by Jaden Skye
“You’ve got to stop blaming yourself for everything, Mattheus,” Cindy murmured. “We do what we can and life does the rest for us.”
Mattheus put her hand to his mouth and kissed it back. “I wish I could feel that way,” he said.
“We have to trust,” Cindy whispered, “or we won’t be able to go on.”
“I trust you completely,” Mattheus turned to her then and pulled her to him.
“For now you do,” said Cindy, “but you have to promise to trust no matter what. I have to, as well. We have to trust each other totally.”
Mattheus laughed lightly. “Okay, let’s make that promise,” he said, stroking her face gently.
Cindy felt as if everything had been worth it, sitting here like this with him now, having him stroking her face, looking into his eyes and seeing only love in them.
“We don’t only have to trust each other,” Cindy added softly then, as the sun drifted down on them, “we have to promise to trust life.”
Mattheus was only half listening to what she was saying. He seemed as happy and content as she was.
“Are you listening to me, Mattheus?” Cindy asked jokingly.
“I’m trying my best,” said Mattheus. “One thing I can tell you for sure though, when you’re here, it’s much easier to trust. It’s a different life for me with you in it.”
They kissed for a long, wonderful time then, as the waves beneath them rocked around them, seemingly echoing their joy.
*
After a few more hours alone together, Cindy and Mattheus went back up to their room, where Ann and Frank were waiting for them. They all hugged each other deeply, and then sat down on the couches, to eat the lunch Ann and Frank had ordered for them all.
“I’ll always love you for saving my sister,” breathed Ann to Mattheus.
Cindy saw tears fill Mattheus’s eyes.
“Thanks, Ann,” he said, “I’m only hoping Cindy will always love me as well.”
“I will,” said Cindy in a soft voice.
Frank broke out laughing, “I will, I do,” he said. “Sounds a little like a wedding ceremony to me, and I’m so happy we could be here for it.”
They all laughed lightly then as Ann leaned over and began to open the serving platters and put the food on the plates beside them.
“You two saved Peter’s life,” Ann said softly. Cindy felt as though her sister finally realized the incredible gravity of her work, what it really entailed.
“You see now why we do this work?” Cindy asked Ann.
“Yes, I see,” Ann replied, looking at Cindy with awe.
“How can I not do it?” Cindy said.
“You have to do it because it fills your heart,” Ann replied, “and because people need you.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
“It’s open,” Mattheus called out.
Edward walked in, looking shaken and pale, having a hard time looking at them.
“I don’t know how I can ever thank you for this,” he said to Mattheus and Cindy, his head drooping. “I’m so ashamed of having asked you to leave. I’m horrified. What a fool I was!”
“Your son’s alive - that’s what counts,” Mattheus responded. “All kinds of stuff go on during a case. It’s over now. Let it go.”
“We’re all in shock,” Edward continued. “Our whole world is shaken. It boggles the mind.”
“Killing always does,” said Mattheus. “That’s why we’re here.”
“Mac asked me to thank you both as well for the incredible work you’ve done. He’s gone to another Island today, is moving there permanently. He told me to send you both his good wishes. He wants only the best for the two of you.”
Cindy and Mattheus nodded.
“And he left a letter for you,” Edward handed the letter to Cindy.
Cindy took it and slipped it into her bag. She had no desire at all to read any letter from Mac, but didn’t want to be rude.
“And how are Allie’s parents? “Cindy asked.
“They’ve returned to the States, completely wiped out. I have no idea how they’ll go on. And, if the two of you had left, the same thing would have happened to us. Peter’s life would have been in grave danger,” Edward went on, speaking very slowly, as if trying to absorb the facts. “Just knowing that we almost lost our son, I don’t know how we’ll go on, either.”
“You’ll go on fine,” Cindy said. “You’ll be thankful for every moment you have with Peter, and everyone else. You’ll comfort Allie’s family. You’ll also realize that most of us snap out of our jealousy and fear. Most of us want the best, are caring and thoughtful. There are only a few dangerous creatures among us. We can’t let them take the joy out of our living. When we realize that, we go on.”
“You’re a wise young woman,” Edward said appreciatively, “way beyond your years.”
“Life taught me directly,” said Cindy. “It taught Mattheus, too.”
The phone in the hotel room rang at that moment. Ann picked it up.
“Yes, Cindy and Mattheus are right here,” Ann replied.
Was it another reporter? Cindy wondered as she Mattheus looked at each other.
“Give me a moment, I’ll ask them,” Ann went on. “I don’t know if they’re available for another case right now. Let me find out.”
NOW AVAILABLE!
DEATH BY PROPOSAL
Book #7 in the Caribbean Murder Series
Cindy and Mattheus, finally away together for a much needed vacation on the beautiful island of Aruba, are awakened by horrible shouts of despair. A guest at the hotel has just discovered his new fiancée dead under their window, sprawled out on the courtyard below, soon after he had proposed. The two recently met online, had a long-distance internet relationship, and had met in person only a few times. The entire hotel is terrified and mobilized. Was it suicide or was it murder?
Despite pressure from Mattheus for Cindy to focus on their relationship and not become involved, she has to fulfill the promise she made to herself to help victims of crime. Cindy can’t stop herself from jumping in and helping.
Cindy and Mattheus’s relationship is put under strain as the tension heats up as they explore the strange web of relationships between the family of the young woman and her new fiancée. They meet the lackadaisical police on the Island, the victim’s strange father who always expected her to die, and the dead woman’s hot-headed boyfriend who recently turned up at the hotel with his new girlfriend. They are propelled deep into the worlds of counterfeit love, fantasy relationships, and the horror of not knowing the truth about the person you are with.
DEATH BY PROPOSAL is both a stand-alone novel, and is also Book #7 in the Caribbean Murder series, following DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1), DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2) and DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3), DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4), DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5) and DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6).
Now Available: Jaden’s Skye NEW romance series!
A PERFECT STRANGER
(Book #1 in the Tom’s River Saga)
Nestled among trees and hills, set alongside a winding river, the small town of Tom’s River, Wisconsin, so beautiful and protected, is a place where everybody knows each other, a place where nothing ever changes and where people can feel safe. But one day, all that changes. Megan’s husband has gone missing, and no one can find him.
As the search deepens, Megan discovers the truth not only about her husband, but also about the secrets he’s been hiding in their marriage. Her world is shook as she realizes she’s been living a lie, has been in a relationship with a man who’s been living a secret life, a man she never really knew.
Some months after his disappearance, as the snows of winter melt, Hunter, a handsome, magnetic stranger, arrives in Tom’s River. A loner with a mysterious past, he is content with his solitary job at the lumber yard. But as a tornado ravages the town, he is destined to cross paths with Megan, as she seeks help to repair her damaged home.
Once Hunter and Mega
n meet, nothing is ever the same again. As he repairs the roof that blew off her home, the two cannot hold back their feelings for each other. They fall madly in love. Yet Megan cannot, once again, live with a man who is keeping secrets from her: she needs Hunter to open up about who he is, about what he’s running from. And that is not something Hunter may be ready to do.
As they face a crucial crossroads in their affair, a shocking and dramatic twist hits the town: one that will test their love, and will test the town. Nothing will be the same in Tom’s River again.
Books by Jaden Skye
THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES
DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)
DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2)
DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3)
DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4)
DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5)
DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6)
DEATH BY PROPOSAL (Book #7)
DEATH BY OBSESSION (Book #8)
THE TOM’S RIVER SAGA
A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1)
Tap here to download Jaden Skye books on Amazon now!
About the Author
Jaden Skye is author of the #1 Bestselling CARIBBEAN MURDER series, which includes eight books (and counting). The first book in the series, DEATH BY HONEYMOON, was a #1 Bestseller, and is now available as a FREE download on Amazon!
Also in the series are DEATH BY DIVORCE (#2), DEATH BY MARRIAGE (#3), DEATH BY DESIRE (#4), DEATH BY DECEIT (#5), DEATH BY JEALOUSY (#6), DEATH BY PROPOSAL (#7) and DEATH BY OBSESSION (#8). She is also author of the romance A PERFECT STRANGER.
Jaden has always been fascinated with mystery, wrongful death, lies, deception and the power of the truth to prevail. Her romantic suspense/mystery novels feature strong female protagonists who must overcome insurmountable obstacles, and through them, she seeks to get to the very heart of the nature of justice and love.
Please visit www.jadenskye.com to find links to stay in touch with Jaden via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, her blog, and a whole bunch of other places. Jaden loves to hear from you, so don't be shy and check back often!
Please visit Jaden’s site, where you can join the mailing list, hear the latest news, see additional images, and find links to stay in touch with Jaden on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and elsewhere:
www.jadenskye.com