The puzzled look was back, but the smile remained. She sat up a little straighter, now studying him more intently.
"Thank you for your patience. We will now begin boarding rows thirty and higher. Again that is rows thirty and higher."
Nathan was vaguely aware of people around them getting up and moving toward the entrance of the jetway.
"You've heard me say it? I can't believe this. Nathan King? Nathan King? Sorry, I just can't place the name, but you definitely know me. From where?"
"You're..."
She looked into his eyes with anticipation, she was clearly enjoying this. Her face was slightly flushed with embarrassment.
"I'm..."
"Yes? Come on, don't tease me."
"Now passengers in rows twenty and higher. Rows twenty and higher."
"I'm your..." he started but couldn't finish.
"Insurance agent? New boss? Mailman?" she asked with a soft laugh that stabbed at Nathan's heart.
He took a slow breath and rubbed his palms on his pants. His throat felt parched.
"H...husband," he finally whispered.
CHAPTER SIX
Her laughter was like music, a grand symphony. For the past year he'd have given his life to hear it just one last time. But now, now it was like nails on a chalkboard. A dagger stabbed into his heart.
She reached out and took his hands again, still laughing.
"Very funny. I have been so nervous about everything lately. I haven't laughed like that in so long. God, I needed that. But really, how do you know me, Mr. King?"
He didn't even try to open his mouth to answer. He knew for the moment his voice had fled him. He glanced at her, then back at the ground.
She sat waiting, a slip of a smile still on her lips.
"Mr. King? Nathan?"
"I...I'm telling you the truth," his voice was barely a whisper. "You are my wife."
Her laughter wasn't nearly so cheerful this time. She shifted in her seat, now glancing around the room.
"Well, I don't seem to remember the wedding. Does this kind of approach get you a lot of dates?" she asked hopefully, but already knew that this wasn't just some pickup line. He did know who she was or at least seemed to.
"I don't even know where to begin," Nathan murmured, thankful that she hadn't run off immediately at his words.
"The beginning perhaps?"
"Today, earlier, back in Miami..."
"Back in Miami? You were in Miami?"
"Yes. I saw you in the airport. I couldn't believe it, but there you were. I tried to catch up to you, but..."
"You...you called my name at the gate, didn't you? I didn't imagine hearing that. That was you?"
Nathan nodded.
"Yes. You looked back and either didn't see me or...or," he stopped unable to finish.
"Didn't recognize you."
Again, Nathan nodded.
"That's because I don't."
She rose slowly, her eyes going a bit wider and darting around the area and then back at him.
"You weren't coming here, were you? You weren't coming to Chicago, to San Diego, were you? You...you followed me?"
"Yes, Paige, I did."
She took another step backwards, fumbling for the handle of the suitcase behind her.
Nathan raised his hands up in front of his chest, palms out.
"Wait, Paige, please wait. It's not what you think."
"Not what I think? You just admitted that you followed me here from Miami. You try and tell me that I am your wife. Not what I think? I don't even have a clue what I think, but I know that you are making me more than a little uncomfortable, Mr. King, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would simply leave me alone now. I don't want any trouble and I hope you don't either. There is plenty of security around here."
"Paige, please. Just one minute."
"Stop calling me that. Stop talking to me as if you know me."
"But I do," he insisted.
"I never thought I was the type of person who would attract a stalker."
"I am not a stalker," he whispered. "I am your husband."
"Do you have any idea how insane you sound? Leave me alone, Mr King, please."
"I can't. I love you. Paige, I always said that where you lead I would follow. I don't know how any of this is possible. I don't know what happened or why you left, but I think you owe me some type of explanation. I can't believe our time together was a lie, that everything that passed between us meant nothing. If you want me out of your life, if you think you would be happier, then I will give you that. I just think you owe me an explanation."
She looked into his pleading eyes, looked at the tears that ran freely down his face and was astonished to feel some of her own. His emotions, his absolute certainty was almost overwhelming.
"I do not know you. I am not who you think I am. Please, I can see you think you do. I can see you are in pain, but I can not help you." Her voice was no more than a whisper.