“We can go diving, horseback riding, dancing, hiking, anything you like,” Mattheus continued.
“Thank you,” Cindy whispered. What she actually wanted though, was just to be with him without all the demands and interruptions they’d always had to contend with. “It will be great having no plans at all,” she went on. “Let’s just be together and see what the moment brings.”
“Whatever you want,” Mattheus repeated, a little strain creeping into his tone.
“Whatever both of us want,” Cindy corrected him. She didn’t want Mattheus feeling that this trip was a way for him to make up for the breakup they’d just been through.
“Absolutely,” he agreed.
Cindy put her hand on his gently. “Whatever trouble has happened between us is over now. We’re here together, that’s what counts.”
Mattheus held her hand in his. “I’m grateful for that, Cindy, I really am.”
“We can just start again from where we are now,” she continued.
“Is that possible?” Mattheus seemed taken aback.
“Why wouldn’t it be?” Cindy felt surprised. “Why would we even be here if it weren’t?”
“Can we just forget everything’s that’s happened?” Mattheus asked. “Don’t we have to learn something from what we’ve been through?”
“We’ve learned we still want to be together,” Cindy answered softly.
“That’s for sure, anyway,” Mattheus replied, pulling her closer to him. “And we’ve learned we can’t be magnets for trouble our entire life long.”
Cindy wondered if he was referring to her jumping into one case after another. Or, was it possible he might be sensing something lurking up ahead?
CHAPTER 2
Mattheus had booked a suite for them at The Cheers, a glorious hotel on the water, surrounded by incredible trees, flowers, a sprawling golf course, and an immense, languorous, salt water pool. An internationally known spot for honeymooners, this place was more than Cindy could have ever imagined.
When they walked into their suite, the huge windows that overlooked the water were open, letting in the soft, fragrant breeze. Pink rose petals scattered over the floor wove a trail through huge French doors to the next room. Smiling, Cindy and Mattheus took off their shoes and followed the trail to the enormous, romantic bedroom, which was waiting for them.
Rose petals were scattered both on the floor and across the ivory satin bedspread that covered the grand, double bed. Clusters of fragrant colored candles were lit on small, ivory tables and fresh flowers sparkled in crystal vases. It was certainly a room for those who had to celebrate their nuptials.
“We are in the deluxe honeymoon suite,” Mattheus whispered.
Cindy smiled, suddenly feeling sad as she remembered the honeymoon suite she and Clint had occupied. It had been in a hotel in Barbados, smaller and simpler than this suite. But it was filled with the ease and happiness they’d felt at the wedding finally being over, and having gotten away together alone.
“We’re starting a new wonderful life together,” Clint had said over and over again. Everything about it had felt right to Cindy. There was no way of knowing that they only had a very short time to be together. In a few days Clint would be gone.
“You can find everything you could ever want here,” Mattheus went on. “The cabinet over there is stocked with champagne, wine, fruit baskets, cheese, nuts, and crackers.”
Cindy’s honeymoon suite with Clint hadn’t been so opulent. Cindy didn’t want to keep remembering and getting pulled back into the past. She had to shake the cobwebs out of her mind and be grateful for what was here right now. On the surface of it everything was perfect.
“We have as much as any honeymooner here,” Mattheus continued.
Cindy wanted to stop him right there. She felt a strange pressure to go along with the fantasy that they were on a honeymoon. They weren’t, and Cindy didn’t want Mattheus to forget that. They weren’t married, this was simply their first vacation alone together when they weren’t working on a case.
“Aren’t you happy? Don’t you love it?” Mattheus was insistent, probably sensing Cindy’s reserve.
“I love being here with you,” Cindy replied, “I love the fact that we’re having our first vacation alone together,” she responded, wanting to preserve reality.
“Our first vacation?” Mattheus was taken aback. “We’ve been together for a long time.”
“This is different though, isn’t it, Mattheus?” Cindy responded. “This is the first time we’re not working on a case.”