The Reluctant Bride (17 page)

“I think you'd better sit down,” he said.

“Max? What's wrong?”

“Sit down,” he repeated. She took a seat on the couch, and he sat beside her. “Remember when we first got engaged and you authorized me as your emergency contact?”

“Yes. What's up?”

“The hospital called. It's about your tests.”

“Already?”

“The doctors want you to go back for more tests.”

“Oh.” She digested the news. “I guess I can do that. I'll go first thing tomorrow.”

Max shook his head. “They want you to go there today, as an inpatient.”

“What?”

“They think you have the same kidney disease your brother has, Karinne. Chronic kidney disease can run in families.”

“I…I feel fine.”

“You look fine. But so did Jon. I packed you an overnight bag. They're waiting for us.”

Karinne swallowed hard. “You didn't tell Dad, did you?”

“No. But I did call Jon and asked him to tell your mother.”

Transplant Surgical Ward,
Deserette Hospital, Flagstaff

A
MONTH LATER
, Max and Cory waited quietly outside the room while Karinne had one last pre-op exam by her doctors. Margot and Anita were in the room with her, the brothers outside with Jeff.

“I still can't believe Karinne needed the kidney transplant,” Cory said, shaking his head. “Or that Margot would end up being her donor. If she hadn't come back…”

Max said nothing, but his face reflected the strain he'd been under ever since discovering the news.

“Good thing Jon's a candidate for that new treatment program,” Cory said. “That and occasional dialysis will keep him out of surgery. And your work kept Margot out of jail. If you hadn't…”

Max nodded. His lawyer had been successful in getting the insurance company to drop charges on compassionate grounds. Shaken by the news of Karinne's illness, Jeff had helped with some of the transactions himself.

“She would've come back to Karinne even if the charges hadn't been dropped. And donating a kidney—I guess that makes up for some of the past. I just wish I'd been able to do more,” Jeff said, for while Margot and Karinne were compatible tissue matches, Jeff and Karinne were not.

Jon and Karinne had not been donor matches, either, although one of Jon's cousins had shown both compatibility and a willingness to help if Jon needed it in the future. Karinne had the same progressive kidney disease as Jon did, moderate on the left side and heavily advanced and necrotic on the right. Unlike Jon, she hadn't responded to medication. Margot had immediately volunteered one of her own to replace Karinne's right kidney, which had to be removed. Today, she'd receive one of Margot's healthy organs.

Max and Karinne had talked last night, the night before the surgery. The couple had walked hand in hand to the hospital patio outside, the fierceness of the sun gone, the air flooded with desert moonlight.

“You okay about tomorrow? Not feeling guilty about taking Margot up on her offer?” Max had asked.

The doctors had told Karinne that a single healthy kidney could take over ninety-five percent of the function of a healthy pair. With only her one remaining kidney, she
wouldn't be one-hundred-percent fit, but she wouldn't be an invalid, either. And she could still have children.

“I guess I'm still in shock about everything. It was one hell of a vacation, wasn't it? My mother comes back from the dead, I get a new brother, I end up in the hospital and Mom gets to play heroine, after all.”

Max smiled. “Everyone else already had their turn, including you.” Max had then told Karinne more about the events after she'd bravely left to go get the raft—Cory and Anita's strength, Jon's courage and, most of all, Margot's actions despite her despair.

“She never stopped looking for both you and Jon, Karinne. Cory said she kept those binoculars glued to her face during the whole time. She still had them when she went under. That's why she was trapped. Cory said the leather strap saved her….”

Karinne's lips parted. “He didn't tell me that.”

“Without them, she would've been swept away. Cory wouldn't have found her.” He paused. “Margot acted very selfishly, but it seems she never stopped loving you, Karinne.”

Karinne had her own revelations. “She told me she came back to Arizona to see me during holidays, birthdays. To watch me from a distance… She even came to my graduation. I never guessed…I wish I'd known. And now…this. But Max, you don't seem surprised by my mother's about-face.”

“Not now. I never would've believed she'd be your donor. Like your father, I was ready to write her off forever.”

“Why didn't you?”

“Because you bring out the best in those around you, including me.” Max pulled her closer. “You always have. It's a rare gift. You have a most positive effect on those around you. You're unselfish, so they are, too. Margot gives you
a kidney. Jeff puts aside his rage and opens his home to Margot and Jon. Cory nearly drowns rescuing Margot. Jon went after you in a storm to prove himself a true member of your family….”

“Like you and Cory are,” Karinne murmured.

“And even Anita goes on a rafting vacation with you, and the woman can't swim a stroke.”

“I didn't know,” Karinne said ruefully. “Besides, her husband was the main attraction, not me.”

“She was your roommate and friend long before she married Cory.” Max turned her in his arms. “You're a cut above the rest of us. I almost missed seeing that myself lately.”

“Now,
that
I don't believe,” Karinne said with a smile. “I made sure you noticed me as soon as I was out of school.”

“I'm not talking about college days. I'm talking about this past week.”

“I almost lost you. I thought I'd lost you all.” Her voice cracked.

“But you didn't. In fact, you've gained something. I had a lot of time to think, floating in the water with Jon. I want children, Karinne. Our children. Adopted or biological. Whatever works out for us.”

“Me, too. You'll make a good father, Max.” The stars shone crisp and clear, but in Karinne's eyes they blurred for a moment. Beyond them, the desert night grew cooler. The owls and bats came out to soar and mate above the saguaros, while the coyotes howled to one another, like calling like. “Mom as a grandmother—now, that's a scary thought,” Karinne said with a grin.

“I wouldn't worry.”

“She and Jon are going back to Mexico after my surgery and the wedding—which is right after we check out of the
hospital. No more rescheduling. I'm wishing for the fastest recovery on record.”

“You'll both be all right,” Max assured her. “By the way, Margot said she held nothing against me for lying to her all those years ago—because it would've been wrong to take you away from your home and Jeff.”

“I'm glad.” Karinne smiled. “I would never have had you if she had. Now kiss me.”

And he did.

One year later,
Havasu Falls, Grand Canyon

The azure Arizona sky blazed above Havasu Falls as Max peeled off his shirt and tossed it over his backpack on the ground. A pair of golden eagles glided on the thermals above as he and Karinne shed the rest of their clothing to their swimsuits beneath. Max appreciatively took in Karinne's figure. The surgical scar had faded enough that she wore a two-piece suit instead of a maillot. Max thought her even more beautiful than before.

“And to think you wanted to spend our first anniversary in Hawaii,” Karinne said as she unbuttoned her blouse.

Since their wedding at the Grand Canyon a year ago, Karinne had never wanted to leave, just as Max had always hoped. The magic of the canyon—or Max—had worked its spell on her. She and Margot had come through the surgery successfully. By the time both had recovered, Max and Jeff had arranged for the wedding to be outside at the rim of the canyon, at Karinne's insistence.

“Your home is my home now, Max. It's beautiful, more beautiful than any professional decor could be. I have my dress and veil—that's all I need. I don't want us to be apart again.”

“But you've been planning a big church wedding for years,” Max protested.

“Yes, I have, but I'm done with planning. Now all I want is to get married—at our new home.”

Karinne got her wish.

With Anita and Cory as their witnesses, she and Max spoke their vows with the stunning colors of the Grand Canyon behind them. For Karinne, “family” now meant people she truly loved, not just blood kin. Cory and Max's mother was in that group. Like Max, they'd loved her since she was a child, while Anita had shown herself to be a true sister.

Jeff, Margot and Jon were also present. Afraid that Karinne and Max might elope, Jeff had agreed to Margot's presence, and was genuinely friendly to the young Jon.

Having the people she loved around her made her wedding complete, but it was Max who made
her
complete. He always had, and always would.

Now, emerald and turquoise water danced before them—the hot springs bubbling up from smooth, many-colored rocks. Hand in hand, they walked barefoot from pool to pool, the tiered levels gently stepping down in easy levels. Some levels lay above the main cascade. In the lower regions, a few teens swam in the deeper water, frolicking in the cascade's spray. “What does
Havasupai
mean again?” Karinne asked.

“
Pai
is people,
Havasu
means blue-and-green waters. I told you earlier, remember?” Max asked.

“No. Next time you share any cultural facts, make sure I'm paying attention, okay?”

“I've tried,” Max replied, “but you keep changing anthropology into anatomy lessons. My anatomy, to be specific. Not that I'm complaining, mind you…”

Karinne blushed. Romance in the great outdoors instead
of a bedroom was decadently new for her—and something she especially enjoyed. But then, much of her life was new. She'd left behind the old after Max had rescued her from the raft that July day when she'd seen Margot and fallen in. She'd emerged a different woman.

Karinne was exploring new horizons as a photographer. She'd assembled a portfolio of Colorado River and Grand Canyon shots. She now worked for the government, documenting geographic changes for river conservation efforts. Karinne had proudly become the latest photographer to carry on the photographic work started by Powell and his explorers. As long as the Colorado River continued to reshape the Grand Canyon, her future employment was ensured.

The waters of Havasu Falls, still Native American land smack in the middle of the canyon's national park, remained unchanged and pristine for their first anniversary. The prehistoric rocks parted deep below to give birth to hot springs. There, steaming water made its way up to the surface, heated by the earth's core. As the spring rose, it mingled with minerals from the deep crust. Instead of silt-colored red waters, or the clarity of clear, lake-bottom dam water, Havasu Creek bubbled up in waves of brilliantly colored blues and greens that danced and spilled over smooth curves of smooth boulders. The three rainbowed waterfalls gently scooped a network of tiered pools that led down to the Colorado.

“This is my favorite spot,” Max said, taking her hand and leading her toward the Havasu waters.

“It's so beautiful.”

Max drew Karinne into his lap, and they sat in waist-high water, his chin resting on her shoulder.

“What are you thinking?” Max asked, stroking away
wet hair from her forehead and tucking a strand behind her ear.

“Now that Jon's doing so well, he wants another vacation with us according to Mom. I guess that includes her, too.”

“They were here just six weeks ago,” Max said, a bit impatiently. “Your mother can't expect to make up for lost time all at once. We've only been married a year!”

They'd all come a long way since the flood more than a year ago. Following Karinne's example, Anita had decided to stay permanently in Grand Canyon Village. Both couples ended their long-distance relationships in favor of
much
closer proximity and planned for children in the future. Cory and Max argued over who'd be the most capable father. Max stoutly swore it would be him.

“I had you as a little brother to practice on,” Max said.

“But I never showed you all my tricks,” Cory told him. “So I'll be the better dad.”

“I'll be around to help out—if you need me,” Margot had volunteered. “Drop me a line or call. I'm only a short flight away.”

Margot had also made some changes in her life. She told Stephan the whole truth about her past. It had taken him a while to get over the fact that Margot had lied to him about being a widow, and that she'd flown Jon to Arizona without his knowledge. Fortunately for Margot, Jeff was granted a speedy divorce.

Wisely, Margot had legally married Stephan in Mexico as soon as he calmed down. She made no mention of moving to Arizona, and remained content with her second family. However, she did convince Stephan that Jon should know his half sister, and allow them to visit.

Since then, Jeff had moved into a retirement village near the canyon. While he wasn't dating again, he'd made
new friends, male and female. He'd even joined Karinne on some of her less-strenuous photographic sessions at the canyon.

“I guess Margot and Jon don't know the meaning of
newlywed,
” Max said.

“Don't forget Dad. He seems to enjoy popping up with his cameras whenever I have a trip planned.”

“They just can't stay away from you.”

“I think the great outdoors is the real draw,” Karinne said modestly. “I can never get over how beautiful this is. The water is perfect and even Anita's enjoying it.”

“At least she can swim now,” Max added.

“I'm surprised she's not terrified of water…. I still can't believe how far she's come learning to be a river guide.”

Karinne had seen Cory calmer and relaxed with Anita at his side. Anita and Cory would continue with the rafting business full-time. Max had offered them a half share, and they'd enthusiastically accepted. Anita was doing the books, too.

Yes, the “vacation from hell” had turned into something heavenly….

“Happy anniversary, Max.” Karinne smiled.

“Same to you. But I didn't buy you a gift.”

“That's okay. I have one for you.” Karinne disengaged Max's hands from her waist. “It's in my pack.”

Max climbed out of the water and pulled out a wrapped present. He unfolded the paper to reveal a boating catalog. One eyebrow raised in confusion, he carefully returned the wrapping and ribbon into her pack.

“I still owe you a boat engine, remember? I dropped yours at the pier during the monsoon.”

“Karinne, don't be ridiculous. I'm not going to hold you accountable for that.”

“But I'm determined to make amends.” Karinne climbed
out of the water herself. “I've marked one I think you'll like. Check it out.”

Max flipped to the folded catalog page. “These aren't engines or rafts. They're houseboats.”

“That's right. By this time next year, we'll have to pack up the tents. I don't think your raft is big enough for a crib,” she teased.

Max actually dropped the catalog. “The doctors…?”

“Gave me the green light. We can start trying for a baby anytime—tonight, if you want.”

Max stared at her in wonder. Silently, they stood and left the waterfall hand in hand. Back on the private shores of the Colorado, they held each other close.

Sometime later, they lay, quietly satisfied, basking in the afterglow of a tender joining.

“So…like your present?” Karinne asked.

“Yeah, but I like the giver more than the gift. I do have to find a specialty dealer,” Max murmured to himself. “Flagstaff's closer, although Phoenix might have more of a selection. What do you think?”

“I think I should've saved the catalog for tomorrow,” she said with a laugh.

“You don't want to look?” he asked, one hand on his flash light.

“Not now.” Karinne yawned, rolling onto her side of the double sleeping bag. “If I wanted to read, I'd be nose-deep in the baby books I brought.”

His reluctant bride had become a willing one, committed to their marriage and the baby to come.

He trusted her with his heart and his soul—because she
was
his heart and soul. Max let the beauty and magic of love flood his senses, thankful for the two of them, the desert stars and their triumph over the monsoon waters. He
gathered her in his arms and held her close, knowing deep down inside that by saving Karinne from Margot all those years ago…

He'd saved her for himself.