Marriage Matters

Forty-three

Kristine walked into the pantry off June’s kitchen, shutting the door behind her. Her mouth was dry and she felt dizzy. There were too many things to take in.

June’s engagement was a wonderful surprise. The fact that June and Charley had fallen for each other . . . well, nothing could seem more natural. Chloe, on the other hand . . . Kristine put her hand to her chest just thinking about it.

Yes, Geoff seemed poised and earnest, but he and Chloe had just met! They’d only known each other for two months. Yes, Kristine wanted her daughter to find love and get married but this was much too fast. How long was it going to take for Chloe to really think about this and panic? Or maybe—and Kristine could only hope—her daughter had accepted the proposal out of courtesy, planning to break it off when there weren’t so many people around.

Or maybe Chloe and Geoff really were meant to be. Maybe they would get married and live happily ever after. But did happily ever after even exist?

Even after the magical time she and Kevin had shared together in Venice, she still had questions about their relationship. It was one thing to be romantic on vacation. But at home? With this triple wedding—a triple wedding, for heaven’s sake—she would be solidifying a vow to accept him the way things were, for better or for worse. Even if nothing changed.

“Shit,” Kristine said softly. “Shit, shit, shit.”

“I certainly hope you are not cussing out my dry goods,” a familiar voice said from behind her.

Kristine turned to face her mother. “No, no.” She pasted on a smile. “Not at all. Mom, I’m so happy for you.”

June waggled her ring finger. “Can you believe it?”

“Yes, I can. But you told me you hated that man,” she teased. “That the very sight of him made you break out in hives. That you thought he’d bury your body in the garden.”

June grinned. “Well, I was wrong.” Pulling the pantry door shut behind her, she whispered, “Have you noticed how handsome he looks in his gardening shirt?”

Kristine laughed. “That will be your engagement photo. The two of you dressed alike, in gardening gear.” Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that a few of June’s canned goods were out of order. Quickly, she put them back into place.

“Kristine.” June laid a hand over hers. Their hands were exactly the same. But Kristine’s hands were still young and smooth, while June’s were spotted with age. “You’re upset about Chloe’s engagement, aren’t you?”

Kristine hesitated and her shoulders slumped. “She hardly knows him. It’s so risky. It’s—”

“Chloe deserves to be happy. It’s not your job to judge the situation. It’s your job to guide her to make the best decisions within the framework of what she’s decided to do.”

Kristine eyed her mother. Where had this new, enlightened version of June come from? Maybe falling in love had changed her. Or maybe (more likely) she approved of the match.

Shaking her head, Kristine pressed her fingers into the tender area around her nose. It was painful to the touch and she wondered if she’d caught a cold on the plane. “I don’t know,” she said. “I just don’t know if I can get behind this.”

“I know you’re worried. But he’s lovely.” Her mother seemed to consider something. “I’ve heard that his little girl, on the other hand . . .”

“I forgot about that,” Kristine groaned, sinking against a shelf. “Chloe’s going to be a mother? She’s not ready for that.”

“Chloe loves children,” June said. “Especially the naughty ones. The universe has a way of giving us what we ask for. Maybe she just forgot to be specific.”

Kristine shook her head. Against her will, tears pricked at the edge of her lashes.

“Kristine, don’t cry,” June pleaded. “Sweetheart, this is a happy time. I promise you.”

Maybe because she was tired from the flight or the uncertainty of it all, she gave over to her tears. “Come here.” Her mother pulled her in tight. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I’m sorry.” She sniffled. “I don’t mean to ruin things. I’m really happy for you guys. For all of us. But I just . . . I don’t want to see Chloe get her heart broken.”

June patted her on the back, just as she’d done so often when Kristine was a little girl. When the tears finally stopped, June handed her a napkin shaped like a turkey. It was from a plastic bag sitting on the shelf, and Kristine had a vague memory of seeing these napkins at Thanksgiving a few years ago. It had been just Chloe, Kristine and June celebrating. Kevin was stuck in Denver or somewhere, thanks to a snowstorm.

“You don’t have to worry about Chloe,” June promised. “Geoff’s not going to break her heart.”

“Are you sure about that?” She pressed the napkin to her eyes, thankful that she wasn’t wearing mascara. With the other hand, she pushed open the pantry door and scanned the dining room. Chloe was telling a story, gesturing wildly. Her new ring glinted in the candlelight. Kevin and Charley were chuckling as Geoff gazed at her in adoration.

June peered over her shoulder. “To be honest,” she murmured, “Chloe’s much more likely to break his.”