Silver Linings

on, now, Mattie. You know what they say. Better the devil you know. Look what happened when you decided to go your own way.”
    “I suppose you would have realized instantly that there was a military coup going on here?”
    “Long before you did, babe. As soon as I contacted the tower, I knew something was wrong. If you'd been with me, we wouldn't have even touched down. I'd have turned and headed for Hades or Brimstone and tried to contact Cormier by phone to see what was happening.”
    “Hugh, please. I realize that you are ever vigilant and always prepared when it comes to this sort of thing and I'm not. But I really don't need any of your lectures right now.”
    To Mattie's astonishment, his voice gentled. “I know, babe, I know. I'm still a little shook, myself, that's all.”
    She stared at his broad-shouldered back, not believing her ears. “You? Shook?”
    “Hell, yes. I was afraid I was going to walk in and find you dead in that hall along with Cormier.”
    “Oh.”
    “Is that all you can say?” The gentleness had already vanished from his rough voice.
    “Well, I can see where it would have been a bit awkward explaining things to Aunt Charlotte.”
    “Christ. There is that, isn't there? She'd have had my head.” Hugh came to an abrupt halt. He was looking at a small, fern-choked stream flowing past his boots. “Okay, here we go.”
    Mattie peered at the twisting ribbon of water. “Now what?”
    “We turn left and follow this stream.” Hugh glanced back the way they had come. “I think we've got the place to ourselves. Everybody's busy with the revolution. Let's go.”
    The rain was coming down harder now, battering at the leaves so violently that it created a dull roar. Mattie followed Hugh in silence, her whole attention focused on keeping up with him while she juggled the string bag and her purse.
    The black earth was turning to mud. Her shoes were caked with it. Her hair had long since come free of its neat coil and hung in limp tendrils around her shoulders. Her silk shirt was soaked. The rain had cooled things down a little, but not much. The whole jungle seemed to be steaming like a thick, green stew.
    Mattie eyed the ground, watching each step she took so that she did not stumble in the tangle of mud and vines. She took a closer look at the vines when she caught her toe on one.
    “Hugh,” she asked wearily, “what about snakes?”
    “What about 'em?”
    “Do they come out in the rain?”
    “Not if they've got any sense.”
    “Damn it, Hugh.”
    He chuckled. “Forget about snakes. There aren't any on these islands.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “I'm sure.”
    “I hope you're right.” She dragged the string bag over another fallen log. Something small and green came alive under the hand she had used to brace herself. “ Hugh .”
    He glanced back. “Just a little lizard. He's more scared than you are.”
    “That's a matter of opinion.” Mattie forced herself to take several deep breaths as the small creature scuttled quickly out of sight. “Hugh, this really isn't my kind of thing, you know?”
    “I know it's a little outside your field of expertise, babe, but you'll get the hang of it. Your problem is you've spent too much of your time with those namby-pamby art collectors whose idea of living dangerously is investing in an unknown artist.”
    Mattie bristled at this echo of their old argument. “You're quite right, of course.”
    He didn't seem to notice her sarcastic tone. “Sure, I'm right. You ought to get out of Seattle more often. Go places. Do things. Charlotte says this is your first vacation in two years. When was the last time you did something really exciting?”
    Mattie shoved wet hair out of her eyes and set her back teeth. “About a year ago when I seduced you and asked you to marry me and take me back to St. Gabriel with you. You may recall the occasion. And we both know where that bit of excitement got me.”
    Hugh was silent for an embarrassing amount of time before he said, “Yeah, well, that wasn't quite what I meant.”
    “Really?” Mattie smiled grimly to herself and pulled a shoe out of the mud. “I assure you, that was adventurous enough for me. I've been thoroughly enjoying the quiet life ever since. Until now, that is.”
    “Babe, about last year—”
    “I don't want to discuss it.”
    “Well, we're going to discuss it.” Hugh slashed at an orchid-covered vine with his hand. “Damn it, Mattie, I've been trying to talk to you about that