I loved the movie, but I felt like Court was over exaggerating how big of a difference 14 and 17 really is when it comes to age. Dani and Court belonged together - I felt nothing between Maureen and Court.
It was a complex story all the way around. Court's mother was still in love with the daughter's father/Sam Waterston. & both Waterston and his wife/Tess Harper knew it. I think that is why Gail Strikland/Court's mother had such a hateful response when her son got killed and Dani appeared there. The mother had taken Waterston from her and now the daughter(s) had taken Court by distracting him.
No, it was not even a secondary intention, but, that materiel was not laid in there as an afterthought. At one point early on she openly flirted with him---it was then mentioned that she'd had first dibs on him, but, it had not worked out.
{She} saw what a prize the man had become. A fine husband, a dutiful & fair father, a super provider. She was alone on a farm that she could not afford. She was harried and a bit unkempt. The girl's mother was rested and composed, assured and successful.
Court's mother didn't have a "hateful response" when Dani showed up after Court's death. She didn't want Dani to see the horrifying result of Court's accident. She was protecting Dani from the trauma. That's as obvious and the nose on your face.
Jason London and Reese Witherspoon hit it off when they met on the set of this movie, and dated for about a year. So yeah - that chemistry comes through with Court and Dani and is somewhat lacking with Court and Maureen. In the story it's supposed to be the other way around. A slight suspension of disbelief is required. :)
Personally I think 13 or 14 is way too young to be engaged in sex, but teenagers will be teenagers. I stayed a virgin all through HS, and was proud of it!