“Is it okay with Aldon?” Mattheus asked.
“Tara said it doesn’t matter about Aldon. She wants us there. I’m going, and I need you there with me, too.”
“Glad to hear that,” Mattheus relented. Then he leaned over and stroked Cindy’s arm. “Of course I’ll go with you to the rehearsal dinner. There’s nowhere else in the world I want to be but at your side.”
CHAPTER 9
Cindy and Mattheus decided to rest the next day and visit Philipsburg, the capital city. Cindy and Mattheus were attracted by the lively atmosphere. It would be a good place to put concerns aside for a day. Phillipsburg was located on a narrow strip of land that wrapped around Great Bay and was one of the Caribbean’s busiest cruise ports, known for its duty free shopping. There were casinos, marinas and a mile long beach with a beachfront boardwalk, lined with bars and restaurants.
They arrived and strolled along together, looking at the ships and shops and enjoying the bustling boardwalk. Both needed the break and, without saying a word about it, discussion about Mattheus’s daughter was put on the back burner.
They made small talk, laughed, had a delicious lunch and Cindy bought some souvenir gifts for her sister. As the day ended and they were finally heading back to the hotel, Mattheus put his arm around Cindy. “After the rehearsal dinner tonight, where to next?”
Cindy smiled. “Let’s talk about it tomorrow,” she said. She knew that Mattheus needed an answer, but she needed quiet time to let the questions she had go deep within and root in the silence. That usually helped things sort themselves out and answers come naturally.
Cindy and Mattheus returned to the hotel somewhat refreshed, in plenty of time to bathe and get ready for the rehearsal dinner that night. Cindy gave herself the luxury of a long, warm bath and then dressed slowly in a beautiful, amber, cocktail dress with a matching silk jacket and long earrings. After doing her makeup, and putting on a dab of her favorite perfume, she went into the main room.
When Mattheus saw her, he stood there transfixed. “You’ve never looked this beautiful before,” he murmured.
His comment made Cindy feel sad. Most likely the threat of losing her made her seem so much more precious. And, if truth be told, Mattheus looked incredible as well. Suntanned and dressed in a dark blue silk, evening suit, his thick hair brushed back off his handsome face, he, too, took Cindy’s breath away.
Mattheus walked over to her slowly. “I am proud to be at your side,” he said.
“Thank you,” Cindy murmured softly, letting him take her arm.
“And I want to stay at your side forever,” he went on, unflinchingly.
Cindy looked up at him as her eyes filled with tears. At the moment, she had no idea what forever would look like for them, but she wanted it as well.
*
As their cab drove up to the Aupres Hotel for the rehearsal dinner, the place was surrounded by limousines, reporters and valets, welcoming guests. One of the valets rushed up to Cindy and Mattheus’s cab and opened the door for them. The moment they got out, photographers began flashing pictures. Cindy felt as though they were stepping on a red carpet with the whole world watching.
“Raina had to have arranged all this,” Cindy said to Mattheus as they walked through a line of reporters and admirers into the main doors of the hotel. “This is definitely not Aldon’s style.”
“It’s Raina’s son’s wedding. She has a right to,” Mattheus remarked. “
The irony of it struck Cindy powerfully as she thought of how alone Tara was feeling. Cindy wondered how Tara was doing now. She wondered if the excitement of preparing for the celebration, dressing for it, greeting family and friends distracted Tara from the fact that she was getting married to Lynch the very next day.
Cindy and Mattheus walked into the incredible, elegant lobby, with high ceilings, mirrors and grand furnishings, and were led to a long, private, formal dining room through an alcove. The dining room was full of guests, decked out to the hilt, meeting one another, circulating easily, excited to see who arrived next. Whatever difficulties had taken place behind the scene, obviously no one here had any inkling of them. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and joyous anticipation.
A group of young women and men, presumably part of the wedding party, dressed in cocktail
dresses, tuxedos and suits, were laughing and chatting comfortably with one another. Cindy and Mattheus circulated among them, introducing themselves as friends of the bride and groom. A particularly striking brunette, in a dashing lime green dress, unusually poised and gracious, seemed to be the center of the group. When Cindy and Mattheus came over to say hello, she introduced herself as Lea, Tara’s maid of honor.
“How’s Tara doing?” Cindy asked offhandedly, trying to hide her concern. If Tara was having difficulty, her maid of honor would certainly know about it.