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“Guessing that pretty lady from down the lane is helping.”
“Not sure about that.” Zane ran his hand over his neck. “It sure is testing me, though.”
“As all good things do.” Linc tipped back in his chair. “God isn’t going to give you the good stuff unless he or she is sure you can handle it.”
“For the record, war is a hell of a lot easier than love. And anyone who tells you differently is full of shit.”
“The fact that you used the L-word pretty much answers my next question.”
“I was speaking metaphorically.”
“You don’t have a figurative bone in your whole body, but I’m not gonna bust your chops too much. You go on and enjoy the fantasy that Olivia is just a distraction.” Linc ran his hand over his neck. “But when you’re done rolling around in your own bullshit, know that if you want a lover, then you gotta be a fighter.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Zane barked.
“Fight to do the right thing… in life, love, and the pursuit of whatever is formidable. Including vanquishing those memories, you like to lug around.” He smirked. “If you’re in hell right now—swing! Channel that heartache, soul-ache, and whatever other kinds of ache you got and fight for the right thing.” He tipped his chin. “You won’t forgive yourself otherwise. Don’t start bowing now.”
Zane plunked down his empty bottle. “And what made you think I was kneeling to anything?”
“Those heavy shoulders you got.”
The small dog whined. “I haven’t spent a day in your company in years. Yet here you are, laying down the truth like a damn preacher. You’re not prone to give people advice.” Zane ran his hand over the table. “You live hard, play harder, and ride odds that should never work out for anyone. What gives? You live by your own code and counsel and expect others to do the same.”
“All that is true, but I can see that you might benefit from my wise counsel.” Linc leaned forward. “You ever consider that what you’re feeling has been well earned?”
“Happiness?” Zane asked.
“Yeah!”
“Didn’t think I deserved something like that.” Zane rubbed his finger over the bottle in his hand.
“That’s about the dumbest thing I’ve heard you say because you have paid the piper and are due for some righteous blessings.” He shook his head. “The battlefield is where peace is won. Joy is on the other side of a skirmish. Conflict isn’t the opposite of joy; it’s the path to it—the road in.”
“But…”
Linc held up his hand. “Instead of calculating how many lives you didn’t bring home, count the ones you did.”
“Damn, when the hell did you become so freaking Zen?” Zane exclaimed. “Did you sneak off to an ashram while stationed in San Diego?”
“Don’t knock my mental health, man. It was a long-fought battle, and not one step was easy.” He pushed himself out of the chair. “So, tell me about your girl. Does she have any pretty sisters or friends?”
Zane leaned back. “She’s got both. Her older sister owns the bookstore in town, and her best friend has a yoga studio. She’s got a younger sister I haven’t met and about a hundred friends I can’t keep straight.”
“I saw a beautiful redhead in front of the bookstore on my way in. Is that a Bennett sister?”
“Yep. That’s Lucy, the town heartbreaker as far as I can tell.”
“She can break something on me.” Linc pulled two beers out of the fridge and returned to the table. “That woman is temptation. Pure and simple.” He flipped the caps off and sat down. “A goddamn piece of dark chocolate cake that no one can resist.”
Zane crossed his arms. “That’s a lot more adjectives than one pass should’ve provided.”
“I might’ve stopped and taken a moment to enjoy the scenery.”
Zane set the dog on the floor. “If you’re lucky, she might be at dinner tonight.”
“No shit,” Linc exclaimed, feeling an unexpected bubble of hope fill his chest. Maybe his goodwill trip would net some incredible blessings, especially if that too beautiful book lady was going to play a starring role.
TWO
