Page 91 of The Very Virile Viking

"I can answer that," Angela said, much to his surprise. "Since your father invested almost a million dollars in gold coins into the Blue Dragon, you all are welcome to stay here indefinitely… at least till it's clearer what is happening and what you all want to do. There are some immediate things that can be done, like

tutors for all the children, school enrollment in the fall, driver's training for you, Magnus, and for Torolf…

and dozens of other things."

He cast Angela a thank-you smile. That was one worry off his mind—where they would stay and what he would do in the immediate future. The far-off future remained a mystery.

"But I would advise all of you to keep this time-travel theory to yourselves," Angela cautioned. "If the news got out, you would have every scientist and quack entrepreneur at your doorstep, dissecting you physically, emotionally, intellectually. You would never be allowed to live a normal life."

No one disagreed with that admonition as they sat contemplating how they would be regarded by this modern society. Not favorably, Magnus was sure. More like freaks.

"I have thought on everything we have discussed here today, and I have come to a conclusion," Magnus said. "My brothers are the key to our future."

"How so?" Angela asked.

"If I am able to locate my brothers in this new land, in this time, then my brothers would surely know, after all this time, whether 'twas possible to stay here or not. It would mean that time travelers can relocate and stay in the place where God, or the miracle, has sent them… if they so choose."

Angela focused on only one short phrase in all that he had said. "If they so choose?" she repeated.

He wanted to say that he did so choose, but he could not do that yet. Not till he had a surer idea of what the future held.

His silence must have been telling to Angela, though, because tears welled in her eyes before she turned, stricken, and left the gazebo.

If you don't succeed, try, try again…

"Angela, Mrs. Abruzzi, be reasonable," Gunther Morgan pleaded.

He was sitting with her and Grandma in the front living room the next morning. After apologizing for his behavior the previous week, he began his usual campaign to buy the Blue Dragon. It was more than a coincidence that he chose to return at a time when Magnus and the boys were busy in one of the far vineyards with Miguel.

"Why is it so important to you?" Grandma wanted to know. "You have a bigger property than ours.

Why can't you be satisfied with what you've got?" Since Lida was ensconced in a high chair in the kitchen with Juanita, and the girls were off at the mall with Lily, Grandma lit up a cigarette and took a deep, satisfying inhalation. The bliss on her face almost made Angela want to take up the filthy habit herself.

Almost.

"I have four sons, Mrs. Abruzzi. Yes, I have a large property, but not big enough to satisfy all of them and their families. Plus, we are growing… the market is growing… but the amount of land remains the same."

"Look to the other sides of you, then," Angela advised.

"I have." Gunther sighed. "My neighbors are in the same situation as I am. They all have family dynasties they want to establish and only so much land."

"I won't be pressured to sell, Gunther. I won't," Grandma said fiercely. "As long as I am breathing, the Blue Dragon will stay in Abruzzi hands."

"But Angela isn't even married," he argued. "She may never have children to carry on your line here."

"Whether I marry or not… whether I have children or not… is none of your business." Angela wanted to slap the false pity off the man's face, but she fisted her hands instead. "Never lose your cool" had been her motto in business for years, and it had served her well thus far.

"You aren't even making wine here anymore, for chrissake!"

"We're planning on starting up again," Angela lied.

"You are?" Gunther asked, clearly shocked.

"We are?" Grandma asked, then quickly covered her tracks by saying, "I mean, we are… very soon now."

Gunther recovered his cool. "Be reasonable, ladies. You must have sustained severe damage from the recent fire. That, on top of your financial problems… well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see you're in trouble here."

"You know an awful lot about what's happening at the Blue Dragon, don't you, Gunther?" Angela inquired, her eyes narrowed.