things, so I was grateful to you for doing them. And grateful to you for your kindness to our daughter.”
“I love her. That part isn’t in question. But my affection probably contributed to the fact I railroaded her.”
It wasn’t easy having children, Maggie thought. It wasn’t easy getting the balance right. She saw that so much more clearly now. Love and caring could so easily turn into smothering, and it wasn’t easy to know where to draw the line.
She sat up a little straighter. “I think you’re being too hard on yourself. If she’d had doubts, about the relationship or the speed of the wedding, she should have talked to Dan.”
Catherine sniffed. “You think so?”
“Yes.” Maggie said it firmly, to convince both of them. “If they’re adult enough to get married, they’re adult enough to sort out any problems they encounter.”
“You’re so rational and mature.”
Maggie burst out laughing. “I wish. Let’s just say I had an epiphany recently.”
“Dan is as focused and stubborn as I am. When he wants something, he goes for it. It’s a strength, but it’s also a flaw. Maybe Rosie tried to talk, and he didn’t listen. And now he’s in shock.”
Maggie finished her coffee. “I like Dan, a lot. I’m sure he and Rosie will work this out.”
“And if they don’t?”
Maggie tried to ignore the sick lurch in her stomach. Would she ever lose that impulse to reach for her phone and check on her daughter? “Then they both will have learned something from it. And we will pick up the pieces and support.”
“I don’t understand why everyone was in your bedroom this morning. And why so much tension? No one told me anything.”
Maggie fiddled with her coffee cup. “This is the part of the conversation where you’re going to be mad with me.”
“I can’t imagine that ever happening.”
They were about to find out. “About our second honeymoon—”
“I think it’s so romantic.”
“It’s not romantic. It’s fake. Or it was fake. Nick and I have been living separately for months.” She told Catherine everything, from the slow demise of her marriage, to their decision to fake their relationship for a little longer so that they didn’t spoil the wedding.
Catherine listened without saying anything and when Maggie had finally finished, she stirred.
“So I brought you back together?”
“Yes. It’s been years since Nick and I spent time as a couple. Enjoyed ourselves. Our relationship had turned into something close to an administrative arrangement. Because we were faking this second honeymoon, we were forced to do all the things you’d so kindly arranged. The sledding. The romantic dinner. We haven’t done anything like that in long time.”
“And it turned into something real. You fell in love again.” Catherine pressed her hand to her heart. “You have no idea how happy that makes me. But what does this have to do with this morning?”
“Yesterday, Katie overheard us talking about divorce. Naturally, she was upset. She walked off, and that’s how she ended up spending the night in Jordan’s cabin. But she obviously assumed we would have told Rosie. When she discovered we hadn’t—well, she’s very protective of her sister.”
“Of course she is,” Catherine murmured. “Isn’t that what sisters are for?”
“She seemed to think Rosie was having doubts, and was using our marriage as evidence that a whirlwind relationship could work. Katie felt it was her responsibility to tell her the truth. I assume Rosie didn’t believe her, so Katie dragged her over to our tree house for an honest conversation.”
“But you were in bed, enjoying your new relationship.” Catherine started to laugh and Maggie felt herself blush.
“I can assure you having your grown kids walking in when you’re having sex is not funny.”
“I know, I know.” Catherine wiped her eyes. “But honestly, you couldn’t make this up. But Katie must be thrilled to know you’re getting back together?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t spoken to her. Dan heard her trying to convince Rosie not to use our marriage as reassurance, and he was understandably upset. That’s when you arrived.”
“So do the girls know that you and Nick are together again?”
“They should do. We tried telling them. But it was rather chaotic, and then there’s the fact that Katie doesn’t trust us much right now. She’ll probably never believe a single thing I say ever again. You think this is your fault but I think it’s mine. If I’d told the girls the truth from the beginning, Katie wouldn’t have come charging in this morning, Rosie wouldn’t have followed and Dan wouldn’t