She wanted to see him again. Their time together yesterday had been ...reallynice. Better than nice, it had been the most incredible day of her life. In fact, she hoped that they could repeat it again soon.
Heat filled her face at the thought of kissing him again.
Checking her watch, she tried to put it out of her mind forthe time being. “Guys, I’m headed home to check on Dad. If Joshua shows up, would you ask him to come by my house tonight?”
“Sure thing.” Zach, the designated leader of the group, waved at her. “We’ll stay while we still have light. Thanks for bringing all those sandwiches today.”
“Thank Louise. She’s the one who made them for us.”
“Well, pass on our thanks to her. We’ve got food and water and plenty to keep us busy.”
“Thanks, guys.” She headed to her horse. “I’ll let her know.” This team of men had been wonderful over the years. They were almost like brothers to her. Dad trusted them, and it was great to see their loyalty and their excitement for the dig.
Things could change a lot over the coming years if Marsh continued to push and rile up everyone around him. A paleontological dig could become a place of argument and unsafe working conditions. She wouldn’t wish that for anyone, but she could see the writing on the wall.
Something had to change, or her beloved science would forever be tainted.
As she rode home, the wind in her hair and on her face helped her to cool down from the heat of the day. She better not get used to it, though, because she was about to dig in the dirt for hours.
Manure-filled, stinky dirt.
But it would be worth it.
If she said it a hundred times would she believe it?
Eh, probably not.
At home, she raced inside, determined to eat and chat with her dad before Julian arrived with his wagon.
Dad and Louise were excited to share that he had been able to move his legs without overtaxing his heart today, which had given him a boost of confidence.
As long as he kept up with the daily medicine for his heartand his exercises, surely he would get stronger each day. At least, that’s what the doctor said to them each time he visited.
Her father had a million questions about the dig, especially after he examined the sketches she’d brought.
Before long, she heard the rumble of a wagon approaching. “I better change into clothes fit for digging in the manure.” She sent Dad a horrified look as she pinched her nose.
Dad’s laughter encouraged her. He struggled from day to day with the melancholy that came in spurts and bouts.
But she couldn’t blame him. He couldn’t move much on his own, he had to have someone feed him and change him, he couldn’t be out at the dig site—of the most exciting find of his career—and he was having to live vicariously through his daughter bringing him sketches.
Didn’t sound like a whole lot of fun.
Not for anyone.
Shewouldn’t handle it well, she could say that.
After changing into her worst dress, which she’d worn when they’d mixed the manure into the dirt, she went outside to the garden plot and waved at her dad through the window. “Just wait. This is going to be amazing.”
“Miraculous, is more like it.”
“I heard that!”
Julian pulled up in his wagon and she peered over the side at all the tiny little green plants. “Thanks for doing this.”
He shrugged as he hopped down. “I enjoy it. Growing things makes me happy.”
“Well, let’s see if it can makemehappy. And if I can keep anything alive.”
