Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

In the particular venue Cindy and Mattheus were in everything was on a larger scale. As they stood in the spacious indoor ballroom, they could also see the breathtaking beachfront wedding setting, featuring a bamboo stage for the bride and groom to stand on while taking their vows. Formal gardens surrounded the hotel and there was also a casino for guests to enjoy after the wedding, as well as a personal spa to luxuriate in. It was all part of the package. Taking it all in, Cindy felt as if she were transported to another world.

As Mattheus chatted with the wedding planner, another couple entered the ballroom, with a wedding planner and tour of their own. Cindy enjoyed seeing the couple go through the same routine. Cindy smiled at the young woman, who quickly smiled back. The bride-to-be was in her late twenties, tall, striking and languid with wavy blonde hair and large eyes. The groom-to-be stood a few steps away, handsome and solid, with dark brown hair. They looked like a storybook couple about to embark upon the happiest time of their lives. Cindy wondered how she and Mattheus seemed to them. Was there any way anyone could realize that this would be a second marriage for Cindy? Did she and Mattheus seem older and weatherworn? As Cindy looked at the couple, they followed their wedding planner and ambled over close to where she and Mattheus were standing.

Cindy listened to their wedding planner speaking to them in a lilting tone, casting a spell.

“It’s up to you,” he was saying. “Your wedding package could include both a beachfront wedding and golf course ceremony, if you like. We’ll take care of everything. You’ll have a fresh floral bouquet, groom boutonniere, pre-recorded background music, a floor-draped tables, bottles of champagne, two torches and a palm-fringed aisle with a candle walk.”

The couple nodded nondescriptly[cl2] , taking it all in and saying little in return.

“Dream weddings don’t just happen, they’re planned,” their wedding planner continued. “At our venue we all sit down together and make sure everything meets your needs.”

“Do we get the same treatment?” Mattheus joked with their wedding planner then.

“Absolutely,” he said quickly. “We help you execute every little detail so that all your dreams become a reality on your glorious day.”

Mattheus threw a quick look at Cindy. “I like this place,” he said in a low tone.

“We have two more to check out first,” Cindy reminded him, “then we can choose.”

“So far we like this very much,” Mattheus announced to the planner. “We have to look at one or two more, but then we’ll be back.”

“Certainly,” the planner replied, as though this were common practice. He was accustomed to it. “First, follow me down the hall and let me show you our wedding preparation room. Then you can have cocktails in our Conch Club, right on the water, and talk it over.”

Cindy and Mattheus followed him out of the ballroom to the next stop. Just before she left the ballroom, though, Cindy turned back and glanced at the other couple to see how they were doing. To Cindy’s surprise the young woman was watching her, rather than listening to what her planner was saying. Cindy waved a light good-bye, and the young woman raised her hand and waved back.

After Cindy left the ballroom and followed the planner down the long, carpeted hallway, a moment of sadness filled her heart, though she had no idea why.

*

After they finished the tour, Cindy and Mattheus drifted over to the Conch Club, which was perched out over a beautiful stretch of sand, surrounded by water and sky.

The ma?tre d’ greeted them graciously. “A bride-and groom-to-be?” he asked as he gently led them to a wicker table at the water’s edge. “I’m delighted to let you know that a welcome cocktail is awaiting you, as a gift from the hotel.”

Mattheus laughed. “This place sure has their act together,” he said to Cindy when the ma?tre d’ left. “They spot a wedding coming from a mile away.”

“The planners probably send all the couples here straight from the tour,” Cindy replied. “Let’s see if that other couple doesn’t arrive in a few minutes as well.”

Cindy and Mattheus took their seats and smiled at each other delightedly as the waves lapped against the edges of the club. Filled with joy, Mattheus reached out for Cindy’s hands as a large, beautiful bird perched before them for a moment, spun around and then flew on.

“Which place do you like best, so far?” Mattheus asked then.

“Actually, they all seemed pretty much the same to me,” said Cindy softly. “I like them all. Whichever you want is fine with me.”

Mattheus looked momentarily puzzled. “Really? You usually have such strong opinions about everything.”

“They’re all magical,” Cindy repeated, as from the corner of her eye, she saw the other couple enter the club. “Look at that, here’s the other couple,” she continued, “just as we predicted.”

Mattheus looked over at them as the ma?tre d’ led the couple to a small table right beside Cindy and Mattheus.

The young woman smiled at Cindy as they sat down. “Looks like we’re fated to meet each other again,” she said playfully. “I’m Shari.”

“I’m Cindy, and this is my fiancé, [cl3] Mattheus,” Cindy responded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”