Chapter Twenty-Two

Jeff Holmes and Debbie Hutchinson are enjoying the party. Collie, after eyeing Jeff for a moment, comes over with Spike, puppy in his arms.

"You look really familiar. Don't I know you?"

Jeff gives her a big smile. "You saw me during the rescue."

"No, I know you from somewhere else."

"Maybe I just have one of those faces?"

Beth and Mick, just rejoining their guests, overhear the last comments and look at each other. Déjà vu. Spike is getting restless as only a nine year old can at a grownup party.

"Ah, Collie, come on. Let's go take Faith for a walk. She doesn't like all these people, especially the Vikings. They keep trying to snatch her up."

Debbie laughs. "When they're not trying to snog all of us ladies. They sure caught on to that mistletoe thing."

Jeff guffaws. "You sure were snogging right back with Thor." Debbie blushes and turns her attention to the dog.

"Hey, Spike, I'll come with you guys and show you a couple of training tips. I hope you have a lot of treats since puppies, and people, respond quickly when there are rewards."

Josef, joining the group, agrees. "So true. After watching these humans, I think I prefer canines. Spike, you and Collie go see what Cook can come up with for Faith.

Ah, Debbie, a moment?"

"What can I do you for, Mr. Kostan?"

"Call me Josef. I have been told by young Elliott St. John to extend to you a formal proposal of marriage."

"Elliott wants to marry me?"

"No, he's the interpreter for the proposer who is still learning English, and ah, other things." Josef looks over at Thor and the boys at the mulled wine line. The wine steward is starting to look harassed, after being sloshed by a nearly drunken Viking. "So what do you say?"

Looking at the same scene, Debbie smiles. "To the proposal or the training?"

"Both. I have been told to tell you that he has absolutely nothing in the way of assets but that he will be a loving and by his standards, kind, husband."

"Does that mean he won't be dragging me by the hair to his cave?"

"No, Debbie, that means he'll wait five seconds for the honeymoon to begin."