Dawl clearly had the upper hand and he knew it. “Guess what? You don’t get to see Paulie again, not now, not ever,” he said, his teeth clamping down shut.
Tremendously flustered, Tara recoiled. “What do you have against me?” she muttered.
Dawl grinned broadly, opening his mouth. “What do I have against you? Nothing. Honey, you don’t even register in my world. Okay, I had it. Bala, show both of these ladies out the door. Visit’s over. They’re not welcome here.”
*
Once back outside, Tara and Cindy walked slowly to the car.
“He threw us out,” Tara said in amazement, trying to take it all in. “How dare he? Who does he think he is?”
“He thinks he’s Paulie’s father,” said Cindy. “He’s raised the boy and no one’s taking him away.”
“It’s not that I want to take him away,” Tara was trembling. “I want to share him -.”
“He’s not having it, Tara.” Cindy hoped to wake Tara up.
Tara gritted her teeth. “When I tell Lynch - ,” she started.
“You think he’ll care, that it will make a difference?” Cindy interrupted.
Tara grew silent then, as they approached the car and got in it. “No, you’re right,” she said once back on the road, “this won’t matter to Lynch one bit.”
Cindy took a long, painful breath, letting her thoughts wander to Mattheus and his daughter, growing up somewhere on the island, oblivious of her father as well. What strange destiny had brought
her and Tara together, Cindy wondered, as the car wound its way back to the hotel.
“What can I do to help you, Tara?” Cindy asked as they traveled homeward.
“Just be who you are,” said Tara. “Hang in with me. Come to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night. I can’t do it alone. I need you there. “
Cindy shivered. So, Tara was going through with the wedding after all? Cindy wondered when she’d made the decision and why.
“Mattheus and I will be happy to go,” said Cindy, “but we’ll have to get the okay from your father. Officially, we’re off the case.”
“Just be there,” Tara’s voice became imperious. “It doesn’t matter what my father says. It’s not up to him to extend invitations. It’s my rehearsal dinner! I told him that already and I’m telling you too! Please, Cindy, please, I need you.”
“Alright, of course,” Cindy replied quickly. “Mattheus and I will be delighted to attend.
*
Once back in the room, Cindy kicked her shoes off and threw herself down on the sofa exhausted. “I’m completely wiped out,” Cindy muttered. “I don’t know why.”
Mattheus had been waiting for her and was tremendously relieved to have her back. He came over to the sofa slowly. “At least you’re home safe,” he said quietly. “I was worried.”
“I was never in danger,” Cindy breathed.
“You never know what’s going to happen when you go out into the outlying villages,” Mattheus replied. “Okay, tell me more.”
“Tara’s obsessed with the boy,” Cindy started.
“That’s what I was worried about,” said Mattheus. “Does she want to adopt him for her own?”
“No,” Cindy replied. “She just wants him to be part of her and Lynch’s life. She won’t marry him otherwise.”
“That’s nuts,” Mattheus sighed loudly. “Sounds like the shocking news made her come unhinged.”
Cindy sat half up on the sofa. “There’s something wrong with all of us, Mattheus,” she said.
“Some more, some less,” Mattheus agreed.
“Well, I like her,” Cindy insisted, “she’s brave, she’s interesting, has principles she fights for.”
Mattheus smiled, “But you, Cindy, are perfect. At least I always thought so.”
Cindy smiled softly too. Mattheus always knew just what to say to defuse her upset, had a way of charming her. “I’m far from perfect,” Cindy said as she put her head back down on the couch to unwind. “And I actually never wanted to be perfect.”
“But you are,” Mattheus insisted, smiling.
Cindy didn’t know if he’s was still kidding, or telling her how he felt.
“I can’t lose you, Cindy,” Mattheus went on. “I’ll never find anyone like you again.”
Cindy closed her eyes, feeling frightened. “There are probably plenty of people much better for you than me,” she said softly.
“We need each other,” Mattheus went on.
Cindy wanted to roll over and fall asleep, do anything to get away from the painful moment. She had no idea right now if she and Mattheus could actually get married. Not knowing what to say, she just continued focusing on the case.
“Tara wants us to come to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night,” Cindy went on.
Mattheus laughed. “So, now she’s going through with the wedding and wants us there, to boot?” His voice sounded both relieved and incredulous.
“She said she can’t do it alone,” said Cindy.
“This gal has emotional problems,” Mattheus commented.
“Whatever she has or doesn’t have, will you come with me to the rehearsal dinner?” Cindy wanted an answer right now.