Second Chances(58)

"Thank you," was all she could manage before she dashed away down the path.

Sarah was overwhelmed and found herself wiping at a tear or two herself. She came around and knelt down in front of Jason.

"That's a keeper you got there," she said. "She loves you very much."

And Sarah knew her words were true. There was no question how much Ms. Murphy loved Jason. However, looking at him now, staring off blankly into the distance, she once again couldn't deny that part of her wished she would stop her visits. She could already tell, like he seemed to do after each of her visits, Jason was retreating further into himself.





CHAPTER FORTY-TWO



Paige woke to find Nathan looking down at her. She had her arms wrapped around his right arm and had been using his shoulder as a pillow. He smiled at her and she returned it. She untangled herself from him and was surprised to find she was a little sad when she did.

"Good morning," he said.

She looked around the cabin, sunlight was streaming in through the windows.

"Morning? What time is it?"

Nathan let out a short laugh. "I honestly have no clue. I am not sure what time zone my watch is set to anymore. I think we are supposed to land around ten or so local time. Now when the heck I will adjust to local time, that is anyones guess."

Paige shook her head and laughed as well. She got up from her seat and moved out into the aisle to stretch. She had thought that the flight was only supposed to be three or four hours. She didn't feel as if she had slept very long and yet waking next to Nathan, she actually felt somewhat rested. She still felt butterflies swirling in her stomach and believed that if she spent any real time thinking about what they were doing then the tremors might return, but for now she decided to live in the moment and enjoy it.

"It looks good," Nathan said, looking at her.

Paige looked around the cabin before turning back to Nathan, a puzzled expression on her face.

He reached up and tapped his chest and then pointed at her. Paige looked down and noticed the cross dangling on the chain. She blushed and covered it with a hand.

"I...it fell out of your pocket back in...umm"

He smiled and laughed again.

"It's okay, Paige. I bought it for you. To be honest, I have to say I had completely forgotten about it. I think it looks great on you. I am glad you like it."

"I really do. It's beautiful and I love it. Thank you."

"But it is not quite right, is it?"

She was quiet a moment, then looked down at it and a frown appeared.

"Sorry, Paige. I know you said you hate me doing that."

She touched the cross and her smile returned.

"Believe it or not, part of me had completely forgotten the craziness of this entire situation until you said that."

"Then let me say again, I am really sorry."

She nodded and then sat back down, taking the aisle seat.

"I guess it is okay. I mean I guess we need to deal with this situation as upfront and honestly as we can." She was quiet for a minute before saying, "And you are right. It's not quite right, but it is lovely. Thank you."

Nathan nodded, but turned, looked out the window and silently cursed himself.

"I guess I need to...I don't know, lighten up about it a bit. I mean if we intend to figure it all out then we are going to have to discuss it, right?"

Again Nathan nodded. "Yeah, but I could have waited for you to be up longer than two minutes before throwing it in your face."

Paige reached over and patted him on the arm. "I admit that is not my preferred way to be woken up."

"I know," Nathan said and instantly regretted it when he saw her shiver at his response. He silently cursed himself again before asking, "So do you want to talk about it?"

Paige sat in silence for several minutes. He waited, unwilling to push any further. She turned to say something when a ding sounded in the cabin and the pilot came on the intercom and announced that they would be starting their descent into Providence shortly.

"Well I guess I was saved by the bell," Paige said.

"Okay, but we are still going to have to address it."

"I know," she said, looking away. "How about we make a decision then. I really do not want to discuss it now and I think you agree. I would also not like to discuss it while we are driving. Can we maybe get settled a bit first? Then I promise, we can start trying to talk about it."

Nathan understood what she was saying. She would be willing to start discussing it, but was making no promises how far they would get. There were so many questions that needed to be asked and answered. So many things to be uncovered and she wasn't sure how well she would handle the search for those answers. Nathan wasn't sure how well he would either, but they both knew they would have to at least start the process.