To Have and to Hold by Laura Dower Page B

anymore. He’s going to be too busy with Stephanie,” Madison said.
    “Maddie,” Mom said sweetly. “You have to stop worrying about Dad. He’s not going anywhere. You need to believe that. You’re not losing a father….”
    “Well, I’m not gaining a mother!” Madison snapped.
    “I wasn’t going to say that,” Mom said.
    “Sorry.”
    “Honey bear, maybe you should lie down and get some sleep,” Mom suggested. “You sound tired.”
    “Yeah, I guess,” Madison said. “And you should go to sleep, too.”
    “Why don’t you call me tomorrow afternoon?” Mom asked.
    Madison agreed to say good night and talk to her mom the next day. As soon as she hung up the phone, Madison realized she hadn’t even told Mom about the lost suitcase.
    Knock , knock , knock.
    Madison glanced over at the adjoining door. What did Dad want? She lumbered over and unlocked the door from her side.
    Madison was shocked to see Stephanie standing there, not Dad. She looked as though she had been crying.
    “Hi there,” Stephanie said, coming into the room. “I just drove up from the ranch. I wanted to wish you good night, Maddie. We didn’t really get a chance to talk tonight.”
    “Oh, that’s okay,” Madison said, feeling vaguely uncomfortable.
    Stephanie blew her nose into a tissue and sniffled. Madison could see black mascara gummed up around her eyes.
    “Thank you for coming to the party,” Stephanie said. “I know how tough it was with all those people. Your dad said you were a little overwhelmed. I should have done a better job at introducing you around….”
    Madison sat and listened.
    “As you saw, my family can be a lot to handle. Mother likes to do things big, like I told you. And this wedding has gotten to be very big, indeed. Maybe too big. But what can you do?”
    Madison still didn’t respond.
    “Well, that was really all I wanted to say….” Stephanie seemed uncomfortable now, too.
    “It’s really okay,” Madison finally blurted out.
    Stephanie smiled and took a deep breath. “What a big thing, getting married. I had no idea how complicated it could get.”
    Madison shrugged. “Me, neither.”
    “Your father says I get all worked up, and that I should just relax, but, you know, sometimes it’s just hard not to get so emotional, and … well, I don’t need to tell you all this, do I?” Stephanie bowed her head and sighed. “I talk too much.”
    They sat there in silence for a few minutes. Then Madison broke the silence.
    “Stephanie?” Madison asked tentatively. “Do you love Dad?”
    A look of shock spread over Stephanie’s face. “Love him? Why, of course, I love him.”
    “I love him, too,” Madison said. “I just wanted you to know that.”
    “Of course,” Stephanie said. She looked deep into Madison’s eyes. “You’re a very special little girl,” she said.
    Madison hated the word “little,” but she didn’t voice her objection aloud.
    “Thanks,” Madison replied simply. “I guess.”
    “I’m lucky to have you both in my life,” Stephanie said. “I am so excited about becoming your stepmother.”
    Madison hated that word, too. She couldn’t help thinking of Cinderella. But she could also tell how hard Stephanie was trying to make nice with her. Madison reflected upon what Mom had said about asking if Stephanie needed help with the wedding.
    “Um … is there anything I can do to help this weekend?” Madison asked. “Besides reading at the wedding, I mean.”
    Stephanie let out a little gasp. Then she started to cry again. Madison wasn’t sure what to do.
    “Are you okay?” Madison asked, her voice shaking a little.
    “Oh! Oh!” Stephanie said. Real words seemed to have gotten trapped in her throat. “I’m just a little overwhelmed. Nothing for you to worry about.” She wiped her eyes, which smudged the mascara some more.
    Madison swallowed hard. This day rated right up there as one of the strangest days in her life. First, there had been the lost suitcase;