“First stop, I’m going to the shelter for abused women where Shelly worked,” said Cindy. “They’re giving me a tour of the place tomorrow and I’m going to an orientation lecture this afternoon. That place has got to be a hotbed of information, Shelly worked there for years.”
“Good thinking,” said Mattheus, impressed once again at how sharp Cindy was, right on track. His old admiration and feelings for her welled up for a moment, as he gazed at her. She was beautiful, smart, everything he wanted, and somehow he’d blown it again. He leaned across the table then, wishing he could reach out and give her a hug.
Even though he said nothing, she must have felt it, as she softened and smiled.
“Maybe we can catch up at dinner,” said Cindy, “and have time to review our finds?”
“Good idea,” said Mattheus, as the waiter brought large plates with steaming pasta. “You’ll let me know everything you found. And one more thing,” Cindy –.“ Mattheus couldn’t let her go without saying it.
“What?” she asked, curious.
“I appreciate that you’re here. I really do. You’re wonderful.” he said.
CHAPTER 10
Cindy was surprised how amazing it felt to hear Mattheus say those words again, how much she’d been missing them. She wanted to say you’re wonderful, too, but held back. She had to – had to keep everything clear.
It was hard being down here with him like this. She understood why he was acting so strange though, she’d been pretty off base herself when she’d found out about Clint. It had taken a long while to get her head straight. And to top it all off, she and Mattheus had just broken up. Things couldn’t get any more confusing than they were right now.
Lunch passed quickly. Mostly of the time Mattheus seemed sad and remote, just commenting on the pasta, which he ate every bite of, hungrily.
After lunch, Cindy went up to her room for a few minutes to freshen up before she went to the Shelter for the orientation. She slipped into a dark blue, sleeveless cotton dress, which felt cool and refreshing, brushed her hair once again quickly, and tied it back off her face.
When she looked in the mirror, it surprised her to see how alive her face looked. This work agrees with me, Cindy thought, takes my mind off everything, makes me look younger and more like myself.
Just as she put finishing touches on her makeup, the phone rang. Probably Mattheus, she hoped, changing his mind and deciding to go to the orientation with her. That would be good, she was happy about it.
“Are you coming along?” asked Cindy lightly, as she picked up the phone. “I haven’t left yet.”
There was a moment of silence on the other end. Then to Cindy’s surprise,her sister Ann’s voice.
“Haven’t left to go where?” Ann was taken aback.
“Oh my goodness, Ann!” said Cindy, realizing with a start that she hadn’t returned her calls the past few days.
“Remember me?” Ann was miffed. “I’m your sister -the one who met you at the airport. We just had a long, wonderful, visit at your house.”
“I’m so sorry, Ann,” Cindy breathed.
“What’s going on?” Ann continued. “I haven’t heard a word for days.”
Cindy hesitated. She purposely didn’t tell Ann that she was going down to Key West, but didn’t want to lie to her now.
“I’m down in Key West,” Cindy said slowly.
“Where?” Ann sounded startled. “Key West? Last I knew you were starting a new life in Cove Bay.”
Cindy couldn’t just shut Ann out of her life, but she also knew that she’d never be able to make her sister understand why she’d come down. “It’s complicated,” said Cindy.
“You’re back on a damn case!” Ann exclaimed, quickly. “I recognize all the signs. You don’t answer calls, keep things to yourself, no one else matters to you then! Everything gets shut out.”
Cindy felt stung to the core. “That’s not fair, you always matter to me.”
“Then why the hell didn’t you tell me you were down in Key West? Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
Cindy had never heard her sister so irate. “I answered now,” said Cindy lamely.
“But you’re back on a case, aren’t you?” Ann was emphatic.
“Yes, I am,” said Cindy.
“Without saying a word about it to me? After all we talked about?”
Cindy bristled. She didn’t need Ann’s permission to make choices or to decide where to go. They were two, grown, independent women, and Ann was still acting as if Cindy were her baby sister. She was living in a time warp, as ifAnn had to still stand in for the mother Cindy once needed long ago.
“Things are different now,” Cindy said to Ann firmly, “I can make my own decisions.”
“Did I ever say you couldn’t?” Ann sounded hurt. “No one is even suggesting that. You might just have given me the courtesy of letting me know where you were. Plain courtesy, Cindy.”
On one level, Ann was right. On another, doing this kind of work, Cindy had to make quick decisions. They were the kind you often had to keep private, couldn’t check in with a big sister about.
“You’re back with Mattheus, aren’t you?” Ann’s voice had a ring of horror about it now.