Thinking of Nada made him think of Chloe, but everything did these days. He pulled out the small statue and closed his fingers around the worn stone. He doubted she knew about the tiny life growing inside of her. He hadn’t decided if he should tell her or let her figure it out herself. Maybe he should just propose and then wait for her to tell him about the baby. He didn’t want her thinking he was only interested in her because of the child. Even if he and Chloe could never have children, he would still want to be with her. She was the very best part of him. He ached for her the way a swimmer staying underwater too long ached for air.
He tucked the statue back in his pocket, then opened his briefcase. He might as well try to work on the long flight. He doubted he would be able to sleep.
He pulled out a folder and saw a thick stack of papers underneath. Chloe’s article. He’d been too caught up in missing her when he’d been flying to the island to read what she’d written. Now he wanted to see what she had to say. Maybe reading her words would make him feel connected to her.
The article opened with a quote from him. “I’m no one’s idea of a superhero. People who are heroes change the world for the better. Gandhi, Joseph Campbell, Mother Teresa…these people are heroes. I’m just a stubborn man who does his research and occasionally gets the opportunity to find something fantastic.”
Chloe went on to say that there were those who would disagree with the idea that he wasn’t a hero. She hadn’t made up her mind, but from all that she’d seen, he was, at the very least, a good man, and how often could that be said about someone these days?
She wrote about his background, mixing humor with the sad image of a little boy often left alone in strange places. She explained how those experiences had molded him into a unique person. She detailed the myth behind the man.
Arizona didn’t know whether to be thrilled or embarrassed. She made him sound like a really great guy. He liked that, but he was also aware of his limitations. Then he turned the page and froze.
“The first time I saw Arizona Smith was in a dream.” She went on to tell about the family legend, the magic nightgown, and how on the night of her twenty-fifth birthday, she’d worn the nightgown and he’d appeared before her. She talked about meeting him the next day, of how he was exactly as she’d dreamed…right down to the scar on his arm.
Arizona didn’t know how long he sat there, dumbfounded by the revelation. Everything fell into place. No wonder she’d acted so odd when they’d first met. She must have been terrified and confused. After all, Chloe didn’t believe in magic. He closed his eyes and tried to remember all he could from the family legend. A smile curved his mouth. The fact that she’d dreamed about him meant they were—if he recalled correctly—destined for each other. It confirmed what Nada had said…and what his own heart had finally told him. They belonged together. For always.
He read through the rest of the article. Chloe’s style was clear and concise. He could see her visual images clearly. As he turned to the last page he wondered if she would consider collaborating on a writing project with him. Something about his travels. Then he noticed a handwritten note at the bottom of the page.
“I couldn’t let you go without telling you the truth. I love you. You don’t have to do anything with that information. I don’t expect you to say anything back. I know that we have very different lives and goals. At first I told myself it was enough that I’d known you and we’d had a short time together. But now I want more. I want to know if there is a way to find a compromise between our worlds. Please use your time on the island to think about this. At the end of summer, if you find you want me, I’ll be waiting.”
It had been there all along. Her confession. If only he’d read it that morning, or on the plane. He closed his eyes and shook his head. Or maybe it was supposed to have been this way. Maybe he had to leave to know what he’d lost.
He pulled his telegram out of his pocket and read the first two lines.
I COULDN’T LET YOU GO WITHOUT TELLING YOU THE TRUTH. STOP. I LOVE YOU. STOP.
They’d used exactly the same words.
He leaned forward anxiously, then realized that he couldn’t make the plane go faster, no matter how much he willed it. So he forced himself to relax and to wait. He would call her from Hawaii. This time he would get through. He had to. He loved her.
* * *
ARIZONA PRESSED THE receiver harder against his ear. The noise in the terminal was deafening. “Chloe, is that you?”
“Yes.” Her voice sounded strange.