Razor Sharp by Fern Michaels

can even make buttonholes.”
    “That’s so nice to know. I have some skirts that need to be hemmed.”
    They both knew Cosmo wouldn’t be threading a needle anytime soon.
    “What would you like to do today, Elizabeth?” Cosmo asked.
    “Absolutely nothing. I could sit out here all day and just talk to you. Or we could go inside and watch old movies. Or, if you want to go into town, we could do that, and I could try my luck on the slot machines. Whatever you want to do is fine with me as long as you’re sure you don’t have to go to your office.”
    “We should talk about our honeymoon and squaring away our time. I want to take you on a trip around the world. Would that work for you, Elizabeth? I’ve been, but I had no one to share it with. I’d like to see the world through your eyes so we can enjoy it together.”
    Lizzie gasped. “Around the whole world? How long would that take?”
    “About a year, give or take. I did it after my mother died. I couldn’t seem to get it together and I thought…I don’t know what I thought. My parents always said someday they were going to do it, but someday never came for them, so I did it. Late, I grant you, so I don’t want to be late again. If you don’t want to do it, that’s okay, we can put it on our vacation-slash-honeymoon list and do it when you feel ready. I have to tell you, it’s a commitment like no other.”
    “Oh, Cricket, I do. I really do. When we clear up here, we can get our day planners out and a calendar and go from there. I’m getting excited just thinking about it.”
    “The trick is to travel light and purchase as you go along. I don’t mean that the way it sounds. I didn’t discard anything, I gave it away. It worked. I fully understand that women are different, so whatever works for you will work for me. I will gladly carry your bags.”
    Lizzie’s jaw dropped. “Cricket, I know how to rough it. I backpacked through five countries with only a knapsack. I will admit I was a bit…uh… gamey from time to time. That makes one appreciate a long, hot shower, even if it’s under a tree with a hose.”
    Cosmo burst out laughing. The whole deck rumbled at the sound. He felt so pleased with himself that he couldn’t stop.
    “What? What’s so funny?”
    “You!” Cosmo continued to laugh. “Look at you, you’re the most beautiful woman in the world, and you dress like a movie star and model. I’m just having a hard time imagining you roughing it, as you put it.”
    Just for a second Lizzie looked indignant, but then she, too, laughed.
    Cosmo’s laughter died in his throat when he suddenly stood up and lumbered over to the stairway that led to the lawn. “Mona! What’s wrong? What are you doing here?”
    “Mr. Cricket, I know what you told me but I think this is important; otherwise, I wouldn’t have come all the way out here. If it turns out I made a mistake, you can fire me,” Cosmo’s secretary said.
    “What happened? Don’t tell me someone managed to rip off one of the casinos. Please don’t tell me that.”
    “I won’t tell you any such thing because that didn’t happen. A messenger of sorts came by the office about an hour ago. It was a young girl, maybe eighteen, if that. She said her brother was supposed to bring this package to you yesterday morning, but he had a car accident and was taken to the hospital. When they released him last night, his father took him home, and he was groggy, but he kept worrying about a package he had been paid to deliver. I signed for it and gave her twenty-five dollars out of petty cash. The family has no insurance. You know how I feel about things like that, Mr. Cricket. So, here is the package.”
    Cosmo reached for the manila envelope, thanked his secretary, and watched till she was out of the yard. It was only when he heard the sound of a car’s engine that he walked over to Lizzie and dropped the envelope on the table. “I think I might know what this is, and I’m almost afraid to