Her father stirred, but then settled back into a deep sleep.
“I guess what I’m saying—in a roundabout way—is that I believe, for the first time, that I’ve come to care for someone. Since this is new territory for me, I was hoping you would approve.”
A low moan escaped her father’s lips. And then his mouth settled into a smile.
Even though they’d never had a conversation like this ... ever ... Martha’s heart filled with peace. “I’ll take that as a yes. At least, until you can tell me differently.”
Perhaps she could have the father and daughter relationship she’d longed for after all.
He just had to get better.
If the Jankowski force of will had anything to do with it, she’d make certain it happened.
WEDNESDAY, MAY8, 1889•JANKOWSKIDIGSITE
The last week working with Martha had been the most amazing week of his life. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable about paleontology and so many other areas, but she was organized, inquisitive, and quite striking. The more time he spent with her, the more he had to digest the fact that he was quickly losing his heart.
Not that he would ever say anything to her. There was too much separating them—mainly the rules of society.
In light of that, he’d keep his mouth shut. He didn’t care about classes and social distinctions, but the world he and Martha lived in cared a great deal. Especially the worldshecame from. She might not act like a difference in class bothered her now, but one day, she could be faced with a choice that she wouldn’t be able to make. Her family, their money and class—or him. He never wanted to put her through that. So he would admire her and treasure their time together. He would protect her and do all he could to see her succeed.
“Jacob?” The object of his thoughts called to him from the foreman’s tent. “Would you come here for a moment?”
He set down his tools and hiked up the side of the quarry. “Good morning. How can I help?”
“Hm. That was exactly my question.” Her hands were on her hips as she studied a large map on the table.
“What’s this?” Walking over to her side, he recognized the map was of the quarry now that it was right-side-up. “Ah, I see.” Fascinating, she’d made it into a grid. Just like the roped-off areas. He pointed. “What do these shaded areas mean?”
“Those sections have been excavated and didn’t produce any fossils.” She pointed to tiny checkmarks in some of the corners of squares. “The ones with checkmarks are completed in excavation and over here”—she showed him the key—“is the listing of which fossils and bones were found.”
“Wow. That’s impressive.” She really was the best for this job. A true foreman. Organized, knowledgeable, skilled. Would he ever meet anyone like her? Likely not.
“Thank you.” She released a heavy sigh. “The problem is ... all these other squares represent what has to be done by August twenty-sixth.”
He scanned the grid. “Let’s not look at it as a problem.”
One dainty eyebrow quirked up. “Oh?”
She was adorable when she did that. If those dimples came out, he’d have to run and splash water over his face to keep from staring at her like a schoolboy. “Look at it this way ... you are three-quarters of the way finished.”
Her light laughter filled the tent and floated out on the breeze. There were the dimples.
Oh, he was in trouble.
“That is awfully optimistic of you, kind sir, but let me remind you that I’ve been working in this quarry for more than two years. And the end of August is approaching faster than I would like.”
“True”—he dipped his head—“but you have more help now, right?”
“Yes. But I’ve been doing the math for what is left. Five of the quadrants left on the grid have the majority of the bones in the quarry—so that will be more work. I hate being a pessimist, but I have to look at this realistically.”
“Okay.” He studied it again. “There are more daylight hours the next few months. Maybe you could ask the men if they would work more each day? I know I wouldn’t mind helping.” He shrugged and connected gazes with her. “Right now, they’re pulling eight hours a day. I know you want everyone fresh and rested, but we could increase that to ten—possibly even twelve—hours a day until we reach the finish line.”
“You’d be willing to do that? It’s grueling work. Especiallyin the sun.” The shock on her face that anyone would sacrifice for her just about knocked his feet out from under him.
A moment of bravery overtook him and he touched her arm for a second. But it was enough. “I’m pretty sure the others will agree. More hours means more pay. Money is a huge motivator.”
She blinked fast several times and sniffed. Then turned back to the map. “Thank you.”
