Page 75 of Truly, Madly Viking

"My brother Rolf advocated never asking for permission first. He said 'tis better to do the act, then apologize later, but he was probably talking about something involving sex."

Maggie wagged a forefinger with exasperation. "Don't try to change the subject on me. Give me your word that this won't happen again."

He gave her an amused, level stare, then agreed. "Whatever you say, dearling."

But Maggie wasn't fooled, not one bit.

Joe had other plans.

Joe had a job.

The takeover of the Rainbow Hospital by Medic-All had been finalized the week before. Thus far there were no visible changes in staff or policy, but Maggie knew they were sure to come after the New Year.

Whether she would stay or not depended on how the experimental programs she'd initiated were handled. If they went, she went. Unlike some employees, she was fortunate to have a sizable nest egg that would allow her to live for an extended period without a paycheck, if need be. She hoped it wouldn't come to that.

But the most surprising thing was that Jerome Johnson, president and CEO of Medic-All, had remembered Joe the Viking in a positive way. When he'd learned, last week, that Joe was no longer a patient, he had urged Rainbow to hire him to restructure its physical-fitness program. Apparently, when Jerome urged, everyone followed his wishes. So now Joe was about to start running the program three days a week, beginning today. And he was ordering everyone about as if he were a... well, a military leader.

"Why can't we give fencing lessons?" he was asking Harry in the Monday-afternoon staff meeting.

"Because this is a mental hospital, damnit," Harry snapped. "We don't give lethal weapons to patients.

And that's final." Her boss usually didn't lose his temper, but Joe had already demanded new rowing machines, a running track, and bowling balls, which he referred to as catapult balls, and bowling lanes, which he referred to as huffing tracks. Amazingly, Harry had agreed, having been given a slightly higher budget from Medic All for this purpose.

When the meeting was over, Harry gave her a meaningful glare, which she interpreted as, "Keep that man out of my way."

"Hurry up, Mag-he," Joe urged as they walked down the corridor. "We have to pick up Sue-zee and Beth after school soon. You know that I promised the girls we would go out in the woods and chop down a Christmas tree today."

She groaned, having forgotten. "I still say my artificial tree would serve just fine."

The expression on his face said the issue was settled.

"I don't suppose you will be angry if I tell you that I bought you a little gift." He spoke hesitantly as they approached the parking lot.

"Joe, I already told you that I disapprove of your selling your arm ring. And I certainly don't want you buying me stuff with that money. Furthermore—Oh, no!" Maggie gawked, practically bug-eyed, at the parking lot. "You didn't. Please tell me you didn't."

He smiled brightly at her. "How could we go yule-tree chopping with your piddling vehicle?"

He had.

Sitting next to her Volvo was a brand-new red pickup truck.

It was going to be the best Christmas ever.

Maggie was sitting beside Joe on the sofa in the den, where their newly decorated, wonderfully pungent, way-too-big Christmas tree held center stage, with the crackling fire in the new fireplace providing just the right ambience.

Of course, the windows were open to offset the heat. She couldn't stay mad at the brazen brute when he'd given her—and her girls—such wonderful gifts for the season. Just the shine in Suzy's and Beth's eyes when she'd tucked them in a few moments ago... well, it made up for all the aggravation Joe gave her. And he could be aggravating, no doubt about that.

"Thank you," she said.

"You are welcome," he answered, not even bothering to ask what for. Putting an arm across the back of the couch, he snagged her by the shoulders and pulled her into the cradle of his arm. Nuzzling her hair, with a soft murmur of, "Lilacs, mmmmm," he added, "I expect you will give me thanks with more than words... in time."

"In time," she emphasized. She didn't need to repeat to him her concern over Suzy and Beth.

She'd told him enough times in the past few weeks that she wouldn't engage in an affair in the same house with her daughters.

"I wonder if that time will ever come," he whispered against her ear.

She bristled and tried to pull away-not because of his words, but because of what he knew how to do with her oversensitive ears. Lordy, lordy, the man could set her afire with just a few breaths and some whispered words of wicked things he'd like to do with her.