when did you have that earthshaking realization? The news media are going to want to know."
"You know, you've got a sharp tongue when you want to use it."
Those words struck deep. Her father had said pretty much the same thing the last time they'd attempted to talk. "So I've been told. Getting back to telling you how wonderful you are - "
"Don't let me stop you. It doesn't happen all that often."
She ignored his smile. It was messing up her concentration. "I believe you're loyal and supportive once you've committed yourself. You don't always understand women very well, but a wife could help you there."
"If she could put up with my not understanding her long enough to help me understand her."
"If you found this paragon, what would she have to do to fit into your life?"
"She'd have to love my daughter and her baby as much as she loved me. She'd have to become an integral part of our family. That wouldn't be easy."
"It's being done every day."
"And then there's my career."
Kathryn had been waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"I love my work, and I'm good at it. I wouldn't be happy sitting around living on my money. I have to be doing something I enjoy and feel is important. Any woman who wanted to join my family would have to be a part of that, too."
Kathryn felt the bottom drop out of her hopes. She couldn't live with a man who valued his career over his family. And to be a successful negotiator on an international basis, Ron's family would have to come second.
"I don't know what I want to do," Ron said, "but if we managed to salvage the Geneva negotiations, I'll hand that part of the business over to Ben and Ted. I really can't do the kind work I expect of myself when I'm no longer willing to stay on the job until it gets done."
Kathryn tried to keep her hopes from soaring too quickly.
"I want to spend more time in Charlotte," Ron said. "Or at least close enough I can come home often. I don't ever again intend to lose sight of the needs of my family."
"Have you any idea what you'd like to do?"
"Not yet, but I've already had a few people asking if I'm going to be in Charlotte more in the future."
"Are you doing this because of what I said?"
It was stupid to be worried about that, but after telling him he should devote more time to his family, she was feeling guilty something she said could have caused him to make this decision. What if he failed? She didn't want to feel responsible for Ron's decision in case it didn't work out.
"Yes, and no, but mostly no."
Now she felt slightly irked. Why did being involved with Ron cause her to behave so unlike herself?
"Cynthia's getting into trouble jolted me out of my old rut, but you jerked the chain that made me stop and think. Without you, I'd probably have ended up shouting and making things even worse. You were a protective barrier between me and Cynthia until I could get over my shock and anger enough to see shock and anger weren't going to help the situation. You also pointed me in the right direction. I probably would have gone off looking for the boy instead of turning the spotlight on myself. But once I cooled down, once I understood the issues and what was at stake, I knew what I had to do. What I wanted to do."
She felt better. She was glad she had been able to help, but she was even more pleased Ron had been able to see the problems and make the right decisions on his own.
"Does that answer your question?" he asked.
The plane had leveled off, but the pilot hadn't yet said they could unstrap themselves from the seats.
"Yes."
"Does it fit close enough for you to want to see if this relationship can go further?"
"I'd like that."
Ron unbuckled himself and got out of his seat. He unbuckled Kathryn and pulled her to her feet. He pulled her close to him and put his arms around her. "I don't have to prepare for a meeting. Want to watch one of those movies you bought?"
She'd bought Emma and Bridget Jones's Diary. "Are you sure you can stand a chick flick?"
Just then the plane banked and began a turn. Kathryn fell against Ron, who had to grab hold of the seat to keep both of them