“No snooping,” Mattheus laughed.
“I can’t help it,” said Cindy, “it’s fun.” Of course both Cindy and Mattheus always had to be incredibly vigilant about what went on around them. It was part of the business, an occupational hazard for private detectives. It wasn’t so easy to let go of that vigilance now.
Cindy smiled. “I’m not snooping, just noticing,” she went on. “It’s nice to run into people you know by surprise down here.”
“Yeah, everything is nice,” said Mattheus, “but right now, it’s just you and me. We don’t want to run into anyone. We don’t want to care about what’s happening anywhere else. Not now.”
Cindy felt sobered. Obviously, Mattheus had turned a corner. Now that his wife’s disappearance was solved and he knew that she was dead, he could put the past to rest. For the first time he was able to focus his attention fully on Cindy. This was new for her. Cindy wasn’t used to it.
“I haven’t been this happy in a long time,” Mattheus went on, leaning towards her. “I haven’t felt this relaxed.”
“Me, too,” said Cindy, fully meaning it, thrilled that she and Mattheus could come together again in this way, could provide each other the warmth and connection they once had. The spark between them wasn’t gone. In fact, it seemed possible that it would even grow stronger, and that a long road together stretched out before them.
As she and Mattheus talked, Cindy noticed the young woman with the ash blonde hair look over at them beseechingly. What was she thinking? Was she wishing that she, too, could be alone with her boyfriend?
Cindy smiled at her briefly and she smiled back - two summer guests at the same hotel, two young women, with a man they loved. The young woman had a lovely smile, though there was edge of sadness about it. Cindy thought she probably felt cornered by the other couple. Cindy thought of all the paths that criss crossed in the world, people who meet briefly and parted, people who meet again accidentally, needing to say something more to each other. She thought of people who longed to meet and connect and somehow couldn’t. She also thought of Clint who she’d loved deeply, and was killed on their honeymoon. They’d only been allotted a short span of time together. Was she really being given a second chance with Mattheus now? It certainly felt that way. Would she be able to take it? She wanted to, she knew it was time to move on and love again.
Mattheus put his warm hands over hers, “Cindy, stop watching them,” he laughed. “Every table here has some kind of story. We’re on vacation now.”
Cindy turned her attention fully back to Mattheus. “You’re right, you’re right,” she quickly agreed. “But, remember, you’re the one who taught me how to tune into everything and be a great detective.”
“Tune into me now,” said Mattheus. “It’s my turn. It’s our time.”
*
After dinner, when Cindy went back to her room with Mattheus, she stopped at the entrance, amazed. The room had been strewn with roses and softly lit candles. Romantic music was playing and the doors to the patio were open, so she could see the full moon that hung in the sky.
Cindy took a deep breath as tears filled her eyes and she took a step in.
“What is all this for?” she murmured.
In response, Mattheus pulled her to him and they kissed, a long, lingering kiss.
“You’ve got to know how much you mean to me,” Mattheus said as they slowly pulled apart.
“Tell me what it is you need from me,” Mattheus continued. “I want this vacation to be perfect.”
“It is perfect,” said Cindy, “just as it is.”
“But tell me,” he continued, “I need to know.”
Cindy felt strange. This was unlike Mattheus.
He turned away for a second and made the music louder. Then he took her back into his arms.
“I realize that I never knew what she needed,” Mattheus murmured slowly.
He was talking about his ex-wife. Since he’d discovered how she’d lied and cheated, Mattheus had refused to say her name.
“I thought I knew what she needed, but I was wrong,” he continued. I don’t know if it would have made a difference, but I never really asked her.”
Mattheus was trying to repair what had happened, Cindy realized. This time he was determined not to let any detail go by.
“Who you are is what is important to me,” Cindy answered, “not your giving me everything I need.”
Mattheus listened intently, then slowly guided Cindy over to the luxurious King size bed, covered with a satin bedspread over which roses were strewn.
“What I need is for you to be who you are, to talk to me truthfully,” Cindy added as they approached.
“That’s a tall order,” Mattheus smiled.
“It’s an easy order,” Cindy replied, as they eased down onto the edge of the bed. “Just be yourself. That’s what’s wonderful.”
“You’re saying that I’m wonderful?” Mattheus’s eyes creased into a warm smile.