Her gaze dropped back to her grid, and she looked it over one more time. No matter how redundant, every day she redid her calculations. They had little margin for error if they were to finish on time. If anyone got behind, it put the entire dig in jeopardy.
“Good morning, Miss Jankowski.”
Jacob’s voice from her left brought her attention up. Oh, what that lopsided grin did to her insides. “Good morning, Mr. Duncan. Are we back to formalities?”
He glanced around. Her perch where she’d positioned her tent to observe the dig was in everyone’s view. “Well, youaremy boss. And the whole dig site can see us.” He put a hand to the side of his mouth. “And probably hear us too.” The last words were hushed.
“First and foremost, I hope you think of me as your friend.” Feeling bold, she wiggled her eyebrows at him. “You are definitelymyfriend, Jacob.”
“Certainly. You are my friend. Martha.” The way he said her name made her feel ... special. “Have you thought about hiring a couple more workers to dig?”
Her happy little bubble popped. Back to business. “I have. But I don’t think I can risk it. Finding people I can trust is getting more difficult by the day.”
“That’s understandable.” He stepped beside her and examined the map and grid. “For now, I’m confident we can get itdone. I know how important it is to prepare for contingencies. If even one of your workers gets sick or injured, we’ll be in a heap of trouble scrambling to make up for the loss.”
“I know. I can’t say that I haven’t worried about that. But can I risk someone stealing from me? Spying on me? Or sabotaging the dig?”
He winced.
“Oh, I trustyou, Jacob, I do. But I’m sure you can understand my concerns.”
His eyes now held a bit of hesitancy. “I’m here to help you in any way that I can. I promise.”
“Thank you.” She looked back down at the map. He was obviously troubled over the whole matter as well. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked about her having protection. Wait until she told him about the news Lily Rose had shared with her. “I’m glad you’re here, Jacob.”
“Me too. I appreciate you giving me the opportunity.” He looked down, a hint of red creeping up his neck as he fidgeted with a pencil on the table.
She watched him for a second and bit her lip. If she shared with him the rules from the competition, perhaps it would make him feel more comfortable. He might even have some good ideas to help her. “Jacob...”
His head jerked up. “I’m sorry. I was lost in thought.”
She pulled the paper out of her case. “Each worker knows the rules I have set out for our team, and they know that we are bound by rules from the owner of the museum. You read my rules when you signed the contract. But the rules from the owner of the museum are very specific for what will disqualify us from the competition. My rules for the team are based on them.”
“I’m glad the museum owner did that. It should keep everyone honest.”
With a nod, she lifted the paper. “Here ... why don’t you read them.”
He took the paper from her and she watched his lips move as he read over it.
She crossed her arms over her middle and paced back and forth.
His mouth pinched as he folded the paper and handed it back to her. When their eyes met...
Goodness! His face had gone pale and his eyes wide.
Then his gaze snapped to the ground. Like he couldn’t look her in the eye.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s something I need to tell you.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.
“All right.” What on earth was wrong?
“I’m afraid—”
“Martha!” Lily Rose rushed up beside them, her breath coming in gasps and her hair in disarray from running. “I just ran into Isaac again. Your mother sent him. We need to head back home. Your father has taken a turn for the worse.”
“Father?” Martha bent over his bed. “I came as soon as I heard.” She glanced up at Nurse Krueger.
