Page 108 of Truly, Madly Viking

"Yea, Beth told me you can find anyone on the Enter-net. And we did."

"I don't understand."

"The newspaper photographs of Steve at that warrior's wall apparently traveled across the country on some wiring service, whatever that is," he explained.

"Shelley saw the picture in a newspaper in I-duh-hoe and has been trying to find Steve ever since. A fruitless search. She ne'er thought to look in a madhouse... I mean, mental-health facility. In any case, Beth and Sue-zee helped me phone Shelley in I-duh-hoe after we found her message on the Enter-net."

It took several minutes for everything he'd said to sink in. "Why, that little stinker! She kept a secret from her mother."

"Do not be angry with her. She I feared you would raise objections to my interfering in Steve's life that way."

"I would have."

"Yea, but look how well everything turned out."

"It did. I can't deny that," Maggie conceded, "but as a psychologist, I must say shock therapy is not standard procedure. By taking all the control safeguards out of the scenario—like having a private setting, removing the surprise element, asking for permission—this could just as easily have been a disaster."

Joe groaned. "We are back to the control thing again, are we not?"

She had to laugh. "Maybe you're right. Anyhow, everything worked out fine, but would you do me a favor? Consult me first in the future."

He nodded vigorously, which meant he would do whatever he damn well pleased, as always. "You look beautiful tonight, dearling," Joe observed then. He had a habit of changing the subject without warning, but sometimes in the most pleasant ways.

"You look pretty handsome yourself, fellow."

"Are you wearing undergarments under that skimpy apparel?"

"Skimpy? You picked it out."

"Yea, I did." He smiled at her, that slow, lazy smile that she loved.

"No, I'm not."

"Good thing that Sue-zee and Beth are staying with the sitting person tonight, then."

Maggie thought it was a good thing, too. It had been a week since she'd made love with Joe, and she needed that intimacy so much. Without the reinforcement of their loving, she feared that Joe would drift away from her. An irrational concern, she supposed, but when was love rational?

"How did you find out about Steve's son, by the way?"

"I did not know till I called Shelley on the telephone."

"How could Steve have a son when he's always claimed to be impotent?"

"Ah, but remember that he said it has been ten years since he last made love. Apparently 'twas a dismal effort on his part, which was what caused his abrupt departure. But 'twas not dismal enough that it did not result in his seed being planted in his wife's body."

She nodded. "Oh, look. It's almost Natalie's turn. I hope they come back soon."

Steve and his newfound family were off in a private dining area, reacquainting themselves with each other. Natalie had just stepped onto the stage when they slipped into the empty seats. They seemed ecstatically happy. Steve's fingers were laced with Shelley's and his eyes kept going to his son.

Natalie was the eleventh of twelve performers scheduled. To say she was nervous was an understatement. All evening she had been going outside with her mother to get fresh air. Maggie only hoped she wasn't having agoraphobic attacks, as well as good old-fashioned stage fright.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our next contestant is Miss Natalie Blue," the announcer said in a deep Texas drawl. "She wanted me to tell y'all that this song is dedicated to the folks at Rainbow... but especially to the Viking who's responsible for her being here. Don't know what that means, but let's give a big Texas welcome to this sweet thing from Galveston... Miss Natalie Blue."

The stage went dark, and then a single spotlight shone on the young woman standing alone. Natalie looked so pretty in tight black denim jeans with a dress-up cowgirl shirt decorated with fancy fringe. The only problem was that she appeared to be shaking in her boots.

The backup band gave a slight strumming sound of chords... her cue to begin.

Maggie held her breath. Would Natalie freeze, or bolt? It was an excruciating test to put anyone through, but especially someone with her background. Were they expecting too much of her?