Kristine wrinkled her forehead, as though trying to think of something, anything, that June would let her do. “Then . . . Then in my bouquet, if I even carry one, I’m going to have violets!”
“You tell her, Mom.” Chloe nodded. “Get it all out on the table.”
“Let’s not get it all out.” Kristine gave June a wry look. “I don’t want to start World War Three.”
June’s eyes bugged slightly. “What else could I have possibly done to ruin your wedding day?”
Eagerly, Chloe leaned forward. This was just like sitting in on family therapy. Typically, when the conversation got this heated, the therapist suggested the family take a moment and cool down. But that was not about to happen at this table.
“The speech,” Kristine said, then folded her hands and waited.
“Oh, please.” June sat back in her chair. “Tell me something I haven’t heard.”
“I haven’t heard,” Chloe sang.
“Apparently,” June explained, “your mother and father did not appreciate my wedding toast. However, that was simply because they did not understand it. One day, they will and—”
Kristine’s face was thunderous. “We most certainly will not.”
Chloe was fascinated. “Grandma, what on earth did you say?”
June thought for a moment. “I said—”
“No.” Kristine held up her hand. “Don’t you dare. I do not want that repeated in front of my daughter. It was the most rude, insulting thing I have ever heard.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” June fanned herself with a napkin. “You simply misunderstood.”
Chloe was amazed. She could imagine the two of them back then, planning out the nuances of Kristine’s special day. It was so strange to think that one day, Mary Beth could be sitting here as an adult, listening to Chloe and Kristine discuss the same issues.
Kristine must have caught the expression on her face, because she said, “Chloe, we’re not trying to upset you . . .”
“I’m not upset.” Trying to laugh, she told them what she’d been thinking. “I’m about to become a mother.” She pointed at Kristine. “That makes you a grandmother.” Turning to June, she said, “And that makes you . . .”
June smiled. “Pretty darn great.”
Eyeing the display of scones, Chloe reached for one and absently broke off a corner. “Do you think . . .” Popping it into her mouth, she swallowed it over a lump in her throat. “Do you think I’ll be a good mother?”
Kristine nodded. “Absolutely.”
“Better than me,” June said, her voice mournful. “Apparently, I was a terrible mother.”
“Oh, give me a break.” Kristine’s bright blue eyes scanned the room. “Alright, I’ve had enough. Where’s the waiter? I think I’m going to need something stronger than tea.”
“This does not bode well.” Chloe laughed. “Day one of wedding planning and Mom already has a drinking problem.”
“It’ll only get worse,” June said. “Marriage is a tricky thing. And it all starts with the wedding.”
Forty-eight
Kristine planned to wait until Kevin was home before getting into a serious conversation about the fact that June wanted to pay for the wedding. It wasn’t a topic to discuss over the phone, that was for sure. Even though June’s intentions were good, Kristine knew that he wouldn’t see it that way.
Kevin had always had a strong sense of responsibility for providing for their family. Instead of seeing June’s gesture as what it was—a way for her to control the wedding—he would see it as a slight. He would take it as proof that June didn’t have faith in his ability to give Chloe the wedding she deserved. It was ridiculous, but that’s just how he was.
This worried her, especially since things had gotten so much better between them. Even though Kevin was still on the road all the time, he’d promised to talk to his boss about working from the satellite office or traveling only half of the time. Things were definitely looking up, and Kristine did not want anything to threaten that careful balance they’d found with each other. So, when he got back into town on Friday, she gave herself permission to enjoy one night with him without bringing it up.
Instead of talking about the wedding, they took a long walk around the neighborhood, cooked dinner together and, as they had practically every day since Italy, had amazing sex. As they lay in bed, Kevin held her until they both drifted off to sleep. It had been such a perfect, promising evening, but when she woke up on Saturday, she knew there was no more time to avoid the issue. That afternoon, while getting ready for the engagement