“What’re you going to do about it?”
“I haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“Okay. But, if you’re lying…if you’re just using her, if you hurt her again, I’m coming for you.”
“You won’t be coming for me. I love her. I won’t hurt her again.”
Kristian grinned at Erik. “What’d she say when you told her?”
Erik shifted uncomfortably, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Oh, Erik. You told me before you told her? Freshman mistake. Whew. You’re going to be in trouble. Oh, man, I sure wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.”
“Then keep it to yourself, Kristian. I’ll tell when the time’s right. It’s still new. I don’t—I don’t want to rush her. Wreck things.”
“I guess I can keep a secret. For a little while.” Kristian’s smile faded as he regarded the younger man seriously. “Can I give you some advice, though?”
“Sure.”
“Speaking from experience, don’t wait too long. Don’t assume she knows.” Then he clapped Erik on the arm and walked away, back to the other men.
Erik mulled that over for a moment before realizing he never brought up the subject of Wade to Kristian, as he had intended. He wanted Kristian to be on his guard too. He’d make a point to speak to him later.
***
The ladies joined them on the porch soon after and it surprised Erik a little to see that Lisabet and Margaret wore traditional Swedish dress, including white caps, peasant blouses, long skirts, and aprons. Ingrid, Jenny, and Katrin were more toned down than the older generation, although all three girls wore some manner of traditional Swedish peasant blouse, and Erik recognized Jenny’s as one his mother used to wear, which made him happy and sad all at the same time.
“What do you think?” Katrin asked, turning her head from side to side so he could see the tiny flowers.
“Skön,” he answered, putting his arm around her possessively. Beautiful.
She smiled at him and reached up to kiss his cheek, but he moved his face at the last second, catching her lips with his for a quick kiss. It was only a peck, but as she drew back, her eyes widened, and she shook her head.
“My mother’s right there!” she whispered, dimples deep and merry.
He leaned down and put his lips as close as possible to her ear without actually kissing it, and whispered, “I haven’t seen Paradise yet.”
As he drew back, she swallowed and her face was serious, but her eyes betrayed her. You want me, too. “We can’t just leave.”
“Why not?”
“They’ll notice.”
“Notice what? Do you think they all thought we were playing checkers at your apartment last night?”
“You are very naughty.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet.”
Katrin bit her lip, staring at him.
“Show me. Show me Paradise,” he insisted, flicking his eyes to her breasts, which were full and lush in her peasant blouse, squeezed together by the tightly laced bodice. His tongue darted out to wet his lips before he looked back up at her gaze.
She rolled her eyes, but her breathing was heavy, and he felt her resistance slipping.
“It’ll have to be quick, Erik.”
“I’m multi-talented. I can do quick too,” he grinned.
She glanced around to be sure no one was watching, then took his hand, and led him to Paradise.
***
A huge circle of about fifty people had taken hands around a traditional Swedish maypole and were circling it jauntily as familiar Swedish folk songs played. Erik was distracted watching Katrin from the sidelines as she held hands with her mother and aunt. Moving left then right, she was sometimes surprised by the shift in directions which made her giggle, dimples creasing her cheeks.
She looked like she’d been a part of this tradition for her whole life, and out of nowhere, he had the premature hope that he’d be here to see her dance every year. He shook his head. She’s only been your girlfriend for a week, Erik. But, he couldn’t help the longing to have her settled permanently in his life, suddenly couldn’t stand the thought that he would ever miss a Midsommardagen with her at the Triple Peak. He knew for sure he’d never be able to celebrate again without thinking of her. Either Midsummer was ruined for life, or it must be celebrated together.
“Hey!” He was so distracted watching her, he didn’t notice Jenny sidle up next to him until she poked her bony elbow into his ribs. “Watching your girl?”
He glanced at his sister, who offered him a shot of Aquavit. He shook his head, gesturing to Kat before smiling at Jenny. “She doesn’t like it.”
Jenny raised her eyebrows then spilled it on the ground, rolling the little shot glass between her hands. “Always knew you’d eventually fall. Always knew it’d be hard and fast when you did.”
“Well, Miss-Know-It-All—”
“That’s Mrs.-Know-It-All to you.”
He smiled at her, glancing meaningfully at her belly. “Almost Mamma-Know-It-All.”
“Mamma,” she whispered. Jenny placed her hands on her tummy, rubbing it slightly. “I miss her so much lately. Sam’s mom is great, you know? She’s already planning to come and stay when the baby comes. But I miss mine.”
“Noen elskar meg en gang. Jeg er velsignet, Jenny-girl.” Someone loved me once. I am blessed. The same words their mother bade them remember as she lay dying.
“I know she loved me, Erik. I know. We were blessed.”
After a few moments of mutual silence, Erik turned to her. “Can I ask you something, Jen?”
“Anything.”
Erik looked over at their father, feeling his expression harden. “Didn’t it make you mad? At the end when she was calling for him? Why aren’t you still mad?”
She considered this, speaking in soft, measured tones. “I was very angry with her at the time. I never understood how she could ask that of him. But, when she died, I missed her so
