Winter of the Passion Flower (The de Vargas Family) (13 page)

“I am quite content to remain in our
current time, my dear,” the captain replied drily. It has taken him a few weeks
to get over the effects of his trip to the twenty first century. The passion
flower lotion had healed his physical injury but it had taken him a long time
to reacclimatize to the time change.

It took the rest of the day to unpack the
dirigible, transport, and set up the display to Indigo’s satisfaction. A
miniature version of the holiday biome sat next to a small glass conservatory
filled with tropical plants. A stunning display of products with the blue
passionflower as the centerpiece was surrounded by the full range of
pharmacologicals and cosmecuticals produced by Indigo’s venture, all in the
shape of the flower petals.

Looking around at the three people who trusted
in her endeavors and had supported her over the past few months, Indigo blinked
back tears and Zane was filled witha surge of pride and love for this woman.

“We have achieved great things,” she said,
spreading her arms wide. “We are but a small part of the spirit of creation and
we will continue to come up with new ways to make the world a better place.”

She turned, smiling up at him. “Will you
marry me, sir?”

“Please?” she added.

Indigo and the captain did not return to the
jungle, neither in their time, nor by time travel. They left that to their
children and Sofia.

Zane gave up his vessel and supervised the
biome enterprise and production of pharmaceuticals and cosmecuticals. Four
little captains over the years kept them busy as each of the boys inherited
their mother’s feisty temperament, much to their father’s dismay.

Mr. and Mrs. Grimoult became surrogate
grandparents, and aided and abetted the boys in the pursuit of rebellion…and of
course, time travel.

Sofia followed in her sister’s footsteps
and became a well known couturier in Vienna and established her own haute
couture salon…and embarked on her own moonflower research, of course.

But that is another story…and it begins
below…

Sofia de Vargas shivered and the hairs on
her neck stood on end. The chill wind blew in from the Austrian Alps and the
departure lounge of Wien
Westbahnhof
was icy in the pre-dawn darkness.
She pushed her hands deep into the pockets of her dark cloak, gloved fingers
curling round the cold steel of the small weapon and her gaze flicked around
the deserted space. Quiet footsteps to her left confirmed her suspicion— she
was not alone. She stood completely still, ignoring the pounding of her heart
as she listened in the silence surrounding her.

No sound.

Nothing.

She knew she was unrecognizable; a
close-fitting, dark helmet with a small brass mouthpiece attached, hid her
silver blonde hair from any curious onlooker. She stood to the left of the
portal, hidden by one of the statue crowned columns in the elevated departure
lounge and waited for the arrival of the dawn train from Paris. A sudden
movement to her right caught her attention and she turned quickly scanning the
deserted lounge.

No one.

Nothing.

Now only the scratching of mice and the
rustling of leaves blowing in the cold wind filled the cavernous space.
Stepping back into the shadow of the ornamental column, Sofia spoke softly into
the mouthpiece of her helmet.

“There is somebody else in here.”

Available for kindle on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Flower-Vargas-Family-ebook/dp/B00AR9AIQA

For other formats please email:
[email protected]

Book 2:
Summer of the Moon Flower-
December 2012

Book 3:
Inventions, Alchemy and other
Wicked Adventures

Book 4:
Smugglers, Spring Blossoms and other
Brass Things

Holiday Affair
–March 2012 Entangled Publishing

Blind Lust
–
Musa Publishing June 2012

Summer of the Moon Flower
December 2013

Italian Affair
- 2013

A Passionate Deal
- 2013

Annie Seaton lives on the edge of the South
Pacific Ocean on the east coast of Australia
.
Recently retired from the
world of full time work
,
she is fulfilling her lifelong dream of
writing, and had instant success! Her first two books were both published on
the same day! She writes across genres: steampunk, historical and paranormal
romance, romantic suspense but her favorite genre is contemporary romance.

She lives with her own hero of many years.
Their two children are now grown up and married, and two beautiful
grandchildren have arrived. They share their home with “Bob” the dog and two
white cats.

Annie’s working life was spent in education
from early childhood through to teaching trainee teachers at university. She
has worked as librarian, teacher, technology consultant and university tutor.
She has now retired and spends her days writing down all the stories in her
head.

When she is not writing she can be found in
her garden or walking on the beach...or most likely on her deck overlooking the
ocean, a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc in hand as the sun sets.