“So why were you so interested in exotic matter, Dr. Carter?”
“You’re asking me?” I flick my gaze from Finn to Green and back to Finn.
He nods. “Go ahead.”
“Instead of the cross, the albatross…” I mutter, then clear my throat.
“Because I found a wormhole.”
CHAPTER 35
The Widow
Blue silk slides over my head and streams down my body, as cool as ocean water against my skin. Nathan will love it.
The glow from dozens of candles lights a path from the living room, through the hallway, to the bedroom and bath. Their tiny flames flicker as I pass, casting shifting shadows that make the hallway feel as if it’s breathing. The floor is covered in rose petals, the thickest layer leading to the bed. On top of the dresser, chilled fruit and champagne wait among bouquets of every color. I’ve displayed the best photos of us across the room—big smiles and sun-kissed skin.
Belize. I smell it. I feel it.
Everything is just how Nathan arranged our bungalow on our first night.
On our Honeymoon.
I’m trying to relax, but anticipation has my stomach in tight knots. At least I know he made it through the first thermal dive in his spacesuit. I giggle. He called me from the ship. His voice was a little… off. But it sounds like everything went as they expected for the first dive, and they made it all the way to anew chamber where they found The Towers. How many of these dives is it going to take to find answers?
But for now he’s safe, and he’s coming home.
Any minute now, he’ll walk through the door.
I check the time again.
Smiling, I drift toward the kitchen.
Nathan’s car lights stream through the windows. I look around, unsure where to stand, how to pose. I want to amaze him when he walks in. But I’m too impatient to wait, so I decide to meet him at the door. As soon as I hear his footsteps, I swing it open.
And there he is.
He’s wearing crisp, light linen and looks like the archaeologist he is. My handsome genius.
I reach for his hand to pull him closer and feel something cold and hard on his finger. His wedding band. He found it.
When I meet his gaze, he’s staring at me. “You’re beautiful, Mrs. Carter.”
Still holding my hand, he walks in and surveys the room, inspecting my handiwork. “Wow. I feel like I’m there.” I tag along with him as he tours the entire house.
When we reach the bedroom, he pulls me into his arms and kisses me. The kiss is… different. More assertive, more… Nathan?
“Love you,” he whispers into my ear, his chin resting on my shoulder. Then he pulls away and starts to blow out the candles.
Confused, I try to stop him. “Is something wrong?”
He smiles. “No, everything’s perfect. I just don’t want to burn down the house.” He pauses and turns to me. I’m looking at him, dumbfounded. He knows I just spent hours getting this ready. What’s he up to?
“I hope it’s okay,” he says, continuing. “On the drive here, I got this wild idea.” He’s breathless now, eyes bright.
I’m completely lost, but he looks so happy. I’ll go along with it.
“There’s an order you need to follow with these kinds of things. Before we take our honeymoon… I’ve got a surprise for you.”
