Anna was nice. She seemed to love her father. Why would she love him and do things for him if he was mean?
Taking a deep breath, he knocked.
Anna opened the door. “Hi, Julian. You’re here to see Dad? He told me he invited you.”
“Yes.” He swallowed. Didn’t know what else to say.
She led him down a hallway. “Here you go.” She held an arm out toward the open door. “Go on in. You two can talk while I get us some of Louise’s fresh pie.”
“All right.” He took a reluctant step into the room and held his hat in his hands. “Good evening, Mr. Lakeman.”
“Call me Peter. How are you today, Julian?”
“I’m fine.”
“Come on in and sit. Make yourself at home.”
He sat in a chair and stared at the man.
Mr. Lakeman asked him questions about his ranch. The weather. His garden.
Why was this man being nice to him? It seemed odd considering how the rest of Walker Creek treated him. He didn’t know what to ask the man. But shouldn’t he do the same and ask questions?
Then he remembered the rock he’d put in his pocket. “I have something I’d like to show you. Could you tell me if it is a fossil or a rock?”
“Sure. I’d love to see it.”
Julian pulled out the rock. But two faded blue ribbons came out with it.
They fell onto Mr. Lakeman’s bed.
Julian snatched them up and shoved them back in his pocket.
He handed the rock to Mr. Lakeman. “Is this ... is this a fossil?” He cleared his throat.
The older man’s eyes were full of questions.
He’d seen.
twenty-four
“I was full of courage and the highest hopes....”
~Earl Douglass
WEDNESDAY, JULY17
The days were beginning to wear on her. They’d had record-breaking heat for almost a week now and Anna was finding it hard to keep up with everything. Between the dig and all the watering of her garden at home, and spending time with Dad and Joshua—which she loved...
One of these days, she needed to go home and go to bed. Get some rest. It might help her to see things clearer.
She and Joshua had settled into a comfortable rhythm and routine. He’d flat-out told her that he wasn’t the least bit interested in Rosemary. Never was. Never would be. He didn’t want to stay in Chicago. He wanted to be here.
At the time, she’d been too tired to voice every doubt and question she had. She loved him. Needed him. And desperately needed to rely on his strength right now. Otherwise, she might not make it through.
Julian had asked her to see some more flowers today, and she’d gone. Because he’d been so sweet and had kept the Oppenheims away.
She owed him her gratitude for that one. It had been nice to work in peace. But she’d have to allow them back soon. She had promised to work it out with Julian, after all. Maybe she could wait until Mr. Gilbert knew that their expert was coming.
