“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I sound funny because I’m crying.”
His chest tightened. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, silly. I’m crying because I’m happy. I got your telegram. I’m sorry you had to cut your trip short, but I’m glad you’re coming home. I love you, Arizona.”
“I love you, too.” He practically had to shout, but it was worth it. They were actually talking to each other. “I missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” She cleared her throat. “Are you sure you want to do this? I mean with your work and everything, are you sure you want to give up the travel?”
He understood that she was asking for him—wanting him to make sure that he wasn’t going to regret his decision later. “I have two things to say about that,” he told her. “First, I’m going to take the job at Bradley University. Their offer gave me plenty of time to travel in the summer, along with scheduled sabbaticals. I sort of thought you’d go with me.”
“Of course. I’d like that. First class all the way, right?”
“Sure. I’ll get you the best camels and carts around.”
She laughed. “I do love you. What else?”
“I sent the telegram before I read the article, Chloe. I sent it before I knew what you’d written on the last page.”
He heard her breath catch. She was crying again.
“Chloe, don’t.”
“I can’t help it. I’m so happy.”
He looked at the crowds in the terminal. The public-address system announced the first boarding call for his flight. This was not how he’d wanted to do it, but he didn’t have a choice.
“I have to go,” he said. “But first I want to ask you something.”
She sniffed. “What?”
“Will you marry me?”
“What?”
The terminal suddenly got very quiet. Arizona looked up and saw several dozen people staring at him. He waved, then turned his back on them. “Will you marry me? I love you and I want us to be together for the rest of our lives. We’ll make it work. I know we can do that.”
“I know we can, too. Yes, I’ll marry you, Arizona. I’ll also be waiting at the gate in San Francisco. I’ll rent a room down by the waterfront and we can spend the night drinking champagne and making love.”
He thought about the little statue in his pocket and knew they would have to pass on the champagne. But the rest of it sounded perfect.
“I’ll see you in about five hours,” he said. “I love you. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Fly safe. ’Bye.”
He hung up the phone and picked up his carry-on bag. The crowd around him burst into applause. He was still grinning when he took his seat.
* * *
“SPARKLING CIDER?” Chloe asked, as she handed him his glass.
Arizona raised himself up on one elbow to take the fruit drink and smiled. “I wasn’t in the mood for alcohol. Thanks for indulging me.”
She slipped into bed and snuggled close. “Right now I would do anything for you.”
She would, too. It felt so right to be back together with him. Letting him go had been difficult, but in her heart Chloe knew she’d made the right decision. Maybe Arizona had needed to go away to figure out where he really wanted to be. She didn’t know if it was fate, the nightgown, the stars or just luck, but they were together and they were going to stay together. She couldn’t ask for anything more.
Arizona leaned over, put down his glass and grabbed a pad of paper from the nightstand.
“What’s that for?” she asked.
“A list. Eventually we’re going to leave this bed and head back to Bradley.”
“Probably,” she teased.
He kissed her, then returned his attention to the paper. “This is everything we have to do in the next few days. First, I have to call and accept the job offer at the university.”
“I made an appointment for you with Dr. Grantham. It’s on Friday at ten.” She winked. “I know your style. You would want to see him as soon as possible.”
He grinned. “We’re going to be great together. Okay, that’s done. Second, I have to call my father. Nada, the woman I was telling you about, wants him to come visit her.”
“I’m sure he’ll enjoy his time there.” Chloe glanced at the fat little statue he’d brought her. It sat on the dresser, its unblinking eyes seeming to see everything. “There’s something strange about the shape of that thing,” she said. “I just can’t put my finger on it.”
“We need to set a date for the wedding.”