Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Angela and I had a blast perusing brochures while we waited for a meeting with Barbara, the travel agent. She looked about my age, which I considered a plus because I didn’t want a destination that catered to older adults or a family getaway, and she’d direct us to dynamic locations.
I explained my job as a travel writer, my dislike of traveling alone, and an upcoming honeymoon that my fiancé thought we should postpone. Angela didn’t interrupt me, although I noticed a surreptitious eye roll about my information-overload.
Barbara listened intently and, probably, gathered clues for destinations from the colorful flyers I’d placed on the desk. “I see you’re interested in something tropical,” she noted. “Do we have a budget in mind or will the magazine pay for your trip?”
“I wouldn’t ask them to foot the bill for my honeymoon,” I said, shaking my head.
Angela piped up. “Why not?”
The thought hadn’t crossed my mind, nor would I want to take advantage of my boss, so I ignored my sister-in-law’s query.
“I’ll need your guidance for the budget,” I told Barbara.
“I’d like the cost for five days at a beachside resort, plus airfare.
If you could work up quotes for three locations, I’ll discuss them with my fiancé tonight. ”
“Sure,” she agreed, “although I’ll need a deposit in order to book anything.” Before long, she suggested Cozumel, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen, each of which looked manageable, budget-wise.
Barbara printed off all of the travel details, including flight arrangements, transportation to the resorts, and any amenities included in the package.
Other than the brochures and printouts, I had no idea how to decide, but I felt certain that Angela would add her suggestions on the drive back to my apartment.
I left a check for Barbara from my personal account that she assured me wouldn’t be deposited until I gave her the authority to do so. That way, once Brad and I made a decision, we could move forward with reservations.
After leaving Triple A, I scoured the brochures for the three potential destinations while Angela drove. “I think I’d like to visit each one of these places. Have you ever been?”
“Nope, although everyone’s heard of Cancun, and the resort isn’t too far from the airport in Mexico.”
Sighing, I placed all of the information into my purse. “I’m not sure Brad will think this is a good idea.”
“Why not?” She looked surprised I’d suggest such a thing.
“He’s all about what he can afford, and he may not be happy that I used my personal check to secure the deal.”
She chose her words carefully. “Are you reflecting your former husband’s response because I doubt my brother would be concerned about whose account was used.”
I paused, glancing to watch her expression. “I don’t know where that came from. Maybe my dad.”
She nodded. “My dad would have said something like that, too. On the other hand, you’re right that Brad is all about what he can afford, but you can remind him that, in marriage, the two will become as one.”
“I think he and I both worry we won’t have enough money for the future. I guess it comes down to priorities.”
“Let me tell you something,” she said. “I’m sort of like my brother because financial stability was ingrained in us by my dad and his father. My husband, however, taught me that making good memories, which can cost money, play an important role in our happiness.”
“Why do memories have to cost anything? I remember the Christmas tree we chopped down every year…”
“Did you go to the deep woods to find the perfect tree?”
I frowned. “No, we went to a tree farm in the county where we could pick out what we wanted and literally help cut it down.”
“How much did that cost you for the adventure of it?”
“I get your point,” I said after a moment’s consideration. “So Mike believed a honeymoon was important?”
“We both did. We went to Paris for ours, totally out of our comfort zone, and we walked to all of the usual tourist sites as we spoke about our hopes and dreams.” At the traffic light, she turned to me. “That trip cemented our relationship and, I feel certain, gave life to our oldest son.”
I tried not to feel emotional. “Where should Brad and I go to bond?”
She smiled mysteriously. “That’s for you and my brother to decide.”
She pulled into the parking area behind my apartment and turned to me. “This was a fun adventure, but don’t hold it against me if Brad’s not totally enthusiastic. After all, I’m not an experienced Matron of Honor.”
“You’re the best I could ever have. Today was so much fun.”
“I can’t wait to hear about my brother’s response. You have to text me tonight.”
I laughed. “I’m going to hold you to the statement you made at the beginning of our quest. If he doesn’t want a honeymoon, you and I will go to one of those places together.”
“One of them? Over time, I’d like to visit all of them.”
We both chuckled, then said our farewells. She waited until I unlocked my door before pulling away.
Inside, it took only a moment to realize that supper with my fiancé needed to be extra-special. I couldn’t vie with his mother’s meatloaf on short notice, nor did I have a gas grill for steaks. I did, however, make a delicious seafood combo—and I could do that in the time allotted.
Except I needed to make a quick trip to the grocery store.
Luckily, the one closest to me offered fresh shrimp, tilapia, and scallops. I bought those, as well as prepared roasted potatoes and salad. We would have a feast.
By the time Brad walked into the kitchen after his workday, I had set the table and placed shrimp cocktail in the center of each plate. His eyes lit up as he reached to embrace me. “Are we having a special occasion?”
“Maybe,” I replied cryptically. “Or, maybe I wanted to share my exuberance.”
“Did you get a raise or something?”
I leaned into him, feeling his warmth and strength. “No, but that could come later.”
His mouth found mine, and we teased each other with our kisses until the aroma of caramelized scallops reached my nose. I lunged to turn off the burner at the perfect time, though he looked disappointed that our special moment had dissipated.
“Would you like water or iced tea with supper?” I asked.
He cleared his throat. “Water, please.”
We sat to enjoy the entire seafood combo until neither of us could eat another morsel. He pushed back in his chair and gave me a seductive scrutiny.
“What’s the deal?” he asked.
“I was in the mood to show you my cooking skills.” I could tell he didn’t look convinced about my reason for a special meal.
He laughed. “I know you can cook, but there’s something I think you want to tell me.”
I tried to look innocent. “Not really… Well, I met up with your sister today.”
“Uh-oh. That’s got to be trouble.”
“Did you know that she and Mike went to Paris for their honeymoon?”
“Yes, but we’re not going to Paris for ours. Right?”
“Of course not.” I smiled seductively.
“Didn’t we decide to wait until the New Year?”
I sighed. “I wasn’t quite convinced about that, and Angela thinks we should take a few days for ourselves after the wedding.”
“Aren’t we going to Stone Harbor?”
“Not if Alicia has taken over Rita’s upstairs apartment.”
“Right,” he said, realizing the problem.
“So, your sister and I went to a travel agent today.”
“Uh-oh,” he reiterated.
I quickly cleared our dishes from the table, then placed the three brochures in front of him. “Which would you prefer?”
He stared at the photos of Cozumel, Cancun, and Playa del Carmen. “Are we talking about right after the wedding?”
“Yes,” I agreed with a deliberate nod. “Five days and some good deals. I know we have fall cleanups, but I believe Paolo can oversee all of those until we return.”
He nodded, looking interested. “I’ve always wanted to see Mexico. Which would you prefer?”
I wanted to shout my excitement and to melt into his arms. “Really? Oh, my gosh. We’re going to have a real honeymoon!” I landed in his lap and our lips melded.
At that point, we didn’t decide. We did later, at least for our first trip to the Mexican Caribbean, while we loaded plates into the dishwasher, washed the cast-iron pan, and soaked pots with soapy water.
“Are you sure?” I asked, leaning into him.
He looked into my eyes and I felt our connection. “Yes, I’m positive. You’re right that we need to do something special to seal our commitment, and I’m sorry I considered putting my business before you.”
I gave him a fervent kiss, then leaned back. “We’re in that together, but we can’t let it stop us from building our family life. I love you, Brad Davenport.”
“I love you, too, honey. Shall we go by alphabetical order for our honeymoon to Mexico?”
I grinned. “Cancun it is!”