The Turquoise Shroud: A Seth Halliday Novel

by Bobby Underwood

  Our plans for Central and South America appeared to be a wash, but there was nothing wrong with Cozumel. We could take Sonny's plane back to Miami, later. Caroline didn't care, as long as we were together.

  After the wedding, at which, of all people, Sonny caught the bouquet, Florencia, who was acting as our chauffeur to the resort, drove the Jaguar past it without even slowing. Sonny and Katarina, Sanchez and about twenty of his family that were following us seemed undisturbed. No one honked, they just continued to follow us.

  "Did you miss it, Flo?" I asked.

  "Mr. Fernandez wished to give you a little surprise after I gave him the details of all that happened. Harry helped a lot."

  "Harry?"

  "Just sit tight, you two, and trust me."

  Caroline looked at me, all bright-eyed and curious. I kissed her tenderly.

  In a couple of minutes I knew where we were headed. Florencia pulled over to the shoulder and I saw her below. If I hadn't known any better, I'd have thought it was Stella. But she wasn't Stella. Painted in a lovely scroll just above the waterline, her name, Sweet Caroline. I learned it was Harry's idea.

  Caroline -- the real one, not the boat -- began to cry and leaned forward to throw her arms around Florencia. Then they were both crying.

  We made our way down to the new boat, everyone following us. Sonny and Katarina were taking off for Miami in his plane as soon as Caroline and I set sail. Harry had decided he'd go with them for a few weeks, then catch up with Caroline and me in one of those countries that speak Spanish. Sonny would fly him over to rejoin us.

  I still remember the butterflies -- real ones -- as Caroline and I cast off, waving goodbye. It was April and they seemed to be everywhere, even on the pier. They fluttered around like orange and blue and yellow bits of promise for the future, as if someone had released them to bless our union.

  I took Sweet Caroline out to sea and charted a course along the coastline of Central America. I showed Caroline the route we were taking. She hadn't stopped smiling since the wedding, but I sensed some small shadow appearing on the horizon. Beside me at the helm, she squeezed my arm. I turned to her and she said, "Seth, the only time I…you know, was when they…"

  I hadn't known. I put my arms around her. "We don't have to do anything until you're ready."

  She smiled again, the clouds lifting. "I was waiting on you to make the first move. It's all knew to me. Maybe we could stop the boat?"

  "Sure, we can just drift a while, if you like." I shut off the engines.

  Caroline took my hand in hers. "Make love to me, Seth, the way it's supposed to be."

  We made love, sweet and tender, just drifting on the water. Much later, in the evening, there was laughter and joy to our lovemaking. When I awoke sometime during the night, I felt something crunch beneath me. A piece of paper. They were all over the bed, little squares she'd written on. I picked one up as she propped her head up on one elbow. All of them had written on them: I love Seth.

  "Shouldn't these be in your pocket or somewhere safe?" I asked, grinning.

  She smiled. "No, I knew I'd never forget, I just didn't want you to ever forget."

  I took her in my arms and made another memory with sweet Caroline.