The Reluctant Bride (11 page)

The next day, outside Margot's cabin, Karinne set out fruit, trail mix and boxed drinks for herself, Anita and Jon. She wasn't hungry, but breakfast had been a failure, and preparing snacks was something to do. She'd packed up her mother's clothing except for a single fresh outfit. The men had left under dark gray skies to finish the legal paperwork, post bail and bring Margot back to the cabin.

The weather didn't add any cheer. Even the canyon colors seemed washed out, muddy. Originally, Karinne wanted to hike with Max to the temporary holding cell in the bottom of the canyon, which was mostly used for the drunk and disorderly.

“You and I can go post bail, Max,” Karinne suggested.

Jon immediately grabbed Karinne's hand. “Me, too.”

“No, son, I think you should stay here,” Max said. “You, too, Karinne. Margot won't want Jon—or you—to see her in a jail cell.”

“Why don't I go with Max?” Cory volunteered.

Karinne nodded her agreement.

“We'll be back soon,” he said.

“How soon?” Jon asked Max.

“I'm not sure. More than an hour, depending on the paperwork, plus the hike. Two hours, tops.” He kissed
Karinne's cheek and squeezed Jon's shoulder. “Don't hold lunch for us. You're in charge, big guy.”

Jon brightened a little, but he didn't eat any more breakfast than Karinne or Anita. Hence, the snacks. They remained untouched, still wrapped at the picnic table. Karinne absently shooed away the occasional fly and waited.

 

M
AX DIDN'T TAKE
his usual brisk steps to the ranger station.

“Why so slow? You okay?” Cory asked. The holding cell was a half-hour walk at a fast clip.

“Yeah. Just wondering if Margot's trustworthy enough not to skip bail. The P.I. told me she had a gambling problem.”

“So you said.”

“Margot was gambling before she disappeared. I wonder if she still is.”

“Thank heaven there's no casinos down here.”

“I'd hate for Karinne to lose her bail money,” Max said.

“Does Margot know you've hired a detective?”

“Oh, she'll know. I'll make sure of that.”

“Good for you,” Cory said. “And…”

“I'm waiting for more information. The detective agency has nothing valid from Arizona, no surprise there. He's still checking in Mexico.”

“Maybe she's just sleeping with the boyfriend, this Lazar, and keeping up appearances for her son's sake.”

“That's a definite possibility,” Max said as the men hiked side by side.

“That would be one legal problem solved for Margot. Although I don't suppose she can lie to Jon about her marriage to Jeff forever.”

“Even without bigamy charges, Margot's still liable to
the insurance company. None of this explains why she suddenly reappears to see a daughter she abandoned years ago. Why bring her lover's son? Or risk legal proceedings?” Max asked. “She has everything to lose.”

“Maybe she's gambled away all her money again, and she's here to get money out of Karinne. She couldn't post bail. She needs Karinne's credit card for that.”

“It's more than money. Margot had enough to get her and Jon all the way here from Mexico and back.”

“I don't care. I'm still watching my wallet,” Cory warned. “You should, too. You know…I have an idea.” Cory grabbed at Max, stopping their progress. “Let's pretend to lose Karinne's credit card—and keep Margot here a bit longer until the detective finds out more.”

“Tempting…but no. Besides, I plan to use my own credit card.”

“Noble, but stupid, Max.”

“Yeah, well, everything I do when it comes to Karinne is stupid.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“You might as well know the wedding is off.”

“
What?
Karinne called it off?”

“No, I did.”

Cory waited until some of the closer hikers passed them by and they had privacy.

“What happened?” Cory asked, his forehead lined with concern. “I thought you loved her.”

“I do…always have. But it's obvious she doesn't need me, Cory. Doesn't want me. Doesn't want children. I guess I need more than just the words.”

“What did Karinne say?”

“She's still in denial. Then her mother showed up and—”

“God, Max, I'm sorry.”

Max shrugged. “Speaking of her mother, let's pick up the pace. We don't have all day.”

They reached the jail in good time and started the procedure that would set Margot free. In under an hour, Max, Cory and a weary Margot were outside the holding cell on the trail that would take them back to the others. The two men walked on either side of Margot.

“How's Jon?” Margot immediately asked once they were under way.

“Good,” Max said. “He's with Karinne, of course.”

“We left him eating breakfast at the cabin,” Cory added.

“And Karinne? Is she okay?”

“She is,” Max replied.

“I hope Jon's not too worried,” Margot fretted.

“Yeah, don't worry about your daughter,” Cory said with disgust. “Listen, I'll hurry over to the cabin and tell them both that you're coming.”

Cory jogged ahead on the trail, obviously eager to escape Margot. Meanwhile, she shifted nervously from one foot to the other, her face pale.

“Would you like some water?” Max asked.

“No, my back's just stiff. Let's keep walking.”

Max offered his arm. After a pause, Margot took it as they negotiated crowds of people on the footpath.

“The prison bunks aren't very comfortable. It's the first time I've ever been in one. I hope it's the last.”

Margot shivered and her fingers around his arm seemed cold. They slowed to a necessary stop as the crowd bottlenecked around a scenic curve. Everyone was actively on the move, and Max took advantage of the empty benches.

“Why don't we take a breather.”

He led Margot off the trail to a place in the shade be
neath some cottonwoods. There, he removed his canteen and offered it as Margot sat.

She took a few swallows and held it in her lap. “I guess I was thirsty after all,” she admitted.

“Did you eat anything yesterday?”

“Not much. I was too upset.”

Margot had another sip of water, then screwed on the cap and handed the canteen back to Max.

“Who called the police on me? I know it wasn't Karinne.
Was
it you?”

“No. It was Jeff.”

“I should've guessed.”

“Karinne talked to him earlier and told him you'd resurfaced,” Max confirmed. “I'm sorry.”

“So am I.” Margot paused. “If you have any questions, ask them now,” she said abruptly. “Excuse me?”

“You've been kind to me and my son—almost as kind as Karinne.”

“I'm not sure about that.”

“The guard said you posted bail, not Karinne. Thank you. I promise I'll pay you back.”

“You should know that Karinne wanted to post bail herself,” Max said. “She gave me her credit card.”

“Then why use yours?”

Max shrugged. “The important thing is that you're out of there. Can I ask you a personal question?”

“Ask me anything. If I can answer, I will.”

Max searched for a tactful way to broach the subject. “You mentioned a second husband. I didn't know you divorced Jeff.”

“I haven't. The bigamy charge wouldn't stand up in court, despite Jeff's claims. He jumped the gun. I was just
protecting Jon. But I could hardly explain that to the rangers in front of my children. If they even would've listened.”

“So your second marriage is…?”

“A pretense, of course.”

“I wondered about that.”

“You never trusted easily, Max.”

“In my job, caution gets to be a habit. That's why I hired someone to check out your background.”

“Why?”

“I felt I had to,” Max admitted. “When you first called me, you asked for money. And there were discrepancies in your story. The investigator didn't say you still worked as a photographer.”

“I didn't say I took photos for pay. I photograph Jon.”

“Semantics, Mrs. C. Semantics. You work in a casino—not a good job for someone with a gambling problem.”

“You did get your money's worth, Max. And I'm not gambling anymore.”

Max frowned. “How did you pass the background check for the casino?”

“I used my real name. We're not talking Las Vegas or Monte Carlo,” Margot said dryly. “I'm very good at spotting cardsharps. I used to be one.”

“And Stephan Lazar?”

“We met in the casino. When I started, I worked the floor, making sure players at the blackjack and poker tables weren't cheating. I graduated to the cameras upstairs. But before that, I met Jon's father. The oil workers came in every payday. They were a pretty honest group. Stephan noticed me and we began dating. One thing led to another…”

“To Jon?”

“Yes. I wasn't planning on it, but I wanted the baby. I also knew Jeff wouldn't want me back. At first I didn't tell Stephan I was pregnant. Finally I had to say something
or break off my relationship with him—I couldn't hide it forever. So I pretended to be widowed, but said I couldn't remarry without losing my widow's pension. Stephan argued that I wouldn't need it, that he'd provide for me, but I convinced him I couldn't give up my imaginary pension. He accepted that, eagerly laid claim to his son and calls me his wife. Stephan's a good man. I agreed to move in with him two months before Jon was due.”

“Does Stephan know about Karinne?”

“Yes. So does Jon. I told them my grown daughter travels frequently.”

“You told
them,
but not Karinne….” Max shook his head, feeling bad for the unknown “husband” but worse for Karinne.

“So I'm a coward. But I believed concealing the truth was best for my new family.”

“Why the cloak-and-dagger routine? Why break your silence after all these years?”

“I didn't want to miss Karinne's wedding.”

Max looked directly at her. “It isn't for months yet.”

She sighed. “I know.”

“Then why bring Jon? You told me to ask, Margot. So I'm asking. Why are you
really
here?”

“To save my son. He's sick.”

“Sick? Jon didn't seem ill to me.”

Margot hesitated. “Earlier this year, Jon was hospitalized for a prolonged, severe case of the flu. It was viral, but he just couldn't seem to shake it. The lab work came back with red flags.”

“Go on.”

“The doctors discovered he was born with a problem kidney. The tests show signs of CKD—chronic kidney disease. It's a progressive loss of renal functions. It can take
anywhere from months to years to develop, but eventually causes renal failure. In Jon's case, we're talking months.”

“I'm sorry. Does Jon know?”

“Of course he does, but he doesn't realize how sick he could get.”

“Then why risk your son's health—”

“I would never do that!” Margot said angrily. “The doctors said he could fly.”

“To reunite Jon with a sister he's never seen?”

“Jon's going to need a new kidney soon.”

“You said he had a problem kidney. Singular. What's wrong with the other?”

“He was born with only one.”

Max suddenly understood where the conversation was going. He recapped the canteen.

“The doctors said Jon needs a kidney transplant. It doesn't matter if it comes from an adult or child. I'd give him one of mine, but I'm not a match. Down the road, when things get worse, he can hold on with medication and dialysis, but not forever.”

“So you
didn't
come for our wedding. You came back for, what, spare parts?” Max felt his stomach drop at the ghoulishness of the situation.

Margot flushed. “If Karinne and Jon are a tissue match, Jon has a fighting chance. It would be perfectly safe for her.”

“No surgery is
perfectly safe.
”

“She can live a normal life with one kidney.”

“She could die.” He went cold at the very thought. “
Jon
could die! Do you think I'd risk so much and come so far if there were any other choice?”

“Karinne didn't say anything about this to me.”

“I haven't told her yet.”

Which was what he'd suspected. Margot's presence
seemed to be pulling him and Karinne further apart. She hadn't mentioned her mother and the sweatshirt; he hadn't told Karinne about the phone calls and hiring a detective. And now this…

“I've answered all your questions,” Margot said. “I'd like you to answer one for me.”

Max raised his head.

“When I came to your house years ago and asked where Karinne was, you said you didn't know.”

“That's what I said.”

“I've wondered all these years—was it the truth?”

“No. I lied.”

Margot blanched. “Where was she?”

“Inside the house, playing with Cory.”

“So close.” Margot looked near tears. “You have no idea of the grief you caused me. I would've taken her with me, you know.”

He didn't respond.

“Why did you lie, Max? You were always honest.”

“Because, Mrs. C, somehow I knew…you weren't.”

Karinne saw her mother and Max from a distance and ran to greet them. She hugged her mother first, and then Max.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “How is she?”

“A little rough around the edges, but she'll be fine.”

Karinne gave Max a final squeeze, and then turned back toward Margot. Her release from jail, and the subsequent mother-son reunion, brought smiles to everyone's faces. Max felt better seeing the boy perk up. Having one's mother in jail had to be traumatic. He hoped that the stress of this trip wouldn't have any physical impact on the boy, either. He wondered how Karinne was doing. Margot had left her daughter as a young child, then returned only because of her second child; Karinne would soon find that out.

He noticed that she hadn't smiled lately. He could hardly blame her. So far, Margot's appearance had them turning to private investigators and to others, not each other.

And thanks to Margot, Karinne would be distracted as they rafted downriver, during her first real opportunity to learn about his job. While he hardly expected to compete with a reappearing mother and unknown brother, or Jeff with his heart condition, it seemed that there was always
something
impinging on whatever time he did get with Karinne.

It was just as well that he'd stopped dreaming, stopped hoping for a future for them as husband and wife. That thought hurt, and he suspected it would continue to do so. But all in all, it was for the best. He wanted a woman who was committed to him heart and soul. He refused to be an afterthought or an also-ran. Perhaps it was his own fault. He'd been the older friend, almost a big brother to Karinne as well as Cory growing up. And despite their physical relationship as mature adults, Karinne seemed to take him for granted. He was in the background of her life, the guy she could always count on.

He shook off those gloomy thoughts and replenished the woodpile while Margot showered and changed into fresh clothes. Inside, Karinne kept her mother company. Max and Cory remained out on the porch. Anita and Jon poked around back, searching for and identifying animal life. Max took the opportunity to quietly update Cory on what he'd learned from Margot and his private detective.

“Let me get this straight,” Cory said, stacking his load. “Margot played dead, never got divorced, but says she's pretending marriage to the new guy. So the second husband's not a husband…just Jon's father?”

“Who thinks he's living with a widow. When Karinne repeated Margot's story about the marriage to her own father, Jeff obviously jumped to conclusions,” Max said. “Hence the bigamy charge.”

“At least she won't need a lawyer or a court appearance to deal with that.” Cory shrugged. “So Margot saw your wedding announcement and invited herself—and her son. How's she been keeping tabs on Karinne…newspaper bylines? The internet?”

“Both, I suspect. But Margot isn't here for the wedding. That's months away—not that it'll even happen. Margot's on a treasure hunt. And Karinne's the treasure.”

“Now you've lost me.”

Max explained, concluding with, “Jon needs a kidney transplant. Margot's not a match. She's hoping Karinne is.”

“What about his father's side of the family? Has she asked them? Let Margot play vulture around
those
people, not Karinne,” Cory said indignantly. “How did Margot even know Karinne was here at the canyon?”

“The detective says Margot and Jon were our tour's last-minute cancellation,” Max said. “And we did just what she'd hoped we do—asked Karinne and Anita to take the vacant space.”

“That detective should be getting more family medical records. Karinne goes under the knife, or Karinne goes to her brother's funeral. Some choice. Who could say no?”

“I don't know if Karinne can—unless it's a ruse to get money, and I don't think it is,” Max said. “Margot sounded pretty desperate, but she hasn't told Karinne yet.”

“You should call the police again. If she's telling the truth, it's close to extortion.”

“Karinne wouldn't press charges against her mother. Margot comes first,” Max said, his brows meeting in disapproval.

Cory broke some long, dry kindling over his thigh. “I'll bet Jeff would press charges. He's already proved that much. Did you tell him about Jon's kidney problem?”

“No, I just found out. Besides, the man's got heart problems. That's the last thing he needs to know right now. But I suppose someone will have to tell him if Karinne's a tissue match.”

“Half siblings…I dunno, Max,” Cory said. “Is it even possible? I mean, they might as well be strangers.”

“That's irrelevant as far as donor compatibility goes. Besides, Karinne and Margot aren't strangers,” Max said
grimly. “Gods knows what those two are talking about in there.”

Max gestured toward the closed cabin door. Anita and Jon were laughing in the distance, playing pirates with two brown sticks as swords.

“If Jon's sick, how did he and Margot get down to us from topside?” Cory asked.

“The mules. Margot's rented the cabin for two more days.”

“I saw she had two mules reserved for the trip up when I was checking for cancellations,” Cory confirmed.

“Which means she's been planning this for some time.”

Cory lowered his voice even more. “With a sick child, I'm sure Margot's not staying around until the wedding. It's in the fall.”

“There's not going to be any wedding, remember?”

Cory sighed. “You've got to tell Karinne about this whole donor idea—before Margot puts her own particular spin on it.”

“I'm sure I won't have to,” Max said. “Margot's telling Karinne as we speak. She doesn't waste an opportunity, that woman.”

“You're probably right.” Cory thumped his brother on the shoulder in sympathy. “I guess the raft trip is over.”

“That's what I've been trying to say. You and Anita don't have to hang around. Hike on up to the rim.”

“Not without you and Karinne. Max…are you really calling it off? Isn't there any chance you two will patch things up?”

“About as much chance as Margot and Jeff living happily ever after,” Max said grimly.

 

K
ARINNE SAT
on Jon's bed—her brother's bed—in shock at the news. She could hardly fathom Margot's story.

“So…you found a new family? You remarried?”

“No, because I never got divorced. Stephan doesn't know that.” Margot sat next to her in bare feet. Barefoot but otherwise dressed, Margot pulled on clean socks. That everyday, ordinary task seemed out of place with such momentous news, at least to Karinne. Margot had apparently spent the first decade of her new life gambling, working—in casinos, no less—and gambling some more.

“Oh, Mom.” Her mother's whole life had been a lie, first with her original family, then with her new one.

Margot's carefree existence had suddenly changed when she met Jon's father.

“Stephan was the first man since Jeff I was really serious about. I didn't rush things, but I missed having someone. Eventually Stephan and I had sex—safe sex, of course. Who doesn't these days? I didn't plan to get pregnant. Jon was a definite surprise, but it didn't matter. Stephan was my chance for a fresh start.”

“Without Dad or me?”

“Stephan wanted to be part of raising the baby, and I was lonely. After ten years of the night life, I was drained. I wanted a regular life, a family. I missed the early days when I was happily married…but not the years when your father and I were fighting.” She sat down again next to Karinne, the shoes in her lap. “I had—have—a gambling problem, as I told you. Back then, it wasn't under control. Jeff threatened to divorce me and take full custody of you.” Karinne stared.

“I think I went crazy,” Margot said. “I started gambling even more, and that's when I lost the house. I didn't know what to do.”

“You could have asked for
help!
”

“I was past help. I love you, Karinne. I wanted my daughter to remember the woman I was, instead of the wife and mother who threw it all away at the blackjack tables.”

“Max said you wanted money from him. Why, Mom?”

“Not for gambling! Only for false ID to get into this country under an assumed name. I couldn't afford it, and I didn't dare ask Stephan for the money. To him, I'm a widow, Mrs.
Jeff Cavanaugh.
But I go by Margaret Lazar now.”

“How did you get into the U.S.?” Karinne demanded. “If you didn't have ID?”

“I told the border officials I was a Mexican citizen. I had Jon's birth certificate to back me up. And it's what Stephan believes me to be.”

“In other words, you've committed fraud again. That's an awfully big risk for someone who quit gambling. Or have you?”

“I am gambling, Karinne, but not on cards or dice—on
you.
I told you Jon was my son. I didn't tell you he has a serious kidney problem. He could die. You could be a donor match for him. I'm not.”

“Just on your say-so, I'm to believe this?”

“He's your biological
half brother,
” Margot emphasized. “Any DNA test will prove it. You can do the compatibility test at the same time. I have a copy of Jon's medical records. I'll let you see them.”

“Compatibility?” Karinne swallowed hard. “What about Stephan? What about his family? Don't they want to help?”

“Of course they do! But they aren't matches, either. We've tested everyone, Karinne, except you.”

Karinne didn't know what to think. “Why isn't Stephan here with you?” she asked suspiciously.

“He can't leave his job and risk losing medical coverage. Will you get the blood test?”

“Fine. I'll get the labs done—for Jon, not for you.”

“And if they match, will you be a donor?” Margot begged, reaching for daughter's hand.

“I'll consider it—if he's truly my brother.”

“He is.” Margot's shoes fell on the floor as she hugged Karinne tightly. “I knew you wouldn't let me down. Thank you, darling.”

Karinne didn't pull away, nor could she make herself hug her mother back. She studied Margot with new eyes and suddenly understood how her gentle father could get so angry. She felt volatile herself, full of rage and despair, hate and love. She needed fresh air. But as she opened the door, Jon, Anita, Cory and Max rushed inside. Despite the earlier promise of sun, dangerous sheets of monsoon rain suddenly cascaded from above. A huge gust of wind ripped a half-dead tree from the ground and flung it through the foursome's cabin's side, shattering boards and glass. At the sound of it, Max and Cory hurried outside, slickers on. They soon returned with bad news.

“Our cabin's taken a hit, people. We're all stuck here for the night.”

 

T
HE RAIN CONTINUED
to fall in torrents hours after it had begun and well into the night, forcing everyone to stay sheltered due to the violence of the storm. The rain wouldn't let up into lighter individual droplets; it poured sheets of solid water that beat on the cabin's roof and drowned out the popping of logs in the fireplace. The tepid rain became colder with the onset of darkness, and the chilly dampness in the cabin was only partially lessened by the fire's glow.

Karinne watched for Max's return. He'd gone out into the rain to check the level of the Colorado and the water
saturation of the camping area. They'd alternated every few hours getting wood. In one bed mother and son were sleeping. Anita lay in the other. Karinne sat at the foot, but neither woman's eyes were closed. Cory slouched in front of the fire, his elbow resting on the raised rock hearth.

Karinne was awake; she felt glad Jon and Margot were asleep, but wished Max would hurry back. She didn't like to think of him out in the elements. While she knew they didn't frighten him, she also knew that nature often claimed the upper hand.

“You're soaked,” Cory said when Max eventually returned. “Take my place by the fire.”

“The river's still rising?” Karinne handed him a towel and dry shirt as Max took Cory's spot.

“Yes, but that's to be expected.”

Anita sat up in bed. “We're safe here, right?”

“We're okay for now. Still…the water's up to my ankles in places, and down by the docks it's deeper. Nor is the rain letting up. This isn't a regular rain shower, people. This is an early monsoon.”

“Did you swing by the ranger cabin, Max?” Cory asked.

“Yes. They hadn't bedded down for the night. If the rain doesn't decrease by morning, the evac flag goes up, they said.”

“What about—” Karinne gestured toward the bed where her mother and brother slept. “They have mule rides reserved.”

Max rubbed the towel over his dripping head and face. “The mules won't be coming down tomorrow. The rangers said the mule train will stay topside, along with any riders.”

Cory frowned. “We can't hike in a monsoon. Safety would be a problem.”

“A big problem,” Max agreed. “The weather would make the main trail impassible. Come first light, I'll bring our raft inland—in case we have to navigate to higher ground.”

Karinne's spirits sank. “Higher ground? Is it that bad? The river's dammed.”

“Yes, but we still have to deal with actual rainfall between dams.”

“These cabins were built up off the ground,” Anita observed.

“Just a few feet. I'd rather not take chances,” Max said.

“But you said the water was only ankle-deep,” Cory said.

“If the rain doesn't let up, I'll be surprised to find the dock above water in the morning. I'd hate to lose the raft,” Max said. “We definitely might need it.”

“Or the life jackets,” Anita added nervously.