“Why do you ask me?” she looked at him terrified. “I have no idea. None at all.”
But Mattheus wanted an answer from her. “Do you think Lynch killed Tara?”
“No, never, ever. That’s impossible,” Lea cried. “Maybe Lynch is a bit of a mamma’s boy, maybe he kept a big secret, but he loved Tara with his whole heart. He was lonely without her. He texted her night and day. Of that I’m positive.”
Lea seemed so shaken and distraught that Cindy went over and put her arms around her shoulders to soothe her. The day was almost over and Cindy was growing hungry. Lea must be hungry too, she thought. “I know how hard this is for you, Lea,” Cindy said. “Would you like to come to the restaurant for a dinner with Mattheus and me?”
“Thanks very much for asking,” said Lea, looking almost bleary eyed. “But I really need to be alone for now.”
“Thank you for all your help,” Cindy replied. “If you can think of anything else to tell us, here is where we can be reached,” and she gave Lea their cards.
*
“Are you sure she won’t tell anyone?” Mattheus asked as he and Cindy left the back garden and made their way to the restaurant.
“We had no choice but to trust her,” said Cindy.
“There’s always a choice,” Mattheus said.
“Well, and what if she does tell someone?” said Cindy. “You really think the news of Lynch’s child can stay hidden forever?”
“I do,” Mattheus replied oddly, as they came to the restaurant which was situated behind a lattice covered with vines and blossoms.
Cindy took a moment to breathe in the incredible, soothing fragrance as they entered and were seated at a table beside a gentle waterfall. As she sat quietly though, thoughts of Lynch’s child intruded and a deep fear thrust itself upon her.
“You really think this bombshell can stay hidden under the surface forever?” Cindy repeated, as Mattheus, looked around and enjoyed a quiet moment.
“If there’s enough money, anything can get kept quiet forever,” Mattheus remarked, returning to the conversation.
“You’re referring to Lynch’s family’s money” Cindy asked, as the waiter brought a wine list to the table.
“That family can hide whatever they like,” Mattheus replied as he picked up the menu and ordered a bottle of their finest wine.
When the waiter left Mattheus leaned over and took Cindy’s hands. “Hell of a day,” he said, trying to unwind together.
“And it’s far from over yet,” she replied.
Mattheus squeezed Cindy’s hands warmly and she felt the loving energy bolt throughout her body, lifting her spirits and giving her a rush.
“The time spent with Lea was good and productive,” Mattheus went on. “It’s interesting about the relationship between Raina and Tara.”
“Disturbing,” said Cindy.
“Natural,” Mattheus countered. “There’s always something crazy going on between mothers and daughters, daughters and stepmothers and brides and mother in laws. Especially before a wedding.”
The waiter brought their wine, poured two glasses and both of them toasted.
“To us,” Mattheus smiled.
“To us,” Cindy echoed, as they drained their glasses.
Cindy felt more relaxed and noticed that once again, over these past days, she and Mattheus had become closer again. As always with them, the tide ebbed, back and forth. But the conversation with Lea had been jarring, and Mattheus’s observations about daughters and mothers in laws was right on. Cindy felt it was the perfect time to take the discussion a step further.
“In the spirit of our conversation,” Cindy continued, “I’m thinking how important it is for us to meet your daughter.”
Mattheus drew back, thrown off guard by the comment. “What has my daughter got to do with our discussion?” he said finally.
“Talking about mothers and daughter in laws makes me think,” said Cindy. “Our relationship includes your daughter. She’s part of you,” isn’t she?
“I haven’t seen her since she was a child,” Mattheus responded gruffly.
“Well, it’s high time then,” Cindy replied.
“Now you sound just like Tara,” he said.
“Like Tara and a thousand other women who would feel the same way. Mattheus, unless we meet your daughter, she’s always there, lurking in the background. Who knows when things will burst through? Who knows when you’ll regret what happened and suddenly want to meet her? Who knows when she’ll come looking for you? We’ve got to meet her and make peace with this. Otherwise our relationship won’t have a chance.”
Mattheus put his wine glass down abruptly and stared at Cindy. “Does our relationship really have a chance, Cindy?” he asked pointedly.
“Yes, it does,” she replied. “I love you, Mattheus, but I can’t live with ghosts and shadows.”
“I love you, too,” he answered solemnly. “And if you feel that strongly about it, alright, yes, I’ll make the arrangements. We’ll meet my daughter and move on.”
CHAPTER 16