“Is there a difference?”
“Absolutely. One is the start, and the second is the finish,” she explained, “as long as you understand that you’re both good to go. Personally I think there’s an awful lot to be said about having a partner who’s a very good friend to the point that you can finish each other’s sentences, that you have the same beliefs on each topic, so no arguments really,” she murmured. “I know a lot of people like to have relationships that are full of much more conflict. Somehow the conflict helps them keep their relationship alive, and that’s the way they want it. For me, that’s not what I want,” she declared. “I feel like all my military experience was enough conflict. I want peace now and to know that peace is possible, so I don’t live in another war zone, whether physically or emotionally. For some it’s the spice, and it’s the excitement. They want lively discussions and hard arguments. But I want to express my point of view and not have it argued. Debated? Yes, that’s fine, but I really don’t want that level of conflict anymore.”
“No,” Ryatt murmured. “I get it.” And long after Quinton was gone, he realized just how much he did get. Because Quinton was right. They had spent a lot of time in war-torn countries, dealing with some unimaginable horrors, and that was the last thing that he wanted in his personal life too.
Several days laterRyatt sat quietly by the pool, when Lana popped up beside him.
“Hey,” she said. “I was just walking down to Stan’s. What are you up to?”
“I just finished a workout in the pool,” he replied, “soresting,I guess is the better answer. I need to go up and get a shower and get changed, but that’s a long way away at the moment.”
She nodded, and her gaze was a little concerned but not too bad.
At least not enough that he felt that any pity was in it. “I’m fine.” He gave a wave of his hand.
“Good. Yet it was almost instinctive that I come here. So, when I saw you, I came running.”
“I’m fine,” he repeated, with a smile. “And it’s all good.”
“It just goes along with what I was saying about how we seem to know each other so well.”
“Well, we do and we don’t,” he stated, “and I’m okay with that. My sister pointed out how she spent an awful lot of time in war-torn countries—and I did too—dealing with strife and conflict, and I’m really good to not have any more of that in my world.”
“Oh, I understand that,” she agreed warmly. “And I guess then it’s a good thing that we understand each other. So it’s not as if we’re expecting anything different.”
“I guess it depends on whether you’re looking for fireworks,” he added quietly, “or if you’re looking for two people to sit on rocking chairs on a deck, holding hands as the years go by—peaceful, happy, content, challenging each other to grow and yet not overly worried about it being a competition.”
Her eyes glistened, as with tears. She nodded. “Now that sounds lovely.”
Just then she got a call from someone up on the deck of the dining room. “Oops, and there’s my call again.” She squeezed his fingers. “You look after yourself,” she murmured. “I’d hate if anything happened to you.” And, with that, she was gone.
Chapter 10
Lana kept workingthrough the rest of her workweek, her mind buzzing with thoughts and conflict and worries. Finally, toward the end of the day, she stopped in at Dani’s office. “You got a moment?”
Dani looked up and nodded. “Have a seat.”
Lana closed the door and frowned at Dani’s questioning look. “I just don’t want to be overheard,” she murmured.
“Problems?”
“Yes and no. And I’m not sure where I’m going with this.”
“So we’re talking about your love life, and we’re talking about Ryatt.”
“Everybody knows, don’t they?”
“Everybody can see the way the wind’s blowing,” Dani said cautiously, “but nobody can assume anything. That’s your life, your relationship. And I don’t know how serious you are.”
“Well, that’s the thing,” she said. “I thought we were serious. Then I thought we weren’t serious. I wasn’t trying to push him. I was trying to back off and to give him space. And he mentioned something, and then I responded with something, and, instead of getting clarity, I think we’re getting more confused.”
“Wow, all of that, huh?”
“Right? I know. It doesn’t make any sense because really I should just sit down and talk to him about it. And, if I can’t sit down and talk to him about it, then it doesn’t say much for whatever relationship we do or do not have,” she murmured.
“Yes, but the path to that final destination is not always the easiest. He seems to be doing really well, as far as working through problems.” Dani nodded.
“And I would agree with that. And he’s brought up several other really important issues.” And she mentioned what he’d said about growing old together.