Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 135(@200wpm)___ 108(@250wpm)___ 90(@300wpm)
“But why would Sweden be a safe place?” Ainsley asks, confused. “Wasn’t Sweden embroiled in the war too?”
“Yes, but officially, they were a neutral country. You know that Sweden and Finland only joined NATO recently, right? It’s because they always positioned themselves as neutral territories. But now, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the two countries decided they could no longer remain neutral and submitted papers to become the newest members of NATO.”
She nods slowly.
“Yes, I remember seeing that in the news. So your family is actually Danish, and you’re Jewish.”
“Yes, but we’re Swedish now,” I say in a low tone. “We decided to stay in our adoptive country, although we kept the Danish spelling of our last name. “Andersen” spelled “s-e-n” is the Danish spelling. If we were Swedish, it would be spelled “Andersson” with two s’s and an o.”
Ainsley nods slowly.
“Yes, I was wondering about that. Each country has its own naming conventions, although populations have become so mixed now that you can’t really tell where someone is from by their name alone.”
I nod.
“But get this, sweetheart. “Andersen” isn’t our real name either. My family is originally from Bohemia, and our original last name is Arnstein. We’re a Jewish family through and through, and I don’t know how or why we changed our name over the centuries, but it was probably to blend in. It hasn’t been safe to be Jewish in Europe for a long time, and I’m not sure that it’s safe even now. So you see? You’re marrying a man of the tribe, and I’m proud of my culture and my religion. Let the internet sleuths get a taste of that. They’ll be issuing retractions so fast it’ll be funny.”
I stare at him.
“Yes, but you know these internet trolls will never admit they’re wrong. They’ll just find some way to twist the truth.”
I shrug, shooting a playful smile at the gorgeous redhead.
“Let them twist ... in the wind, that is. You’re not antisemitic, Ainsley. Everyone who matters knows that, and by marrying a Jewish man, you’re not just talking the talk. You’re walking the walk. You’re a woman of integrity, and incredible intelligence and compassion. I adore you, Ainsley. I love how you feel everything with every cell of your heart, and put 100% effort into everything you do, sweetheart. Marry me,” I say in a rough tone, the joking over. “Be my wife. Forever.”
With those words, the beautiful redhead throws her arms around my neck, peppering my face with kisses.
“Yes, oh yes, Karl. I do.”
Then, our lips join passionately, as I savor every curve of the beautiful woman’s body. But it’s not just the plus-size model’s curves that I’m after. It’s her sass, her pizzazz, her determination to succeed, her drive, her ambition, and her intelligence. I’m in love with Ainsley O’Lachlan ... and now it’s time for the world to know.
EPILOGUE
Ainsley
“So he didn’t ask you to convert?” Kristie whispers as we stand inside Castle Droghaire, looking out into the garden. It’s a gorgeous lawn, with landscaped hedges, sculpted topiaries, and best of all, a beautiful chuppah erected before fifty or so guests. The canopy is made of delicate white fabric, with trellised roses woven around the four poles holding it aloft. It’s a symbol of God’s presence at our wedding, and according to Jewish belief, the divine Name hovers above the canopy, sanctifying the space. We have a special surprise too. After our ceremony’s over, Karl and I are going to invite all couples present to stand below the chuppah to recall – or anticipate – their own weddings!
I smile with anticipation and excitement. This entire experience is romantic, extraordinary, and yet it feels so right too. Somehow the blend of my fiancé’s culture (the chuppah, rabbi, and other Jewish traditions) meld beautifully with my own (we’re currently at Castle Droghaire, the seat of my family in Ireland). Yes, I grew up in a medieval castle that the O’Lachlans built centuries ago. My brother Patrick lives here now with his wife and kids, and the children fill the hallways with laughter. Even crazier, Patrick got Ashley pregnant by accident when they were first dating, and my future sister-in-law hatched some hare-brained plan where she was going to hide within the castle walls with the new baby. Obviously, that was never going to happen. My brother found out and Patrick dragged her kicking and screaming to the altar, baby or no baby.
But everything worked out in the end. Patrick and Ashley are very happy together, and I have a beautiful niece Cloddagh, as well as a new little niece named Siobhan. Yes, my family’s leaning hard into Irish naming traditions, and I love seeing our culture and history continued.
So I smile at Kristie.
”No, Karl didn’t ask me to convert. He’s more culturally Jewish than anything, but that’s fine. Maybe we’ll try out the local synagogue in Vegas. Maybe we’ll move to Sweden. I’m not sure yet, but it’s going to be an adventure.