The Ocean Between Us by Susan Wiggs

enemy.
    “I’m not a traitor,” she said. “This is not some wacko idea I’ve had. And I’m not talking about a part-time clerical job on base somewhere. It finally hit me today. There’s something I’m good at, and I could actually make a career out of it. I’m going to be an executive relocator.”
    “A what?”
    “Executive relocator—someone who helps people move. In the civilian world that’s worth something.”
    “It sounds sketchy to me.”
    “Don’t you dare be condescending.”
    “I’m being practical. Setting yourself up for business is a long-term proposition.”
    “These days a business can be run almost entirely from the Web.” She sat on the edge of the bed and hugged her knees up to her chest. “I don’t need a physical location, just a virtual presence on the Web, a voice on the phone. I’ve been doing it for years as an ombudsman, anyway.”
    “I know that, Grace. You have incredible talent. Hell, I’ve seen you juggle schedules and plan a move like an air traffic controller. I’ve seen you find schools for kids with special needs, boarding kennels for dogs and parrots and drug rehab for more personnelthan I care to remember. The families of the air wing need you. You’re too damned busy for a regular job.”
    “Will you listen to yourself?” she said, incredulous.
    “Grace, honey, I don’t want you to have to work for a living. That’s my job. I want you to be here for the kids.”
    “While you were out they grew up, Steve. They don’t need me home twenty-four hours a day anymore.”
    “Maybe I need you there, Grace. Did you ever think of that?”
    “My God, no. I can honestly say I never did. It’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”
    He pulled on a pair of boxer shorts and paced the room. He always got restless when something was bugging him.
    She found herself staring at his chest. Between his perfectly sculpted pecs nestled a St. Christopher medal he never took off. She’d once asked him where it came from. He said someone gave it to him just before he went to sea for the first time. Now the dark hair on his chest was sprigged in gray, which she found unaccountably sexy. Why was it that he seemed to become more attractive as he aged, while she just seemed to turn soft and faded? It wasn’t fair. He didn’t need his looks. He had everything else.
    “It’s not that we can’t afford it,” he said. “We can, if we’re careful. But years ago, we agreed that owning a house doesn’t fit our lifestyle. When I retire, we’ll go anywhere you want. That was always the plan.”
    “Plans can change.” Once upon a time, she had agreed with him about the burden of a house, given their way of life. But once upon a time was long ago.
    “When did you change the rules on us?” She tried to answer, but he cut her off. “A house is a burden. A financial hemorrhage. What’s the point of buying a place when we’re moving in a few years?”
    “What’s the point? How about our future? How about doing something for us instead of the Navy for a change?”
    “I thought you were on board with our long-term plans. You’ve raised the three best kids in the world. I’m riding high in the Navy. What can a career for you add to that?”
    “I can’t believe you just asked me that.”
    “I can’t believe what you’re asking of me.” He opened a dresser drawer and started rummaging around. “Why now? Why this house?”
    “There’s something about it, Steve. It’s special. At least come and see it with me.”
    “It’s pointless, Grace. A waste of time.”
    “I don’t need your permission to buy a house,” she said.
    His back stiffened. “You wouldn’t do that.”
    She had no idea whether she would or not. He seemed a lot more sure of her than she herself was.
    “We both agreed that we wouldn’t get a permanent house of our own until I retire,” he repeated.
    “So retire, and we’ll buy the house.”
    “Very funny, Grace.”
    “Maybe I wasn’t