It hurt so much, but knowing what she knew now, she wouldn’t change anything. He’d reminded her that loving was a part of her life. That she’d been empty for a long time. She didn’t think she would ever get over him, nor was she likely to give her heart to anyone else, but they had had a brief, joyous time together. They’d had a miracle and how many people could say that?
She bent over and kissed his cheek. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake.
“I love you, Arizona,” she murmured.
“Chloe. I dreamed about you.”
She stiffened, then relaxed when she realized he was talking in his sleep. “I dreamed about you, too,” she said. “I dreamed about you the night I wore that stupid nightgown. I guess now that I know its power, I have to stop calling it names. You are my destiny, Arizona Smith. If you ever decide to settle down, come back to me.”
Then she left the room without once looking back.
* * *
AS HE DID every morning, Arizona woke with the first light of dawn. He stretched, then rolled over to snuggle against Chloe.
“What the—”
She wasn’t here. He felt under the covers, but her side of the bed was cold. A quick glance confirmed that her clothes were gone, so she had probably left sometime in the night.
The disappointment cut through him. Why? All he’d wanted was one night so they could wake up in each other’s arms. Was that asking too much? They only had a couple of days together until he left.
If he left.
Arizona stiffened. Where had that thought come from? Of course he was leaving. He had work to do, a life. He wasn’t going to stick around in some small town. What for? Chloe? So they could be together?
He couldn’t do it, he admitted to himself. He couldn’t take the risk and stay. With his family history, with his poor relationship skills, there was no way he could make her happy. He was bound to blow it and then where would they be?
He cursed loudly, then flopped back on his pillow. As he did, he heard paper crinkle. When he turned he saw a handwritten note and a thick sheaf of papers. Chloe’s article?
He read the note. As her words registered, a knot of pain formed in his gut. He swore again, louder and longer this time, then crumpled the note and tossed it on the floor. The change in airline reservations. He’d completely forgotten that he’d called about three hours after he’d arrived in Bradley. At the time, he hadn’t wanted to spend more time here than necessary. As soon as he’d found out the date of his last lecture, he’d gone on the waiting list to leave right after that. But since then, everything had changed. He wanted to be with Chloe right up until the last minute.
What must she be thinking? he wondered, then groaned. Probably that he was using her then abandoning her at the first opportunity. No doubt she thought he would take off later today and never give her another thought.
He rolled over and reached for the phone. But before he picked up the receiver, he glanced at the clock. It wasn’t quite six in the morning. If Chloe lived alone that wouldn’t be a problem, but his call was going to wake up Charity and Cassie, too.
That can’t be helped, he thought. But before he could grab the phone, it rang.
“Hello?”
“Good morning. I can tell by your voice I didn’t wake you.”
Arizona sat up and clutched the receiver. “Chloe? It’s not what you think.”
“I know.”
She sounded all right, but he wasn’t sure he could believe that. He had to make sure she understood. “What do you know?”
“That you made the reservation before we got involved. At least that’s what I’m hoping.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. “Of course it is. I forgot I’d requested an earlier flight. I’m going to call them right now and tell them I want to keep on the original schedule.” Or maybe go later, but before he could add that, she sighed.
“Don’t,” she whispered.
The knot of pain returned, and with it a tightness in his chest. “Don’t what?”
“Don’t change the flight back. You’re leaving. Whether it’s today or in a couple of days, you’re still going to be gone. Last night was terrific. I don’t think we could top it, so why not let that be our last memory?”
Because I want to see you again. I want to hold you and hear you laugh. I want to figure out a way to make this work.
But he didn’t say any of that. She sounded so calm and controlled. Maybe this hadn’t mattered to her as much as he’d hoped. If she really wanted him gone, then he would go. But he made one last attempt. “Are you sure? I would like to see you again.”
“Arizona, I—” Her breath caught and then he knew. She wasn’t calm or unmoved by their conversation. She was clinging to composure by a thread.