Page 79 of The Very Virile Viking

"You were up all night, too," she pointed out.

"Are you inviting me to join you in a nap?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at her. He was wearing dirty jeans and an equally dirty denim shirt, thanks to a morning spent clearing out the damaged vines in the burned field. His light brown hair, which appeared golden in the sunlight, was tied back into a ponytail, but it was more unkempt than usual. There was an ashy smudge mark on his neck.

Angela's heart turned over, just looking at this man who had become so important to her in such a short period of time. "Don't I wish," she said softly, and leaned forward to kiss him lightly on the lips. "Between Carmen and Lily, all your kids, my grandmother, and Juanita, I suspect it will be a long time before we can be alone again."

He nodded.

"Thank you, Magnus, for all your help. I'm not sure what I would have done without you."

" 'Twas nothing." He leaned up and kissed her then… not so lightly.

"And about the money… we need to talk about that."

"Nay, we do not. You may consider it a gift, or you may consider it a payment for my inevitable effect on your contract with Dare-All. Better yet, you may consider…" He chuckled as he let his words trail off.

"Yes?"

"… me the answer to your prayers."

More trouble…

Magnus had been working all afternoon with the boys and Miguel and the Blue Dragon laborers, clearing out the dead vines. Miguel seemed to think the rootstock on most of the vines could be saved for another year, which was good news.

Fatigued and more than ready for that nap he'd mentioned to Angela, but knowing there was too much work to allow a rest, he leaned against his rake and stared down the hill.

Carmen's automobile was still there; she must have spent the day visiting. Poor Angela! Poor Grandma, as well! In his opinion, a person could take only so much of a person like Carmen. She reminded him of King Olaf's middle daughter, Ilse. Ilse swept into any great hall she was visiting like a big wind, carrying with her gossip, criticism, and general discord. What women like that needed were strong men to tire them out in the bed furs and strong hands to hold them in their places when not engaged in the primary activity for which females were born—sexplay. Mayhap he would share that thought with Angela later…

if he could find a battle shield first, he thought, laughing aloud.

Just then Magnus noticed another automobile drive up. Even from this distance, he could tell it was a man who emerged and approached the front door of the house.

A premonition of danger swept over Magnus, and the fine hairs stood up all over his body. Jow's ears flared up with alertness, and he began to bark wildly even before he started galloping down the hill, despite his limp.

Magnus took off after the dog… not so much because he wanted to prevent the animal from doing harm, but because he feared this new visitor posed some threat to Angela.

When he got to the house, he found everyone gathered in the front hall. Juanita was trying to hold Jow back by his collar, but the dog was wild with excitement. The sharp words being exchanged could hardly be heard over his barking.

Magnus took the dog in hand and shoved him into the pantry, closing the door behind him. The barking could still be heard, but not so loudly.

He returned to the hall, where he found Grandma Rose, Angela, and Carmen speaking with a man dressed in an impeccably tailored gray garment known in this country as a suit. Not a strand of his whitish-blond hair or mustache was out of place. Even his fingernails were perfectly trimmed and dirt-free.

"What the hell's wrong with that damn dog? Someone ought to put the beast down, if it's that dangerous

to people," the man complained.

"Anyone touches that dog, and he will find out what real danger is," Magnus said, stepping forward.

The man, who was of medium height, craned his neck to look up at Magnus. And gulped.

Magnus knew how he must look in his grimy work clothes to this well-groomed man, but he did not care.

"What business is it of yours?"

"What business is it of yours what business it is of mine?" Magnus countered.

"Huh?"

"You heard me. State your business and be gone. I will not abide anyone threatening those under the protection of my shield."