From somewhere in the distance came a long, drawn-out cry.
Samantha’s eyes went wide. “What was that?”
“Probably a mountain lion. We have a lot of them up here. One jumped up on the deck once and looked through the window. I’ve seen bears on the property, too.”
Samantha gaped at him. “An apartment in Boulder is a great idea. I’m not sure I’d want to come home in the dark if you’re not here.”
Thor couldn’t help but smile. “Does the city girl find the wild animals scary?”
She leaned in, kissed him. “Not when you’re with me.”
Thor drew in a breath and decided to come right out with it. “There is something that bastard said that I can’t let go.”
“What’s that?”
“Remember when he asked me what it’s like being married to a computer?”
“You said, ‘It’s great.’ You didn’t correct him and tell him we aren’t married.”
“Why would I do that?” Thor lifted a strand of wet hair off her cheek. “It’s none of his shitting business, and, to be honest, Ilikethe idea.”
“You liked the idea of being married to a computer?”
He laughed. “Of being married toyou.”
Samantha stared at him through wide eyes. “You want to … to marry me?”
Thor was as surprised as she was. “I do.”
“I didn’t think you believed in marriage.”
“Neither did I—but then I’ve never been in love before either.” He sat up, caught her face between his palms, needing her to understand. “The day before I left for Antarctica, I sat on that bench over there, thinking how the one thing missing from my life was a woman who loved me despite my lack of appreciation for expensive shoes and my ridiculous job. Then I met you.”
He chuckled. “You had a pencil in your hair, and I don’t think you wanted us there. But you blew me away with your intelligence, your courage, your sweet face—and that was before we ended up in bed. I don’t have an engagement ring—yet—but I can’t imagine a future without you. I love you, Samantha.”
Then because only Danish expressed what he wanted to say, he switched. “Du er ikke bare min kæreste, Samantha. Du er blodet i mine årer. Du er mit hjertes slag. Du er åndedrag i lungerne. Du er alt for mig.”
Tears filled her eyes as she tried to work through his words, her face lighting up with a wobbly smile. “I didn’t understand that—something about a heart?”
Thor did his best to translate, though it didn’t sound as good in English. “You aren’t just my girlfriend.You’re the blood in my veins. You’re the beating of my heart. You’re the breath in my lungs. You’re everything to me.”
“Oh, Thor. I don’t need a ring. I just want you.Jeg elsker dig.”
I love you.
“Is that ayes?”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Ja. Jeg siger ja.”
Yes. I say yes.
Heart full, Thor kissed her, the stars glittering overhead.