Once out on the street Mattheus grew silent as they walked along the festive street back to the hotel.
“Always something between us,” he muttered as they moved along, “always something.”
Cindy felt he was being unfair, but she also wondered if destiny was taking a stab at their relationship as well. Were they meant to be together? Was there something or someone else they both needed that would make them happier and more fulfilled?
CHAPTER 7
The next morning Cindy awoke very early, just as the sun was coming up. It had been a rough night for her and Mattheus, back to sleeping on their own sides of the bed again. Before they fell asleep, Cindy had reached out to him, but he’d just rolled over, nursing his wounds. Mattheus was hard to be with when he didn’t get his way about something that mattered to him. Cindy understood that, but this was important to her as well.
As soon as Cindy awoke she jumped out of bed, showered and dressed as he lay there sleeping. She didn’t want to wake him up, and instead of ordering in coffee, Cindy decided to go downstairs and eat breakfast alone. After that she’d find Kate’s mother and uncle and tell them she was on board. Too much time had passed already, and she was eager to get going.
When Cindy got down to the lobby it was practically empty, due to the early hour. Cindy went to the front desk to get the room number for Kate’s family.
“The mother and uncle just went out to the back restaurant for breakfast,” the clerk at the desk informed her. “They just asked me where it was.”
“Great,” said Cindy, “thanks.” Again, perfect timing. Cindy took this as an added support for what she had decided to do.
She went out through the back doors and walked on the fresh grass filled with the early morning dew. The morning light was soft and sparing, heralding a perfect day. Cindy picked up her pace as she walked, eager to see Carl and Tyra again, thrilled to let them know that she was coming on board. Everything about it felt right.
Cindy took a narrow stone path that went beneath an arbor of trees then back to a restaurant in a garden, nestled in the back. A perfect place for breakfast, thought Cindy, a wonderful way to start the day. Cindy walked into the wooden and bamboo restaurant, which was empty except for two people sitting at a table in the corner. They had to be Carl and Tyra.
Cindy walked straight over to them, slowing down as she got closer.
Carl, who sat facing in her direction, noticed Cindy approach. Surprised, he half got up, to greet her.
“No, it’s fine, sit down,” Cindy said brightly as she got to the table. “Mind if I join you?”
Tyra, startled, looked at her pleadingly. Cindy could see what a rough time she was having. Despite her perfect grooming, she looked pale and unruly, her eyes fluttering back and forth.
“Of course, sit down,” Tyra waved her hands up and down, not knowing what else to do with them.
Carl immediately rose and pulled over a seat from a nearby table, so Cindy could join them.
“To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?” he asked, looking at Cindy admiringly.
Cindy didn’t want to waste a moment. “I’ve decided to take the case,” she announced.
Both Carl and Tyra became silent.
“Why?” asked Tyra. “What else happened?”
“Nothing else happened,” said Cindy calmly, “I’ve been carefully thinking about it.”
“And what about your fiancée?” Tyra asked, dazed.
Strange that Tyra called Mattheus her fiancée. “Mattheus and I work together,” Cindy corrected her, “he’s my business partner.”
“Well, he’s more than that, dear,” Tyra’s eyes continued to flutter. “The two of you are here on vacation. He said he needs his time alone with you. What has changed things?”
Cindy smiled. Odd, the details that people remembered at times like these.
“Where is Mattheus now?” asked Carl, focusing in on Cindy.
“Mattheus is upstairs, sleeping,” said Cindy, “it still quite early.”
“I recognize that,” said Carl, “just wondering why you’re down here alone? And what made you change your mind?”
The waiter came by, looking at the three of them curiously.
“Can I order you breakfast?” Carl asked.
“Scrambled eggs, muffins and coffee,” said Cindy.
“On me,” said Carl.
“Thanks,” Cindy said.
Carl turned full face towards her then. He had a wonderful face, strong, handsome and clearly weathered by many storms. This was hard for him though, understandably.
“I don’t even know how to begin to thank you,” he started. “We need your help.”
“I know you do,” Cindy said, “and that’s what’s changed things.”
“How do you know it?” Tyra murmured. “How does anyone know anything anymore?”
“It’s okay, Tyra,” Carl put his hand on her arm.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Kate,” Cindy started slowly.
Tyra put her head down and began to cry.