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his unwilling son, and it didn’t feel good. She shared the feeling firsthand now and acknowledged that with a slow nod. His expression said that he received the message.
    “If you don’t mind,” the lawyer said, clearing his throat to get their attention, “there’s more.”
    She sighed but didn’t sit back down. “What else?”
    “Ernst collected an impressive number of books and even some scrolls on his travels. Hundreds of writings, obscure religious texts and—”
    “The sacred teachings of all times,” Bahru explained. “He said you were one of the few people he had ever known who would appreciate his collection.”
    Lena blinked in absolute stunned shock, and thudded heavily into her chair again. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe he did that.”
    “Wait, wait,” Ryan said. “He gives you a vineyard, you’re pissed. But he gives you a pile of musty old books and you’re in tears?”
    She spared him only a quick scowl before turning to Bahru. “But you should have them, Bahru.”
    He shook his head. “They were meant for you. Where would I put them, once I am free to return to my endless journeying?”
    “The books will be delivered to you at your home by week’s end, Magdalena,” said the attorney. “I have people packing them up for shipping right now.”
    She opened her mouth, but he held up a hand. “I promise you, these are men who know how to handle precious and rare manuscripts. They’ll be safe. Ernst also set up a trust for your child, the current balance of which is...” He shuffled papers. “Ten million dollars. With interest, it will be worth significantly more as time passes. But you are in complete control, and may use the interest at any time and in any way you see fit. The principal is to remain untouched until you deem the child mature enough to take control of it. He said he trusted you completely.”
    She felt as if the air had all rushed out of her body and her muscles had turned to gelatin. “But the interest on ten million dollars would be...”
    “At the current rate, it’s earning about five hundred thousand per year.”
    Her jaw dropped.
    “As for you, Bahru, Ernst left you exactly what you asked for. The guesthouse on the vineyard, with the caveat that it’s all right with Magdalena—”
    “What’s this?” Ryan asked, sounding angry again.
    She put her hand on his shoulder. “Easy, Ryan.” And then she turned to the bearded holy man. “Bahru?”
    He smiled softly. “He wanted me to stay close to the child, Magdalena. To advise you and your baby just as I have advised him, and to watch over things.”
    “And is that what you want?”
    “I want nothing more.”
    “Well, you got more,” the lawyer said. “He’s leaving you enough stock to provide a small income for the rest of your life, Bahru. And he told me not to take no for an answer.”
    Bahru’s face darkened. “I told him no money!”
    “He insisted.”
    Lena smiled, recognizing the irony of what she was about to say. “It’s what Ernst wanted, Bahru. It would be an insult not to take it.”
    He frowned but looked down. After a moment, though, he met her eyes again and nodded once. “I accept—if you will accept my presence in the guesthouse, Magdalena.”
    “Of course I will.”
    “Lena, I don’t know about all this,” Ryan began, but he stopped when she sent him her patented glare. She had learned it from her mother, who could wilt roses with it.
    “Fine. Fine. It’s not like I have any say in it anyway.”
    “That’s right, Ryan.”
    He was really fuming. She knew he’d never trusted Bahru, but surely he could see now that the guru had never been after his father’s fortune. He’d been clearly angry when Ernst had left him money.
    “Are we finished here, then?” Ryan asked.
    “Actually,” Samuels said, “Lena and Bahru can go now, but I need one more moment with you, Ryan.”
    Ryan sent Lena a look, as if to ask if she would be okay without