When Josh arrived at the dig site, he shared an intimate glance with Anna. Zach, Tom, and Luke snickered as they headed with the tools over to the wall of bones. He would get ribbed about it, that was for sure. Probably all day. But he didn’t mind one bit.
He would marry the woman he loved. He would finish medical school now with a new inspiration. A new challenge and encouragement to give it all he had. Because Anna was waiting for him after graduation. And a lifetime of memories were waiting to be made.
With a long breath, Josh took in the scene around him. Anna was correct. The scent of a dig site was nothing like that near the creek. Perhaps he should pay a bit more attention.
Of course, his nose was accustomed to the sanitary smells of a hospital. Thanks to the work of Pasteur and Lister, antiseptic surgery was now a must. But the disagreeable odor of carbolic acid had become the scent of his trade, too. Not that he liked it. Perhaps his sense of smell was dulled because of it. Coming back to work here would help him appreciate the little things in life again.
Funny how fast the big city and all its dressings had pressed him into submission.
With a smile, he took another big whiff of dirt, earth, and metal. Only a year left. Then he could return.
The offer from Doctor Walsh had been more than generous. Joshua even had an idea of a friend back at universitywho might be adventurous and willing enough to venture out to their rugged territory and spend a few years working with them.
Of course, his friend would have to be willing to leave the city and all its amenities. That might take some convincing.
He shimmied his way up the slanted wall, wishing he had some scaffolding around him, but the degree grade of this section wasn’t as steep. Working with his hammer and a tiny chisel, Joshua took tedious care to excavate another bone that they assumed was part of the spine. The more Joshua gazed at the bone, the more beautiful it became. He could picture the beast thanks to her drawings. All the time and energy Anna had put into this dig made him proud.
Oh, there were lots of other fossils. Bones out of place. With at least two layers. Perhaps many animals other than just their Allosaurus. But the more they worked, the more excited the team became to bring this great beast out of its resting place.
The pinging of his hammer and chisel was a steady rhythm, with a few seconds’ breather in between as he used the brush to clean the debris from the specimen. Then the pinging would begin again.
Each man had their own way they worked. But every day it became a rhythmic symphony. Even the pitches of each hammer and chisel added to the resonant percussion.
A sound he’d come to love. It was beautiful.
Zach’s whoop echoed through the gulley. “Lookee here!”
“Whatcha got?” Luke scrambled down the wall from where he’d been working and peered over Zach’s shoulder.
Josh stopped with the hammer and watched. He tipped his hat back and swiped the sweat off his forehead.
Tom stood at the base with his hands on his hips. “Well?”
Zach’s eyes were wide as he pointed for Luke examine it. “Anna! Come quick! I think we’ve found the skull!”
She was off her perch and darting across the gulley in an instant. Joshua slid down the wall too.
As the guys assisted Anna up to Zach’s side and helped hold her in place, she held a stoic face. But after examining it, her gaze shifted to Josh. The pure delight in her eyes gave him the answer. She then looked at each of the others. “I’m quite certain Zach is correct in his assessment.”
She sounded so proper. In charge. The true leader of their little expedition.
The guys hollered and threw their hats in the air, and then once they were all back on safe footing, Anna headed straight for him and wrapped him in a big hug.
Zach whistled while Tom and Luke clapped. Josh gave them all a wink.
When Anna released him, she turned to each one of them. “This is a big day for us. Not only does it appear that we have an intact spine, but we now have the skull.” Tears shimmered in her eyes and she held out her hands. “I know this is a bit unconventional, but I would appreciate us taking a moment to thank God for this.”
Joshua removed his hat and moved to her side taking her outstretched hand.
“Would you pray?”
The request only made him smile. How amazing that God had brought them back together and now this. “I’d be honored.”
The others bowed their heads as they removed their hats and placed them over their chests.
“Heavenly Father, we thank You—”
A rumble in the distance interrupted his words and drew his attention to the south end of the washout.
