“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Ann started to move them along.
The airport wasn’t overly crowded as Cindy’s plane had landed mid-afternoon. People were drifting around casually. Cindy took a moment to take it all in, to realize where she was. Her sudden decision to leave Grenada and Mattheus had been shocking, but it still felt right. She wasn’t going to stay there with him and have him talk to her like that. Who was he anyway? This was a side of him she’d never seen. The flight had been quick and easy and it was good to be back in the States, too, for now anyway.
“You look like you’re a bit in shock,” Ann laughed as Cindy gazed about.
Cindy didn’t want to tell her sister that at this time yesterday she’d been in the process of moving in with Mattheus and that her trip home was unexpected. Ann would definitely not take that well.
“We’ll get your bags and then hail a taxi,” said Ann, taking the big sister role, as usual, organizing details, guiding Cindy along.
Cindy smiled. She didn’t really need to be led around anymore, had navigated much more dangerous terrains this past year and half, than a local airport. But how could Ann possibly realize how much Cindy had changed? She hadn’t met Mattheus either, though Cindy had told Ann about him from time to time.
“You’ll have to fill me in on everything,” said Ann, as she put her hand on Cindy’s arm, steering her towards baggage claim. “To what do I owe this wonderful pleasure of seeing so my sister again so suddenly?”
Cindy let Ann do what was natural for her, take control, and followed along at her side for now. As they wound their way through the airport to get the bags Cindy wondered how she would tell her sister what had gone on with Mattheus. She hadn’t made sense of it herself.
“Thank God, you still have the house you bought with Clint,” Ann went on in a chirping tone. “You were right not to put it on the market. Everyone needs a home to return to.”
Cindy had never thought of Cove Bay as a home for her to return to. It had been Clint’s home town, his family and friends were still living there, and it had been Clint’s dream to raise his own children right there. But, the starter house they bought and lived in so briefly had been difficult for her to let go of.
“I’m so relieved you’re back, I can hardly tell you,” Ann went on.
Cindy squeezed her hand. Despite the differences between them, Ann had always been a wonderful sister. It had been painful to realize how upset Ann had been about Cindy’s decision to team up with Mattheus as private detectives. Ann had never come to peace with it, and the bond between her and Cindy had suffered because of it.
Cindy’s bags came quickly and Ann grabbed the large one, and started wheeling it towards the exit. Cindy lifted the smaller bag and wheeled it, a few steps behind. She felt momentarily disoriented. A few hours ago she and Mattheus were together in his home, happy, nesting, planning a life together. Then it was as if a hurricane had hit, and a huge wave had rolled in from shore tearing them apart suddenly. Not so different from what with her and Clint.
Ann stepped outside onto the curb and hailed a taxi quickly. Once inside Cindy put her head back on the seat to rest. As they drove along the familiar highway Cindy looked out of the window. It was early autumn, with crisp air and bright skies. She watched the trees roll by as the cab wound its way back to Cove Bay. It was almost as if she’d never left, as if this year and half had never happened.
“I called the local deli, and had them deliver food,” said Ann, as Cindy was about to close her eyes. “It’s probably waiting outside the door right now.”
Ann had become familiar with the neighborhood and stores during the time she’d stayed with Cindy after Clint had died. Cindy thought back to those days briefly. She wouldn’t have survived them without her sister at her side. There was never a detail that Ann overlooked.
“Rest now, if you need to,” said Ann. “Later you’ll tell me what happened with you and Mattheus, why you decided to return so suddenly.”
Cindy’s stomach clenched. This was definitely not something she could discuss with Ann.
“And we’ll have fun, too,” Ann continued. “It’s high time you went on a shopping spree and got new clothes for this amazing new chapter that’s coming up in your life.”
“What new chapter?” asked Cindy.
“You’re home now,” Ann continued in her balanced tone. “You’ve come back to your senses, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if your old job on the paper isn’t right there, waiting for you. They told you it would be available whenever you were ready. Didn’t they?”
Cindy had forgotten about that.
“I’m sure they miss you,” Ann went on. “Everyone misses you.”