Page 148 of The Outlaw Viking

“Do you doubt my ability?”

“Never,” she laughed. “It’s my ability to care for so many children that I doubt.”

He waved a hand airily. “I will help you.”

Rain made a scoffing sound.

“And I promise that every morning you will awaken with a smile on your face.”

“You are outrageous.”

“I know. ’Tis one of the wonderful things about me.”

“Selik, you have a way of making me smile even when I’m so mad at you that I could spit.”

He beamed. “’Tis another wonderful asset of mine.”

“Would you like me to read the rest for you?” he asked, smiling at her with such open adoration that Rain felt blessed. “I think you will like this part. It says you may stick needles in me if you want…”

She laughed.

“…and I promise to never embark on any act of deliberate revenge or violence without my wife’s consent. Even when it involves my own beloved wife and children.”

Rain put a palm to her chest in dismay. She was sinking fast, and Selik was her only anchor.

His face turned suddenly somber then, and he knelt on one knee to bring himself eye-level with her. “Will you marry me, Rain?”

The music in her head turned into a full-blown orchestra.

“Yes,” she said softly, taking his face between her hands and kissing him gently.

At first, Selik was not sure he had heard Rain right. He stared at her, stunned. But then her single word sank in, and he let out a whoop of delight, “Thank God!”

You’re welcome.

“Oh, dearling, I have been trying so hard to please you. I truly am trying to change. But still I was fearful you would never give in. ’Tis about time.”

You can say that again.

Later that night, after the most wonderful wedding in history, Rain lay in bed in her new home with her new husband. She didn’t think she could be any happier.

“Are you sure you can be content staying in the past, sweetling? Will you not miss your mother?” Selik asked, leaning up on an elbow to gaze down at her.

“Believe me, my mother will understand.”

“And your hospital? Someday you may regret the lack of more advanced medicines and tools.”

Rain shook her head. Her heart filled almost to overflowing at the mere thought that this wonderful, handsome, outrageous man was her husband. How could he think she’d want anything more? “I can do a great deal of good here in the clinic you built for me. We both can.”

“I worry that you will be sorry someday.”

“Selik, I love you. As long as I have you, I’ll never be sorry.”

“I love you, too, dearling,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck and then lower, and still lower. He chuckled and raised his head suddenly. “I forgot to show you your bride gift.”

“Selik, you have already built me a house and a clinic. I think that’s more than enough.”

“Yea, but this is more…personal. Since you were so gracious to mention the G-Spot to me when we first met, I am going to introduce you to the famous Viking S-Spot.” He tickled her in a very sensitive spot for emphasis.

“I don’t believe there is such a thing.”

“Hah! Woe to the unbelievers!” he said, quoting the infernal voice, which had disappeared once Rain agreed to be his wife. He ducked his head, laughing. “The tricky thing about the S-Spot is that it can only be found with the tongue.”

Rain gasped. “Oh…oh, I think you’ve found it.”

And she soon became a believer.

And the god-spirit looked down and was pleased.