CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2

Mattheus had booked a suite for them at The Cheers, a glorious hotel on the water, surrounded by incredible trees, flowers, a sprawling golf course, and an immense, languorous, salt water pool. An internationally known spot for honeymooners, this place was more than Cindy could have ever imagined.

When they walked into their suite, the huge windows that overlooked the water were open, letting in the soft, fragrant breeze. Pink rose petals scattered over the floor wove a trail through huge French doors to the next room. Smiling, Cindy and Mattheus took off their shoes and followed the trail to the enormous, romantic bedroom, which was waiting for them.

Rose petals were scattered both on the floor and across the ivory satin bedspread that covered the grand, double bed. Clusters of fragrant colored candles were lit on small, ivory tables and fresh flowers sparkled in crystal vases. It was certainly a room for those who had to celebrate their nuptials.

“We are in the deluxe honeymoon suite,” Mattheus whispered.

Cindy smiled, suddenly feeling sad as she remembered the honeymoon suite she and Clint had occupied. It had been in a hotel in Barbados, smaller and simpler than this suite. But it was filled with the ease and happiness they’d felt at the wedding finally being over, and having gotten away together alone.

“We’re starting a new wonderful life together,” Clint had said over and over again. Everything about it had felt right to Cindy. There was no way of knowing that they only had a very short time to be together. In a few days Clint would be gone.

“You can find everything you could ever want here,” Mattheus went on. “The cabinet over there is stocked with champagne, wine, fruit baskets, cheese, nuts, and crackers.”

Cindy’s honeymoon suite with Clint hadn’t been so opulent. Cindy didn’t want to keep remembering and getting pulled back into the past. She had to shake the cobwebs out of her mind and be grateful for what was here right now. On the surface of it everything was perfect.

“We have as much as any honeymooner here,” Mattheus continued.

Cindy wanted to stop him right there. She felt a strange pressure to go along with the fantasy that they were on a honeymoon. They weren’t, and Cindy didn’t want Mattheus to forget that. They weren’t married, this was simply their first vacation alone together when they weren’t working on a case.

“Aren’t you happy? Don’t you love it?” Mattheus was insistent, probably sensing Cindy’s reserve.

“I love being here with you,” Cindy replied, “I love the fact that we’re having our first vacation alone together,” she responded, wanting to preserve reality.

“Our first vacation?” Mattheus was taken aback. “We’ve been together for a long time.”

“This is different though, isn’t it, Mattheus?” Cindy responded. “This is the first time we’re not working on a case.”

Mattheus paused a moment. “Yes, that’s so,” he replied, “so what? Are we different people when we’re working and when we’re not?”

It was a good question. Cindy smiled to break the tension. Her time alone working on the last case in the Dominican Republic had affected her a great deal. She was surprised that she’d done so well by herself and also by how much she’d enjoyed her independence. Cindy had also been grateful when Mattheus had returned, offering much needed assistance. They had a fine line to balance, she thought.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Mattheus continued, his brow furled. “Are we different people when we’re working and when we’re not?”

Cindy paused for a long moment. “We’re different people every day,” she replied. “We grow, we change.”

“You’re avoiding my question,” he said.

“No, I’m not,” Cindy answered simply. “I’m grateful for everything, Mattheus, I really am. Let’s just enjoy ourselves and let whatever’s going to happen be revealed on its own.”

After a beautiful dinner in their suite, complete with Champagne, strawberries, and the very best chocolate, Cindy and Mattheus both felt tired. To Cindy’s relief, the moment they went to bed, they immediately fell asleep, wrapped in each other’s arms. Before her eyes closed Cindy remembered thinking that it was a good thing that they fell asleep quickly. Cindy knew she loved and cared for Mattheus, but he also felt a bit like a stranger to her now. She needed time to get used to being back with him. When she’d left for the Dominican Republic to work on the last case alone, Cindy had thought that their engagement was totally over. She’d thought that despite their love for each other, they’d decided that their different needs and styles of life couldn’t be reconciled. Now Cindy wanted to be open to what might be possible between them, but it was a big leap into this honeymoon suite. Cindy wasn’t sure she was ready for it yet, and obviously Mattheus must have felt the same way. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have fallen asleep so fast, she thought.

In the morning Cindy woke early and got right out of bed. While Mattheus slept, she headed to the bathroom to shower and dress. As the warm water from the shower ran over her body, Cindy wondered how they would spend the day.

Once out of the shower, she slipped on a light, colorful summer dress and a favorite hand-printed scarf. When she went to the sink to put on her makeup, Cindy suddenly saw Mattheus standing in the doorway, looking for her.

“You certainly jumped up out of bed quickly.” He seemed disconcerted.

“I had a good sleep,” Cindy replied lightly, “and I didn’t want to wake you up.”

“There’s all kinds of ways you could have woken me up.” Mattheus tried to be playful, referring to the many mornings in the past that they’d lingered together in bed together for a long while, before approaching a new day.

“Should we go down for breakfast or order up?” Cindy deflected his comment.

“Let’s go downstairs,” Mattheus replied. “It seems like it will be good for us to get out of the room and mix it up with others for a while.”

“Great,” said Cindy, not knowing exactly what Mattheus meant, but not wanting to make much of it, either. She was hungry for breakfast and eager to explore the magnificent island she’d found herself on.

The hotel had several dining rooms and the one they went to for breakfast was graceful and sprawling, taking up almost half a block. Cindy felt as if she were entering a garden as there was a huge potted fern plant placed behind every wicker table.

Cindy and Mattheus sat at a table near the front, in full view of the ocean. They picked up the latticed menus and began scanning them for what to order.

“Is that Mattheus?” a young woman’s voice broke their concentration.

Cindy and Mattheus looked up over their menus at the same moment. A beautiful young couple stood at their table. “Yes, I’m Mattheus, but who are you?” Mattheus looked puzzled.

The young woman had long, wavy brown hair, was dressed in expensive summer slacks with a light lemon blouse. The young man beside her was tall and attractive with dark, sandy hair and deep-set blue eyes.

“I’m Kara, Rod’s daughter,” the young woman replied, delighted to have taken Mattheus by surprise. “And this is Rowley, my new husband. We’re on our honeymoon here. First of all, thank you for sending us such a beautiful wedding present.”

Mattheus paused and rubbed his forehead, incredulous. “How in the world did you recognize me?”

Kara laughed freely at the look on Mattheus’s face. “It’s simple,” she said in a lilting, almost sing-song voice. “My father keeps pictures of his friends from the past all around. And he updates them as the years go by.”

Mattheus grimaced. “The years have certainly gone by. I remember when you were born.”

Kara laughed again. “Do you really?”

“You were a beautiful little girl,” Mattheus mused.

“And she’s still beautiful now,” Rowley added, enjoying the encounter and thoroughly proud of his beautiful bride.

“She certainly is.” Mattheus jumped on it. “Congratulations on your marriage.” Then Mattheus turned to Cindy. “And I’d like to introduce you to my fiancée as well,” he continued. “This is Cindy Blaine.”

Cindy stood up. “Hello,” she said, smiling, surprised to be introduced as Mattheus’s fiancée.

“Hi,” Kara offered brightly as Rowley smiled and extended his hand. “It looks like congratulations are in order for the two of you, as well,” Kara added.

“Thank you,” Mattheus responded proudly before Cindy could say a word. “Would you like to join us for breakfast?” Mattheus asked then. “Of course there’s absolutely no pressure about it at all. I totally realize that you’re honeymooners.”

“We’d love to.” Kara took the lead. “We’ve been here a few days already and my dad will be thrilled when he hears that we ran into you. He really wanted you to come to the wedding.”

Mattheus seemed to feel bad. “So sorry I couldn’t,” he said.

“Of course,” said Kara. “It’s great to run into you now, though. I’ll tell my dad and he’ll be thrilled.”

“Well, thank you for that,” said Mattheus. “I’m thrilled to have run into you too.” Then he motioned for the waiter to find a larger table for four.

Cindy thoroughly enjoyed their breakfast, finding Kara and Rowley to be a delightful couple. They’d known each other for years and said their marriage was the next natural step. In his thirties, Rowley was already a successful plastic surgeon and Kara worked as a counselor at a job that meant a lot to her. Cindy was surprised to hear that. It didn’t exactly fit the picture Cindy had of Kara, who was perfectly put together, dressed in expensive designer’s clothes from head to toe.

“It’s wonderful to love what you do,” Cindy commented to her. “Where do you work?”

Kara paused a moment. “I love what I do,” Kara declared, “although Rowley’s not totally thrilled with my job and neither is my family. But it means a lot to me.”

“Your job is fine, it’s okay,” Rowley defended himself, smiling first at her and then at Cindy. “Once we have children, though, things may be different. Kara may decide that our family’s enough to occupy her then.”

“It’s not one or the other.” Kara gave him a long glance. “I can do both. We’ve discussed it, Rowley.”

“Yes, of course, we have,” Rowley conceded. “It’s fine with me, whatever you want, truly.”

Kara smiled, looking relieved. “That’s what I love so much about our relationship,” she went on cheerily. “Rowley and I work things out in a minute or two. Whatever I want, he’s happy about.”

Amazing,” said Cindy, impressed, wishing she could say the same for herself and Mattheus.

“Yes, I know it’s amazing.” Kara beamed at Rowley with love. “Everything about Rowley’s amazing when you get to know him. How did I get so lucky?”

Rowley loved that. “How did

I

get so lucky?” he shot right back.

Mattheus laughed. “How did

we

get so lucky to meet the two of you and find a couple who knows how to work things out?”

They all laughed together then as Cindy winked at Kara in encouragement. Cindy was taken aback by Kara’s free spirit, liked her immensely. Other than that little difference between them, Kara’s and Rowley’s lives seemed entirely harmonious. Rowley said he’d just bought a condo a few blocks away from their families, and they were surrounded by many friends. It was heartwarming to watch the newlyweds hold hands as they talked about the life that spread out in front of them with seemingly endless possibilities.

They all chatted easily throughout breakfast, as though they’d known each other for years. Kara told Cindy and Mattheus about the Love Conference that went on routinely in St. Lucia. Wedding planners gathered from all over to discover the incredible wedding venues here and plan dream weddings for their clients.

“We’ve just been through that ourselves,” said Mattheus.

“Really? You’re planning a wedding?” Kara looked surprised.

“We were,” Cindy chimed in lightly.

“Just haven’t found the right spot yet,” Mattheus quickly added.

“Take your time, it’s important,” Rowley joined the conversation. “Kara and I were engaged for almost two years before we firmed things up. We finally decided to have the wedding back in Connecticut and our honeymoon here. That made it so much easier for our guests and worked out beautifully for us as well.”

Rowley seemed to have a maturity and solidity about him that one might miss at first glance. Cindy liked him very much. So did Mattheus.

They all talked a little longer, then breakfast was over and Kara and Rowley had to go. Cindy and Mattheus thanked them for the time they’d spent together. Kara and Rowley said they’d enjoyed it as well. When they left, Cindy felt sad.

“What a beautiful young couple,” Mattheus said, watching them walk out of the dining room. “They’ve got it right so early. My friend Rod must be very proud.”

Cindy felt a pang of regret. She wished she could have gotten it right the way they had. If only she’d met her partner early on they could have built a life together that naturally progressed from stage to stage. Then Cindy wouldn’t be left at this time of life thinking about wedding destinations. A strange sense of emptiness filled her as Kara and Rowley disappeared from view.

“Your friend Rod’s a lucky man to have a family like that,” Cindy mused.

Mattheus stretched out his hands and reached for Cindy.

“Yes, he is very lucky. But we’re lucky, too. We have each other, don’t we? Better late

than never.”

Much better, thought Cindy, as she held Mattheus’s hands tight, wondering how late it really was, and if it there was enough time left for them.