“I h-had to,” she managed between sobs as she tried to catch her breath. “I couldn’t go with him, and he doesn’t belong here.”
“Foolish girl. Of course he does.”
Chloe sniffed and straightened. “What are you talking about?”
Charity led her to the table, then started the kettle for tea. While the water was heating, she settled in the seat opposite Chloe’s and handed her niece several tissues.
“You dreamed about him, Chloe. He’s your destiny. You should have asked him to stay.”
Hopelessness churned with the pain. “That’s just some stupid old family legend. You know that.”
“Fine. Ignore the dream, but what about everything else? What about the fact that you love him and you let him go without telling him?”
Chloe blew her nose. Her body ached as it did when she had the flu. “I told him. Sort of.”
“He didn’t know it when he called.”
Her head came up and she stared at her aunt. “Arizona called? Here?”
“About an hour ago. He was in San Francisco. His plane was about to take off, and he wanted to talk to you.”
She opened her mouth, but there weren’t any words. She’d missed his call? It was too devastating to consider. “I just—”
“Oh, Chloe. Why didn’t you fight for him?”
“He doesn’t belong here. The world is his home.”
“Home isn’t a place, it’s a state of mind. I think he wanted to stay, but wasn’t sure he would be welcome.”
Chloe turned that thought over in her mind. “He never hinted that he did.” She swallowed. “I’ve been over this a thousand times. The truth is I love him, but I couldn’t ask him to stay. I don’t know if that makes me a coward or not. Everything happened so fast. It’s hard to have him gone, but I believe we need the time. I’m sure of my feelings, but I don’t think he’s sure of his. I think he’s afraid of being abandoned again, so he always does the leaving. And I can’t be with a man who won’t trust me.”
“So what happens now?” her aunt asked.
“Now I wait. You’re wrong. I did tell Arizona how I felt. I told him if he wanted to come back to me, I would be waiting. So it’s up to him. I’m giving him time to figure out what he wants. He has to come to me freely, Aunt Charity. He has to believe.”
Her aunt studied her face. “You’ve become a wise, mature woman, Chloe. Your parents would be very proud of you. I’m very proud to have you as a part of my life.”
“I don’t feel very wise. I feel broken and empty.”
“I understand.” She squeezed her fingers, then stood up to make the tea. “What are you going to do?”
Chloe had figured that one out on the drive home. “I’m going to spend the rest of the day in bed feeling sorry for myself. Tomorrow, to quote my editor, I’m going to get my butt in the chair and make the changes he wants on my article.”
“He liked it?”
“Yeah.” Chloe brushed away the tears that continued to fall. In a couple of days she would share the news of her promotion with her family, but she couldn’t talk about it now.
Charity looked at her. “Honey, go on up to bed. I’ll bring you the tea.”
Chloe nodded, then did as her aunt bade. As she headed for her room, she reminded herself she was doing the right thing. She and Arizona needed time. It was the old cliché about setting something free. If he came back to her, then they would be together. If he didn’t, he had never really wanted to be a part of her life. Unfortunately, the cliché didn’t give any advice about getting through the waiting period or knowing when it was time to give up hope.
* * *
THE AIR ON the island was thick and humid with a sensual lushness that never failed to make Arizona feel like a nonbeliever entering a sacred temple. This small paradise off to one corner of the Pacific Ocean had always been one of his favorite places. Yet as he stepped off the boat onto the soft sand, he couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was wrong.
For the first time in his life, he didn’t want to be here. He didn’t want to be anywhere but back in Bradley. What was the point of seeing the world if he couldn’t also see Chloe’s face, hear her laugh, touch her?
He shook off the thoughts, telling himself it was little more than jet lag. Something that was to be expected after traveling nearly forty-eight hours straight. He would get over being tired and slightly off balance, just like he would get over missing Chloe.
Several women waited for him. He waved. Nada, the high priestess and ruler of the island, came toward him. Some of his pain eased as he felt genuine gladness at seeing her.