Page 53 of Viking Unchained

“I didn’t mean for you—”

“You must think I’m cra—”

But each time he soothed her, “Shhh! ” and kissed her gently into silence. He did recall her prayers, though. All she wanted was love.

Thorfinn had never been in love, and would not know how to be. He was, in fact, repelled by the notion.

But family . . . she wanted a family for her and her son.

Thorfinn’s heart ached at the possibility. A family! Was it possible at this late date?

There had to be a trade-off. What would it be? The gods . . . even the One-God . . . gave naught without exacting some payment; leastways, that had always been his experience. What would he need to give up? His heart? His need for vengeance? His return to the past? His very freedom?

Thorfinn felt as if he were knee-deep in quicksand, and he was not sure he wanted to be saved.

Hair today, gone today . . .

It was probably the biggest mistake of her life . . . taking Finn with her to her dance studio. It was an indication of his trust in her, so she felt the need to reciprocate.

Still, she’d made sure that Torolf and Hilda were gone when she went over to their apartment to pick up clean clothes for her Viking. And she’d double-checked her class rosters for the morning to ensure there would be none of the Magnusson clan around.

Despite her misgivings, she was having fun. Finn was a regular chatterbox today. Worse than Mike with his “Why? Why? Why?” questions.

“Why do women wear garments that expose their legs and bosoms if they are not harlots?”

“Why are all these people being led on leashes by their dogs?”

“Why do you need so many food marts in this country?”

“Why are there no forests?”

“Why do you moan when I touch the back of your knees?”

“Why do women here wear breast harnesses? Do their men not like jiggling flesh?”

“Why are some condoms called ticklers?”

“Why does that Scotsman need so many eating establishments? ” He was referring to McDonald’s, of course.

“Why have I seen not one horse whilst in this country?”

“Why do you rouge your lips when their natural rosy hue is so enticing?”

They arrived at her studio early, and she showed him around before any of her employees or customers would arrive. He seemed impressed, showing an interest in everything she said. “Do you earn a great amount of coin for these services?”

“Enough to support me and Mike. Although I’d never be able to afford a house on the beach, even a modest one like I have, if David hadn’t inherited some money from a great-aunt. The house passed to me on his death. Plus, I used the insurance money to buy the studio.”

He nodded, though she wasn’t sure if he understood everything she’d told him. There was something weird about Finn, but she wasn’t ready to accept that he might have actually time-traveled. For now, she chose to put him in the miracle category.

Leading him back to the lobby, she introduced him to her manager, Lisa Malone, who was clearly interested in the handsome man and what his relationship to the owner might be. Lydia ignored Lisa’s raised eyebrows and told Finn, “I need to teach two classes. Why don’t you wait for me here, or maybe you’d like to walk down by the water?”

He nodded.

She hesitated then, not sure if she should give him a kiss or not. If it were Dave, she certainly would have.

What the hell! she said to herself, walked up, stood on tiptoe, and gave him a fleeting kiss. “See you,”

she said.