The Gift (41 page)

He leaned up to kiss her. "I have come to rely on your love. It became my anchor. It was the one certainty I had, and it took me a long while to realize it."

"How long will it take for you to have complete faith in me?" she asked.

"I already have complete faith in you," he argued.

"Will you tell me all about your past?"

He looked a little wary now. "In time," he finally agreed.

"Tell me now."

He shook his head. "It would only upset you, sweetheart. I've led a rather black life. I've done a few things you might consider… worrisome. I think it would be better if I just tell you one story at a time."

"Then it is only out of consideration for my tender feelings that you hesitate to tell me about your past?"

He nodded.

"Were some of these things… illegal?"

Her husband looked highly uncomfortable. "Some would say they were," he admitted.

It took all she had not to laugh. "I'm happy you're so concerned about my feelings, husband, and now I know you only hesitate to tell me about your past because I might worry, and not because you think I might accidentally blurt out anything of significance."

The sparkle that came into her eyes puzzled him. She was up to something, but he couldn't imagine what it could be. He wrapped his arms around her waist and let out a loud, satisfied yawn. He closed his eyes. "I know you love me," he whispered. "And in time—say five or ten years, my love—I'll tell you everything. By then you should have become accustomed to me."

She did laugh then. He was still a little scared. Oh, she knew he trusted her, knew he loved her, but it was all so new for Nathan, and it was going to take him time to rid himself of all his shields.

She didn't have any such problems, of course. She'd loved him for the longest time.

Nathan blew out the candle and nuzzled his wife's ear. "I love you, Sara."

"I love you too, Pagan."