Page 126 of Hot & Heavy

He shook his head and grinned. "Honey, do you even know what a vibrator is?"

"Nay, but you can show me. Can't you?"

"Absolutely. Hey, I've gotta go. There's a guy behind me who wants to use the phone. One last thing.

There's a secret I've been keeping from you. I need to tell you when I get back."

"I have a secret, too. I have been afraid to tell you about it. It's… it's a big one."

She probably wants to tell me that Luke sold the jewels for her. I already know that. "It can't be any bigger than mine."

"I would not wager on that."

Chapter Eighteen

When in doubt, go shopping…

One day at a time, that was Madrene's new credo.

She could not continue to contemplate the complexity of time-travel and whether she had or had not, lest she go mad. She had no idea what her future held, either here or with Ian. She had no idea if she should go back to Norstead with Torolf or not.

And so she had chosen to live for the moment, not thinking about the future, which was contrary to the way she always used to live. Everything had a plan then. Her life was organized and well thought out.

And look where that got me.

Now the only thing she could say for certain was that she loved Ian. She knew that without a doubt.

But what will he think when I tell him about the time-travel? Will he still love me then?

She had no answer.

Initially her father had balked at bringing her back to Sandy-egg-go, but he finally gave in when Madrene railed at him. She knew he was hurt that she didn't want to spend more time in his company, but she was a grown woman now, and there would be plenty of time later for them to reminisce. Since coming back, she had cleaned and polished Ian's home from floor to ceiling, even though it was not all that dirty. She polished doorknobs and metal fixtures in the kitchen and bathing chamber. Windows sparkled from her vinegar cleansing. She picked cat hair off the furniture piece by piece.

Ian would be back tomorrow. She planned to tell him her secret right off. Then what would be, would be. The fates had brought her here. The fates would decide whether she should stay.

She had gained a friend in Polly, the lady who lived in the keep next to Ian's and who cared for Sam in Ian's absence. Polly's husband was serving on a ship somewhere whilst Polly stayed home and cared for their two small children.

"Gone a-Viking?" Madrene had asked her.

Polly had laughed. "You could say that."

They were going shopping together at the food mart today.

Madrene had plenty of money since Slick had sold her jewels. She kept the parchment money in three leather traveling bags in back of Ian's closet. She had told Slick she preferred coin, but he'd grinned and said, "No, you don't." As she eased herself down into Polly's bug—that was what she called her small yellow vehicle—she asked, "Is this enough money?" She pulled out the small sheets of parchment from her pocket.

Polly stared at her in astonishment, as if questioning whether she was serious or not. "Five hundred dollars should be more than enough money for the supermarket, honey. Besides, we can't buy too much, or it won't fit in the bug."

As they drove toward the market place, Madrene turned in her seat and entertained the two children in their own special seats… one-year-old Sharon and two-year-old Jonathan.

"They are beautiful children," Madrene said with a sigh.

"Yeah, they are," Polly said with unabashed pride. "Do you and Ian plan to have children?"

"No."

"No?" Polly was clearly surprised. "But Ian adores children. I've seen him play with mine. He would be such a good father. I'm sorry. It's none of my business."

"I am barren."