Blossom Street Brides (Blossom Street #10)(40)

“You’re forgetting Grant is the one who walked out on your mother,” Max felt obliged to remind her.

“So? He made a mistake. I bet you’ve made one or two of those yourself, although I doubt you’d ever admit it.”

Max had no intention of arguing with her. “I have, for sure.”

“It was a midlife-crisis thing with Dad. All men go through that.”

Not all men abandon their wives and children. Again, Max bit his tongue.

“I don’t know how you can sleep in this house,” she said, spreading out her arms and gesturing about her. “This is where my dad lived. This is where he slept with my mom. Doesn’t it bother you that you’re sleeping in the same bed as my dad?”

“Actually, it did, which is one reason we purchased a new bedroom set.” Max hoped that by agreeing with her, it might take away some of her animosity toward him.

She glared back at him.

“Annie, listen,” he said, willing to try again. “You don’t have to like me. I realize it’s hard for you and your dad to accept that your mother didn’t choose to give your father another chance, but—”

“She would have if it wasn’t for you.”

“Are you sure of that?” Max was unconvinced.

“Yes, I’m sure. Dad is still crazy about Mom. He would have done anything to win her back. He would have stood on his head in the middle of the I-5 corridor if Mom would’ve given him a second chance. Even now he never dates. All he can think about is Mom and what he lost. It breaks my heart to watch my dad pine after my mother.”

“Have you ever had this conversation with your mother?” he asked gently. “The reason I ask is because I did, before we were married. It was important to me that I not tear up this family. Do you know what she told me?”

“No, and I don’t care what she said. It was a lie. I’m convinced to the very roots of my being that given time Dad would have been able to convince Mom that they were meant to be together.”

Max continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “Bethanne told me that it wouldn’t have mattered if she’d met me or not. A reconciliation with Grant would never have worked. She isn’t the same woman he divorced. She’s changed. She told me that after your father moved out, she was close to a nervous breakdown. She was emotionally fragile, and every day was a struggle. It wasn’t until she came up with the idea of starting the party business that she was able to face going on.”

For the first time since they’d started talking it seemed that Annie was truly listening, and so he continued. “She made new friends.”

“And she started knitting,” Annie added softly. “After Dad moved out it was awful for all of us. All Mom did was cry … She couldn’t even make the phone call to sign up for the knitting class. I had to do it for her.”

“Then Maverick gave her the start-up money she needed.”

“She told you about Maverick?”

Max nodded. “I wish I’d known the old coot. He sounds like he was a wonderful man.”

“He was,” Annie agreed. She crossed her arms over her chest.

At last Max felt like he was making progress. “I was watching the baseball game. Do you want to come sit with me until your mother gets back?”

Right away, Annie stiffened as if she’d woken from a trance. “No. I meant what I said. You and I are never going to be chummy.”

“That’s a shame, because I was hoping that someday we could be friends.”

“It ain’t gonna happen.”

He shrugged. “You can dislike me all you want, Annie, but it isn’t going to change the fact that I’m married to your mother and I love her. I genuinely love her.”

“So does my dad.”

“Then your father needs to accept the fact that there are consequences to his actions. Your mother doesn’t hold a grudge against him. She forgave him long before I came into the picture, but that doesn’t mean she was willing to remarry him.”

“You’re wrong,” she insisted. “I don’t care what Mom told you, she would have taken my dad back if it wasn’t for you.”

Max had heard about all he could take. “Annie, listen, I’m sorry I ruined the perfect picture of the reunited family that you’ve painted in your mind. I wish we could be friends, but you’ve made it clear you aren’t interested. I can accept that. However, for your mother’s sake, I ask that we both make an effort to be civil and get along.”

“No, I can’t and I won’t, because one day Mom is going to wake up and realize what a horrible mistake she made marrying you.”

Apparently, Annie held on to the fantasy that her mother would have the same kind of epiphany. The one Grant had had when he realized what a mess he’d made of his life by walking out on Bethanne and their children. Maybe Annie was right, but Max sincerely doubted it.

“You’re not thinking of your mother, Annie,” he said. “It’s all about you, and you’re being immature.”

The color drained out of Annie’s face. “How dare you talk to me like that.”

Just then the door opened and Bethanne came into the kitchen, both arms loaded down with groceries. Max immediately went to help her.

“Annie,” she said, smiling, genuinely pleased to see her daughter, “this is a surprise.”