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“What happened?”
To Rose’s horror, tears welled up in Carissa’s eyes. “He died.”
“Oh my, I’m sorry.” Rose shook her head. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s okay.” Carissa sniffled and dashed a hand across her face. “I understand why you did.” After taking a deep breath, she continued, “Chuck and I had a wonderful marriage, but it wasn’t easy. Those last few years, he was sick, and I truly learned the meaning of those vows about ‘in sickness and health.’”
“Did you regret it?” Rose couldn’t help asking.
But Carissa’s face broke into a sad smile. “Not for a moment. I treasure every second we got to spend together.” She frowned. “It’s not the same as your situation, though. Before Chuck got sick, we had a life together. To face such a challenge so soon in your relationship is a hard pill to swallow. I’m not sure how I would have felt if Chuck had gotten sick before our wedding.”
Rose took a shuddering breath. “I know that anyone’s health can fail at any time, and I’m not thinking of abandoning Steven because of what happened to him.”
Carissa stepped forward and put a hand on Rose’s shoulder. “That never crossed my mind.”
“But I’m not sure I could bear it if he passed soon after our wedding.”
They walked awhile in silence. Rose grappled with the choice in front of her. The idea of canceling the wedding and risking her relationship broke her heart, but the bleak vision of a future with a husband who wouldn’t listen to her broke her soul.
When they reached the end of the trail, Rose was surprised to realize they’d completed a circle and were back in the park. Unfortunately, she was no closer to making a decision.
“Rose,” Carissa said, breaking the silence. “Can you imagine a life for yourself without Steven?”
Closing her eyes, Rose tried to picture what that might look like. All she could see was the past and the different decisions she might have made. If she had never met Steven, she would have taken the job in Boston. She’d be working at a busy hospital in the heart of a thriving city. But whether she’d be happier in that other life, she couldn’t say.
“I’m not sure.”
“Give yourself some time to think on it.”
They headed to Carissa’s office. Once they were across the street, Carissa stopped Rose.
“As far as canceling the wedding, it’s likely too late for most of your vendors to rebook the date. That means you’ll lose all of the money you’ve paid thus far, and you’d have to start over from scratch if you decide to reschedule in the future.” Carissa crossed her arms. “So I highly suggest you be sure of whatever decision you make before you take action.”
Rose nodded. Nothing Carissa said had come as a surprise. “Thank you for listening.”
“Do you still love him?”
The question was blunt and caught Rose by surprise. She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
Carissa’s face softened. “That’s worth more than you may realize.” She pressed her lips together. “But unless you plan to tell your soon-to-be father-in-law that you’re no longer marrying his son, I suggest we go back inside and fake it.” A rueful smile pulled at her lips. “Though I wouldn’t mind taking him down a few pegs.”
Laughter bubbled up Rose’s throat. “He’s not so bad, once you get to know him.”
“I’ve always taken that saying to be a nicer way of telling people ‘he’s a jerk, but you’ll get used to it.’”
“That’s probably more accurate.” Rose chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Max asked when they reentered the office, his bushy eyebrows pulled down over his dark eyes.
“Nothing,” they said at the same time. Rose bit her lip to keep from laughing again. “Why don’t you show me the places you had in mind for the rehearsal dinner?” She hoped to keep him from asking additional questions.
His face brightened, though his jaw was tight, probably with suspicion. But he nodded and handed her a stack of menus, all local places. Carissa’s tastes couldn’t be further from Max’s, and they would be hard-pressed to find common ground, but Rose found herself drawn to the local options. It would be easier for Steven, especially if they went through with the wedding they’d already planned. At the same time, those sites were such a vast contrast to the location of the wedding reception, it would almost seem like they were planning two completely different events.
Perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing. It would incorporate different aspects of their lives—and their relationship.
As if he could sense her wavering, Max stepped closer. “All of these places have wheelchair access. I checked.”
Whether he meant it as a comfort or simply as a fact, she didn’t know, but the words weighed heavy on her chest. Those were things she hadn’t had to consider mere months ago. How privileged she had been to never have to think about the sort of access a person with a disability might need.
