Death by Engagement (Caribbean Murder Series, Book 12)

“Thank you, a pleasure to meet you, too,” Shari replied. “It’s fun to see another couple going through the same thing. This is Doug,” and she motioned to her groom-to-be.

The four of them smiled at each other pleasantly as a waiter glided their way, carrying an ivory tray on which stood four scrumptious tropical cocktails.

“I guess we’ll all be drinking together,” Shari remarked, as the waiter arrived, handing each one their drink.

“Let’s toast to all of us,” Mattheus responded, lifting his glass happily.

“To all of us,” Shari echoed as everyone lifted their glasses and drank.

“How long have you been looking for venues?” Doug asked after they all put their glasses down. “We’ve been doing it for three days now, and Shari’s family’s down here too, to give the final okay.”

“Sounds like quite a gathering,” Cindy chimed in.

“You could call it that.” Shari smiled. “My family insisted on joining us. I can’t make up my mind about which place is best, though. None of them feel just right. What do you think? Which one do you like best?”

“They all seem fine to me,” said Cindy.

“Really?” Shari was surprised. “All of them?”

“Shari is very particular,” Doug interjected, “and so is her mother. I thought we’d find the place in a day. But it seems there’s something wrong with each one of them.”

“Nothing important happens in a day,” Shari replied, a bit ill at ease.

“Okay, two days then.” Doug cracked a smile, seemingly the more practical of the two.

“How about you?” Shari turned to Mattheus. “Which venue do you like best?”

“I like the one we’re in right now,” said Mattheus. “In fact, I’m ready to find a date and take it.”

“Just like that?” Shari’s eyes opened wide. She had a fragile quality that was endearing.

“Not everybody has to go over every detail again and again,” Doug interjected. “Some people just make up their minds and act.”

Shari lifted her glass to her lips and drank what was left of her cocktail all down quickly.

“We made up our minds to get married, and so it’s not such a big deal which venue we do it in,” said Doug. “If you ask me there’s almost no difference between them.”

Shari put her glass down and shook her head lightly. “Men, men, men,” she said, turning to Cindy.

Cindy smiled. “They can be quite confusing at times.”

Shari leaned closer to Cindy. “Everything can be quite confusing at times,” she murmured.

Cindy looked at her, surprised.

“Shari’s indecision can be quite charming, of course,” Doug said to Mattheus, interrupting. “Sooner or later, she’ll just let me pick a venue and then she’ll like it as well. She always comes around eventually.”

Cindy noticed that Doug spoke about Shari as if she weren’t there. Shari didn’t seem to mind at all, though. In fact, she seemed to like it.

“Doug knows me so well,” Shari giggled.

“I prefer a woman who knows what she wants and lets me know as well,” Mattheus commented. “Cindy’s basically a tiger about most things in our lives.”

“A tiger?” Shari’s eyes grew round. She was obviously fascinated by Cindy and Mattheus and Cindy found her interesting as well. Cindy was also surprised to be thought of as a tiger; hadn’t quite seen herself that way.

“I’m a tiger in a manner of speaking,” said Cindy, laughing. “At work I’m a tiger, at home, I’m just me.”

“Have you two known each other for a long time?” asked Shari.

“Long enough,” said Mattheus, and they all laughed.

“How about you two?” asked Cindy.

“We’ve known each other forever,” Shari answered quickly. “We started dating in college.”

“That’s a long time.” Mattheus nodded.

“Not long enough,” Doug replied.

It was enjoyable to meet and chat with another couple who were also recently engaged and looking for wedding venues in the same location. It was also interesting to learn that Shari, Doug and Shari’s family were staying at the same hotel as Cindy and Mattheus. After talking a bit more the four of them got up, wished each other well, and left to go their separate ways.

*

Cindy and Mattheus took a cab back to the hotel. They were going to rest a bit, change and prepare for a beautiful evening together, dancing and dining under the stars. Cindy had brought silky romantic dresses along and beautiful jewelry. The time she and Mattheus were sharing together now, itself felt like a honeymoon. She couldn’t imagine anything better. She’d never felt as close to Mattheus, as relaxed and happy and ready to take the next step with him.





Chapter 2