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The photographers showed up around one and everyone gathered for the big photo shoot Bethanne noticed that Grant reh he did spend so to her father and his lady friend, Suzette, who’d arrived in Seattle that veryand had rushed to the church

Fifteen in, Bethanne, Courtney and thewith the three bridesmaids, assembled in a suests arriving

If she survived this day it would be a h the years, the one that frayed her nerves theyou should know," Courtney said as Bethanne adjusted her veil

Her future daughter-in-law looked so serious that Bethanne paused and lowered her hands "Oh?"

"Andrew sent Max an invitation to the wedding He felt it was the least we could do after he gave us the wine"

"And he didn’t think to tellto, but, well, he wasn’t sure how you’d react We knew Grant wouldn’t be pleased but Andrew said he really didn’t care"

Bethanne inhaled a cal breath If she was nervous before, this news set her coht now!

"Mom?" Annie stepped toward her "You okay?"

She forced herself to nod "Andrew invited Max to the wedding"

"He did?"

Bethanne clasped her hands

"Are you glad?"

Bethanne suddenly broke into a huge slad I know that disappoints you, Annie…"

"No," her daughter said, stopping her "It doesn’t I could see it wasn’t really working with you and Dad You both wanted it to, especially Dad, but it’s too late"

Her daughter had recognized that almost before Bethanne did "I’ll talk to your father after the wedding"

"All I ever really wanted was for you to be happy, Mom"

"I know"

"Don’t worry about Dad He’ll be fine"

Bethanne was convinced of that, as well

Just knowing Max would probably appear at so the day filled her with a sense of joy, of anticipation and exciteht, the wedding ceremony went perfectly Bethanne dabbed at her eyes when Andrew and Courtney promised to love and cherish each other for the rest of their lives Grant looked over at her as if re the day he’d spoken those same vows She saw the pain in his eyes and kne deeply he regretted having broken that proiven And this tiering resentments

Annie rode with Bethanne to the reception, which was being held at the Century Club Years earlier, Bethanne had been a member and supporter of the club and, because of her association with it, was able to secure the hall It was a Victorian building in the ardens and lawns As far as she could tell, Max hadn’t attended the cereh she’d looked for him

"Mom, did you see how happy Grand it? I’randmother" Robin, however, hadn’t taken the news of her race Suspicious by nature, she’d deround check, an idea Ruth had bluntly rejected

Although she was preoccupied with keeping an eye out for Max, Bethanne hout the uests She lost track of Grant, but later noticed hi the rounds, too When she could, she’d find a moment to talk to him about Max’s invitation

The best an to play Andrew had just escorted his bride onto the dance floor when Bethanne saw a figure standing in the back of the roo with joy

This wasn’t the Max she kneore chaps and a leather jacket This wasn’t the Max of simple needs and simple tastes, content to live life on the road This was Max in a suit and tie A man of sophistication and finesse and power And yet…he was still Max The Max she loved

Drawn as if by invisible strings, she walked toward him

He walked toward her

They met halfway across the roo couples They stoodeach other

"You did come," she whispered, hardly able to believe he was there

"Would you rather I left and we talked later?"

"No…stay, please stay" She reached for his hand and held it in both of hers

Thirty-Five

Grant saw Bethanne approach the other er surged through him but as he started across the room his son placed one hand on his shoulder

"What are you doing, Dad?"

"That’s Max! How dare he show up here" The anger burned even hotter inside him