessed to have Max in her life. She wasn’t about to give him up without a fight.
    It was past ten, late for river trips, when Max finally entered the tent. He saw Karinne, still dressed, awake.
    â€œWe have an early day tomorrow. You should get to bed,” he suggested, sitting on his own bag and untying his sneakers.
    â€œKind of hard to sleep,” she responded. “You dumped me today, remember?”
    Max said nothing. She sat up and crossed her legs, watching him undress. She took in the strength of his shoulders, the hard chest she’d snuggled up to so many times, the lean hips. He stripped down to his briefs, hesitated, removed those and climbed into his sleeping bag, leaving the side unzipped. Like Karinne, though, he remained sitting.
    â€œDo you want to talk about it?” she asked.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen we won’t talk. We’ll make love instead.” Karinne started to undress.
    â€œKarinne…”
    â€œYour exact words were…when this business with your mother is over, we’re done. It’s not over yet. No reason we can’t enjoy each other’s company.” She dropped her shirt, and then her jeans. “I still love you. It’s been a long time since we’ve been together. You can’t say you haven’t missed me.”
    â€œYou’re just making things harder,” Max said, but he didn’t look away as she dropped her bra and panties onto the pile of discarded clothing.
    â€œOne last time, Max,” she said, kneeling before him. “One last time, and I won’t ask again.”
    For a moment she thought he’d rebuff her, but he didn’t. He reached for her and brought her close, his lips meeting hers. Then he pulled her down and stroked the bare skin of her back, murmuring words of love. She responded the way she always did with him, her body and soul drinking him in, her heart throbbing with the joy and passion he aroused in her. But this time, their physical satisfaction left her emotionally unfulfilled.
    And later, when Karinne crawled back into her own sleeping bag, Max didn’t protest. It was only then that she realized Max could be right. Perhaps it was truly over, after all.
    But then she heard Max say, “Karinne?”
    She forced herself to answer calmly. “Yes?”
    â€œI wanted you to see how I live. Really live, not just on weekends. That’s why I wanted this trip. I needed to know if you could love this place, too, enough to be here with me.”
    Hope welled within her. “Then let me try. I’ve made mistakes. You’re right about my father,” she admitted. “He does need more than I can give him.”
    Silence.
    â€œI shouldn’t have expected you to raise our family alone,” Max admitted.
    Karinne almost smiled. “Well, we’re making progress. Max, don’t write us off yet.”
    â€œNo,” he said simply. “But if by some miracle things go well—and I’m not making any promises—can you live without your career?” he asked.
    â€œIt’d be hard.