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THURSDAY SNIFFED around Varik’s backpack. “Whatever you have in there is making Thursday crazy.”
“It’s the makings for our long postponed celebration dinner date, just as we’d planned before my ex-wife threw a hammer into the job.” He angled his head as Delaney’s lips curved into a smile. “That’s not right, is it?”
“I think you mean she threw a wrench into the works.”
Varik swore an oath in Norwegian. “You see what you do to me? Just being in your presence has me backsliding with my English.” He rummaged through his backpack and pulled out two packages wrapped in butcher paper. “Ribs for you and me,” he placed the longer package on the coffee table, “and this,” he waved the smaller package, “is the steak I promised my best buddy, Thor’s Day.”
At the sound of his name, Thursday dropped his rubber chew toy, gluing himself to Varik’s side, sniffing the meat packages and licking his muzzle. Varik clapped the dog’s flanks. Another reach into his bag provided a small bottle of beer and a bottle of sparkling wine. “Your promised beer,” he nodded at the dog, “and our champagne,” he held the bottle aloft, smiling at Delaney.
Cupping his hand at the side of his mouth, Varik whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll water down his beer.” His laughter filled the room.
“You didn’t bring all this on the plane, did you?”
“No, it’s from...” Varik drew a brown paper grocery bag from his backpack, turning the lettering toward him. “Glass Ball Market,” he read aloud. “The grocer on Ocean Charm Boulevard. The butcher and his customers wanted to know if I was related to Bekka because of my accent. I told them I was here to see you.”
“That’s where I do my grocery shopping. By now I’ll bet everyone in Glassfloat Bay knows you’re here to see me. That’s what happens in a small town.”
“I know. I come from a small town, remember? We’ll have to give them many reasons to talk about us.” Varik winked before planting a kiss on her lips. “The ribs will take at least an hour so I’d better get them on now.” He brought everything into the kitchen.
“I’ve got a refrigerator full of salads and side dishes from visitors welcoming me to town, I’ll get some out.” Delaney followed behind him.
“You,” he turned, pointing at her, “just sit and relax. This is my treat. I’ll go through what’s in the refrigerator.”
“Can’t I do something to help?”
“Yes. You’ll find another bottle in my backpack.”
Delaney read the label on the bottle of clear liquid she drew out. “Aquavit. I’ve never had this.”
“I wasn’t sure I could find it here so I brought it on the plane with me. It’s Norwegian liquor with caraway, fennel, anise, cardamom, and citrus peel.”
Delaney wrinkled her nose. “It sounds like rye bread in a glass.”
“It tastes better than it sounds,” Varik assured. “Pour us a couple of small glasses to have while we’re waiting for dinner. It’s perfect for a toast.”
“Oh?” Delaney’s ear perked. “What are we toasting?”
“Too many questions.” His teasing smile was just as charming as he was. Once he had the ribs and potatoes roasting, Varik rejoined Delaney in the living room.
Sitting next to her, he spread his fingers, displaying his ring with the heartwish stone. “I used this to make my heartwish. Grandpa Anders left it to me in his will with a letter of explanation, cautioning me to make the right wish because it only works once for each owner.”
Varik tipped her chin up. “My heartwish was the most important thing I could think to wish for.” His smile was warm and loving. “A wish that would bring the smile back to a deserving woman at a very sad time.”
Tears sprang to Delaney’s eyes. “Thursday,” she whispered, throwing her arms around Varik’s neck. “Oh, Varik, you used your special heartwish so I wouldn’t lose my dog.”
“I’m not sure I even realized yet that I was in love with you but when I saw you so heartbroken, I had no doubt whatsoever that the time was right.” He clapped his chest. “My heart spoke to me then and I knew.”
“You’ll never know how much that means to me.”
“I think I do.” His kiss was sweet and gentle.
“I remember seeing the kitchen fill with blue light when you took Thursday in there to talk to him. So that’s why.”
“It was unsettling to say the least,” Varik said.
“The same glow happened when I made my heartwish. The inside of the taxi illuminated, scaring the devil out of the poor cab driver.” Delaney held her hand aloft, gazing at her ring.
“When was that?”
“On the way to the airport the day I flew here to Oregon. I wished for love and happiness always for you and your family, for my mom, sisters and brothers, and for Roger, Karen and their baby.”
“Even though you thought I had lied to you? And after all Roger did to you?”
Delaney clasped his hand. “I realized there were many more positives than negatives from those experiences. If Roger hadn’t left me, I never would have pulled you in off the street and jumped your bones.”
“Best bone jumping of my life.” Varik’s smile reached his eyes.
“And even though I thought you and Ursula were married with a baby on the way, I was thankful for the magical time I’d spent with you, the Viking I’d waited for my entire life. It was important to me that my heartwish be one of love and gratitude.”
“Sweet, loving and unselfish.” Gazing at her as if he cherished her completely, Varik stroked the contours of Delaney’s face with his thumb. “Is it any wonder why I can’t imagine my life without you?”
He remained silent for a long moment as he studied the rings on their fingers. “Remember the day we met, when we realized our rings looked like opposite sides of the same stone?”
Delaney focused her gaze, comparing their rings. “As if Odin had broken the stone in two,” she said. “Like the ancient legend.” Tearing her gaze from the rings, she looked into Varik’s eyes. “Do you think it could possibly be true?” With the magic that had come into her life today, Delaney could no longer deny the possibility.
“As far as I’m concerned, it’s a pure case of Viking magic.”
The instant Varik had spoken the words, an arc of electricity passed between the stones. The long blue curve of light was gone as quickly as it came.
“Please tell me you saw that,” Delaney whispered.
Varik looked as dazed as she felt. “Any doubts I’ve ever had about the validity of the stones has just been put to rest.” He slid from the sofa to the floor, getting down on one knee before her. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a ring box, opening it and presenting it to her, eliciting a stunned intake of breath from Delaney. A silver ring with an oval black onyx stone surrounded by tiny diamonds sat nestled inside.
One glance at the stunning ring told her Varik must have consulted her mother about the sort of ring Delaney might like because it was exactly what she would have described.
She clutched her chest, uncertain if she could take even one molecule more of bliss this day before disintegrating into a pool of unadulterated joy.
Taking the ring from the box, he held it at the tip of Delaney’s ring finger, gazing up at her with a hopeful smile. “Delaney, my truest heartwish,” he began, his striking blue eyes locked on hers. “Will you marry me?”
“Oh Varik...” She lingered for a moment, savoring his life-altering words. “Yes. Yes, of course I’ll marry you.” He slid the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. Happy tears blurred her vision as she gazed at her hand.
“When you made your heartwish,” Varik told her, “unselfishly asking for happiness for me and my family, you were unknowingly making the wish for yourself because you, my lovely fiancée, will soon be my family.” He wiped away the tears on her cheek with his thumb and they embraced.
Once their kiss ended, Varik held his glass of aquavit aloft. “And now you know why we’re toasting.”
“Best reason ever.” Raising her glass, Delaney doubted her smile could grow any wider.
“To us,” Varik said. “Viking magic has brought us together. May it forever keep our love strong as we enjoy a long and happy life together.”
“And may the magic of our heartwish rings never fade,” Delaney added as they clinked glasses. She licked the taste of the unusual liqueur from her lips. “What a day full of wonderful surprises. My mind is spinning.”
“Much better than the unhappy surprises we had with Roger and Ursula.” Holding the bottle over her glass, he asked, “Like the aquavit?”
Delaney cocked her head, deciding. “I think so. I can taste the caraway seeds. I’ll have a little more.” He poured before adding to his own glass. “I’ve thought of another perfect toast,” she said. “To the end of unhappy surprises. As in, no more ex-husbands or wives showing up on our doorstep. Ever.” She raised her glass and they clinked.
“I’ll drink to that,” Varik readily agreed.
The doorbell rang as they were about to sip, leaving them both wide-eyed with mouths agape.
“No...” they chorused.
“Varik...” Delaney clutched him. “You don’t think...?”
“There’s only one way to find out.” Grim-faced, he headed to the door, yanking it open. “Ah, Mrs. Schmidt! How nice to see you again.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Delaney joined Varik at the front door to see the apple-cheeked woman bearing food gifts.
“Mrs. Schmidt and I met earlier today at the butcher counter,” Varik told Delaney.
“When I learned you were having company, dear,” Miriam Schmidt said to Delaney, “I thought I’d stop by with one of my apple strudels for you. Just baked it this morning.” She craned her neck to peer inside while Delaney took the container the woman offered. It was covered by a colorful knitted cozy. “I know you’re having ribs and you know how well apples pair with pork.”
“How very thoughtful of you, Mrs. Schmidt. And what a nice job you did with this cozy.” Turning to Varik, she explained, “Mrs. Schmidt and I are in the same knitting class. This will be perfect with coffee later,” she told the woman, suspecting Mrs. Schmidt would be meeting with her cronies after leaving to make a detailed report.
“That’s for you to keep, dear.” The woman patted the cozy. “So, son, how long are you staying in Glassfloat Bay?”
Delaney thought it was adorable the way Mrs. Schmidt batted her eyelashes at Varik. She noticed a pink tinge to her cheeks too. Varik and Delaney exchanged amused smiles.
“Permanently.” Wrapping his arm around Delaney’s shoulder, Varik drew her close to his side, boasting a proud smile. “Delaney has just agreed to marry me...and you’re the first to know, Mrs. Schmidt.”
“Oh...oh!” She clapped her cheeks. “How wonderful!” Mrs. Schmidt’s wide-eyed, enthusiastic expression told Delaney the woman was thrilled to get such a scoop. “Congratulations! I hope we’ll be reading all about this in the Glassfloat Bay Register. We’re all so excited to have you working for the paper.”
In answer to Varik’s quizzical look, Delaney said, “I haven’t had a chance to tell you about my new job yet.” She patted his arm. “I’ll tell you later.”
“She’s our very own Erma Bombeck,” Mrs. Schmidt said with a giggle. “Well, it’s time for me to be off. I’m meeting the girls for cocoa at the café. They’ll be so excited to hear your happy news. Come here you two.” She gestured with her fingers, inviting them to bend down for a kiss. They both got a big, congratulatory smooch on the cheek.
Delaney and Varik breathed audible sighs of relief as they closed the door, then laughed as they spotted the red lip imprints stamped on each other’s cheeks.
Sniffing the plate Delaney held, Varik grimaced. “All I can smell is her flowery perfume.”
“She tends to have a heavy hand with it. I think she might have sprayed it on the cozy too. Whew!” Waving her hand, Delaney chuckled. “She’s a good cook though. This will be perfect for dessert.”
“No...better for a late night snack,” Varik suggested. “I have something entirely different in mind for dessert.” His devilish expression left no doubt as to his meaning.
Heading for the kitchen, Delaney felt like she was walking on air.
“I do have one more surprise,” he said, following her. “This one is about your mother.”
Stopping mid-step, Delaney shifted into concerned daughter mode. “Please tell me it’s good news.”
“No, I wouldn’t call it good.” When he paused Delaney’s heart did too. “It’s excellent news.”
Delaney let out the breath she’d been holding while Varik took the dish of apple strudel from her hands and set it on the kitchen counter. He opened his mouth to speak, then scrunched his face, sniffing the air. “I smell pepperkaker.” He gave Delaney an odd look. “Do you have cookies in the oven?”
The ginger cookie fragrance permeated the kitchen, mixing pleasantly with the aroma of roasting pork. “If I did they’d be burned to a crisp by now. No, it’s...well...you see, Varik...” Sucking in a deep breath and letting it out with a whoosh, she figured he may as well hear the truth. “It’s Grandma Bekka.”
Varik’s eyes bugged. “But I thought you said she—”
“She did. Pass on, I mean.” Resting her hand on his arm, Delaney smiled. “It’s Grandma Bekka’s ghost.”
“What?!” He looked at her like she’d lost her marbles.
“The house is haunted. Just a teensy bit.” She gestured with her fingers. “It’s a friendly ghost. Nothing to worry about. I think she’s just trying to tell us that she’s happy about our engagement.”
“Friendly ghost. Like Casper in the cartoon?”
“No, silly.” She offered a reassuring smile that didn’t seem to work. “I like to think of her presence more like a guardian angel than a ghost.” She wasn’t at all surprised by Varik’s skeptical expression. “You don’t have to worry. She’s never intrusive on private times if that’s what you’re concerned about.”
“Delaney...” It was like the tone of teacher to child, a combination of caution and disappointment. He gave her that disbelieving look again.
“I know it sounds a little crazy but, trust me, it’s true.” She cleared her throat. “Um...you were about to tell me something about my mom?” Repositioning the apple strudel at a far end of the kitchen to dispel some of the perfume, which didn’t blend well with either the pork or the cookie fragrances, she smiled up at him, doing her best to look innocent...and sane.
With one eyebrow hiked high, he studied her for a long moment, shaking his head. “We’ll get back to this ghost business later,” he said, folding his arms across his chest. Delaney happily nodded.
“Anyway, the day I took Astrid shopping with me for your ring, we stopped for lunch at a little French bistro near the university. Earlier I’d asked Tore to meet me there for lunch, without mentioning your mom would be joining us. Ready for this?”
Delaney couldn’t imagine where this was leading. “What? What!”
“Sparks flew when they met, Delaney. Sparks!”
“My mom and Tore?” Delaney’s jaw dropped. “No...really?”
Varik nodded. “I had a feeling they’d hit it off. You should have seen the two of them together. They were jabbering away,” he made the motion with his fingers, “as if they’d known each other for years. After a few minutes they didn’t even know I was still at the table...so I finally left.” He laughed. “Since that lunch meeting they’ve been inseparable.”
Stunned, Delaney sat speechless for a moment. “Mom never said a thing to me,” she said finally. “How could she not tell me something so important?”
“Astrid didn’t want you to know she and I had become friendly. It might have made you suspicious and spoiled our secret. We wanted my arrival to be a complete surprise. She told me it was killing her not to tell you about her and Tore.”
“I can imagine. The three of you all schemed together. You little devils!” She tried for an angry expression but couldn’t pull it off. “So the man I’m going to marry is not only a genius, he’s a matchmaker too.”
Blowing on his fingernails, Varik polished them against his sweater. “Apparently so.”
Framing his face with her hands, she kissed him. “Thank you so much for thinking of bringing my mom and Tore together.”
“Tore’s like a brother to me. This makes me just as happy for him as you are for your mother. He’s making a trip to Oslo over the summer to facilitate a graduate class at the university and has asked your mom to go with him.”
“Wow...”
“They’ll stay at the cabin in Lillehammer that Bekka left to your family. At the end of summer they’re both moving here to Glassfloat Bay. Tore’s already lined up a teaching position at the university for himself.”
Delaney was floored. Her smile felt so wide she feared her face might crack. “That means my heartwish for my mom came true too.” Crossing her hands over her chest, she hugged herself. “Oh Varik, I’ve wanted so much for my mom to find someone to love again. I worried it would never happen.”
“She’s a good woman, and Tore’s a good man.” He pulled a small envelope from his jeans pocket, opening it and drawing something out. “These will make you smile.” He handed her four photos. “Astrid had me take these with her camera.”
Delaney chuckled. “Mom’s never without her Kodak.” She studied the photos of her mom and a handsome man, looking for all the world like they were a couple of teens on a fun date. “So that’s Tore? I had no idea your cousin was so handsome. And look at my mom laughing. She looks so young! I can’t remember the last time she’s looked that happy.” Close to erupting into tears of joy, Delaney didn’t know if she was happier for herself or for her mom.
“Love is ageless,” Varik acknowledged.
When the reality of the situation hit her, Delaney’s approaching tears transformed into laughter. “So my mother is flitting off to Norway to shack up with a guy she just met two months ago, huh? Just wait until I get Mom on the phone tomorrow.”
“She’ll be so happy she can finally talk to you about it.”
Contemplative, Delaney twisted her heartwish ring. “You believe in the magic of our rings, right?”
“Do you even have to ask, especially after what we witnessed together?”
“Interesting.” She trailed her fingers along the inside seam of his jeans.
“I can almost see the little gears inside your head turning.” He twisted a finger at her temple. “What does interesting mean?”
“Well,” her shrug was casual, “I was just thinking that a man who believes in magic should have no trouble believing in friendly ghosts.” She chanced a glance up at him and caught his knowing smile.
“I figured you were going there. If you claim Bekka’s ghost is here then I believe you.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
Her thoughts still wandering, Delaney nibbled her bottom lip. “Varik, you’ve made me the happiest woman on earth but...”
“But?” His expression took on a scowl. “I don’t like the sound of that...”
Delaney took him by the hand, leading him to the oversized chair, and she sat on the ottoman. She worried her news would be a major disappointment. She remembered her mother telling her how disappointed Varik said he was when Ursula had a hysterectomy and kept it from him.
“What is it, Delaney?” He leaned forward, rubbing her back. “What’s made you look so sad?”
“You want children, right?”
Varik pulled her from the ottoman onto his lap, enveloping her in his arms. “You’re worried I don’t want them? I love children. I want as many as you’d like to have, starting with a little girl as beautiful as her mama.” He planted a kiss on her cheek. “I can’t wait to be a papa to our babies. And then a grandpa so I can start smoking Grandpa Anders’ pipe.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears as her heart broke all over again. She’d never be able to give the man she loved one of the most important things he wanted.
“What’s wrong?” He brushed the tears from her cheek with his fingers. “Why are you sad on such a happy day?”
“I’m not able to have children.” She looked down at her lap, not wanting to see the disappointment in Varik’s eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.” He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it, then lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes. “It’s all right, Delaney. You’ll always be my love, whether we have children or not.”
“You always know the right thing to say, whether your English is broken or perfect.” Delaney caressed his face.
“Why can’t you have children?”
“I had my tubes tied,” she said on a regretful sigh. “I foolishly listened to Roger who convinced me children were a bother and would stall his career. He said the responsibility would be like an anchor around his neck for the rest of his life.”
“But Karen...” Varik’s hands formed a generous sphere over his flat belly.
“I know...what can I say?” She gave a resigned shrug. “I guess Karen is more persuasive that I was.”
A frown marring his handsome features, he said, “What kind of man insists that his wife have surgery, then turns around and gets another woman pregnant?”
“A man like Roger. It’s not all his fault. I could have said no.” She remembered how naïve and trusting she’d been. “The doctor was his close friend and colleague. They convinced me getting my tubes tied was the wisest decision. Condoms could tear and the pill’s side effects were dangerous. At the time, I thought Roger and I would be married forever.”
She felt her chin tremble and willed herself not to cry. “It was devastating. I’d always wanted to have children. A little girl. I’d call her Rebekka, after my grandmother.” A single tear rolled down her cheek. “Little Becky...”
Pulling Delaney close, he hugged her so tight he nearly robbed her of breath. “My poor Delaney. I’m sorry this happened.” He rocked her silently.
Delaney absently traced the outline of the engagement ring on her finger. “You should be with a woman who can give you children, Varik.”
Holding her at arm’s length, his expression was incredulous. “How can you even think such a thing? I love you.” He kissed her soundly, then looked off into the distance for a moment, ire coloring his gaze. “That selfish bastard. If Roger was here I swear I’d make sure with one swift punch that he’d never father another child.”
“Oh no, please don’t say that.” Delaney’s hand flew to his arm. “It’s over now, Varik. It’s in the past and, while I don’t want to see Roger again, I’ve forgiven him in my heart.”
One of Varik’s eyebrows arrowed high. “In our relationship,” he gestured between them, “it will be your job to be the kind, sympathetic one. I will never forgive what Roger did to you. And,” his finger poked the air, “I will never forgive what my ex-wife did to tear us apart.”
Delaney opened her mouth and Varik moved his finger to rest over her lips. “I know what you’re going to say. I don’t want to hear about how I should feel sorry for Ursula or forgive her. Package closed.”
“Case closed.” Delaney smiled.
“Right.” Varik gave a resolute nod. “All of it—closed.” He gave her a sideways glance. “We can always adopt. What do you think?”
His encouraging smile warmed her heart. “I’d like that very much.”
He gave her a hungry look. “Forventning.”
Delaney slanted her head. “For what?”
“Forventning. In English the word is anticipation. In any language the definition means how I feel about getting you naked.”
“Mmm...nice segue.” The sensation of liquid warmth flowing through her caught Delaney’s attention.
He looked as puzzled as she was a moment ago. “Seg...?”
“Smooth transition from one topic to the next,” Delaney clarified. “I’m awfully glad you brought your Viking costume.” She snaked her hand beneath his sweater, exploring his chest.
“I brought it along in case you refused my proposal.” Varik gave her a knowing look.
Delaney lifted an eyebrow in question.
“I knew once I slipped into those reindeer hides you wouldn’t be able to resist me. Just like that,” he snapped his fingers, “your hands would be all over my mannlig kjonnsorgan.” His gaze fell to his crotch.
She burst out laughing at his unexpected answer. “And the helmet.” Her fingers walked up from his chest to the top of his head. “You definitely have to wear the helmet,” she informed him.
“I hope you have your Mrs. Julenissen outfit,” he whispered against her mouth. “I want to watch the bottom make that slow glide down your legs again.”
“Sorry. That went straight into the trash. It wasn’t even good enough to donate.” Delaney laughed, remembering the ancient crumbling elastic. “Luckily I do have one of Grandma Bekka’s billowy, floor length flannel nightgowns though. I hope it turns you on.”
“We’ll leave that for another night...when we’re old and gray and eating our buckets of chocolate.” Varik positioned Delaney back on the ottoman and got up to get his seemingly bottomless backpack. He pulled out a shirt-sized box, handing it to Delaney. “This is for tonight.”
She opened the box to find a sexy red teddy. “Varik...it’s gorgeous. So pretty and feminine.”
“I love you in red,” he said, drawing her tight to his chest. “And out of it too.”