Page 105 of Truly, Madly Viking

And Maggie couldn't see his coming to work with his brother, either. This was Rolf's place... his small niche in modern society. Two strong, independent men like these two, would never be able to share leadership without eventually clashing.

"Don't expect too much too soon."

Maggie was jarred from her meandering thoughts by Meredith's admonition. "I wasn't."

"Shhh," Meredith said, reaching over to wipe a tear from Maggie's cheek with a tissue.

Maggie hadn't even realized she'd begun weeping. "I thought that the only stumbling block to Joe's staying here in the future with me and my daughters was finding his brother," she confided. "Well, he's found his brother, but Joe hasn't said a word since we've been here. His silence is telling."

"It means that he's probably confused," Meredith said.

"Yes, it does. And I just don't understand why," Maggie cried.

Meredith thought carefully before she spoke. "These Viking men have to make the choice themselves.

They do not think or act according to our feminine whims. Did you know that Rolf left me for six weeks before we got back together? He let me think that he had died, or gone back to the past."

"No!" Maggie exclaimed. Then, "Did you whack him upside the head when you found out?"

"For sure," Meredith answered with a little laugh. "Rolf had to go back to present-day Norway, and then England, to get some answers before he made the decision to stay with me."

"Love wasn't enough?"

"Love wasn't enough."

Maggie let Meredith's comforting words sink in. "But Joe might be different. He might decide that the best thing would be to go back to his own time."

"He might," Meredith agreed. "That's something you have to prepare yourself for."

"I'm trying. In fact, I think I've been girding myself for that eventuality almost from the first time I met him. This relationship screamed heartbreak from the get-go."

"No," Meredith corrected. "I suspect it screamed 'the love of your life, baby' from the get go. The fact that there might be some heartbreak as well was secondary."

"You're very wise. You should have been a psychologist," Maggie said, laughing.

"Come back," Meredith urged, repeating her earlier words. "No matter what... come back."

"I will," Maggie promised then, opening the driver's door of the car, but waiting for Joe before entering.

"No matter what."

Jorund had said his farewells to his brother, and it was time to go.

"Will I see you again, Jorund? Ever?"

He shrugged. "You could come to Tax-us. Really, we could buy you a pair of cow-man boots. For you, I might even line dance."

Rolf smiled sadly, not at all taken in by his brother's teasing words or evasive response.

I do not know," Jorund answered finally.

Rolf let out a whoosh of exasperation. "Why do you always make life so difficult? Really, it is an easy decision."

"Was it an easy decision for you?"

"Nay, but my situation was different."

"Hah! So you say now."