And dangerous.
The wagon back into town was unusually silent. Ever since Martha’s dressing-down of the men a few days before, the mood had shifted to a surly silence. The work was getting done, but attitudes were worsening. At some point the tension was going to break, and Jacob feared what the outcome of that would be.
Not only was Martha on edge every moment she was at the dig, but her companion was even more severe. Which oozed out to all of the men.
Their friendly, happy atmosphere was gone.
Thankfully, no one else had brought up his working on the other team again. He didn’t need that reminder while doing his best to make this dig a success for Martha.
But they were behind. Plain and simple. Martha was surely feeling the pressure. What could he do to help fix this mess?
He sighed. He’d caught glimpses of Martha since she’dsnapped at him, but he hadn’t dared try to talk to her. Lily Rose was constantly with her and, true to her threat, she watched his every move at the dig. Jacob shifted on the uncomfortable seat. Something was not right with that woman, but what?
Am I imagining things, Lord? Or is she just protective of her friend? I need Your wisdom, Jesus.
Finally, town loomed into view. A few minutes later, Jacob gingerly stepped off the wagon. His muscles screamed at him. The bumpy journey and all the ways he had to twist and turn to excavate bones were taking their toll. He was twenty-five, but tonight he felt sixty-five.
He hadn’t reserved the tub for this evening, but maybe his landlady would be lenient and let him have it after everyone was done. He could dig again tomorrow if he had a good soak tonight.
He made his way down the street, then slowed his pace. A group of men huddled outside the door of the local hotel, angry voices raised.
“My tools were stolen, I’m telling ya!”
That was Jones, one of the men from the other dig. He was yelling into the face of a small man with a bowler hat on.
“Snatched in the light of day while I ate lunch.”
“And a smaller fossil I found was smashed to bits.”
Jacob couldn’t see who was speaking that time.
The small man shuffled. “Now, gentlemen, I will take your grievances to the owner, but—”
“Butwhat?”This from a tall man Jacob didn’t know. “The rules were clear! No sabotage! The owner needs to do something about this!”
Shouts of agreement echoed around the businessman. Jacob felt bad for him, but it was best to steer clear of the group. The last thing he needed was to get pulled into an argument that had nothing to do with him. Besides, being associated with that team had given him enough trouble.
Still, had the other dig been sabotaged? Who would attempt to steal tools and smash bones in broad daylight? Who was that bold?
Jacob rubbed the side of his face.
He prayed for the men he’d worked with before. They needed Jesus as much as he did. He didn’t have a right to bitterness and anger, but the memories of the conversations he’d overheard rang through his mind. To his knowledge, that team hadn’t followed through on any of their threats to Martha’s team. But those who’d made the threats couldn’t be trusted, that much was sure.
He rounded the corner, and at the sight of the boardinghouse looming into view, he sighed. Hopefully the dinner his landlady had tonight would be filling.
A foot crunching on gravel behind him startled him from his thoughts. He glanced behind to see who it was, but something hard connected with his jaw. His head snapped back with the force of the punch, but before he could get his bearings, another fist slammed into his right eye. Pain coursed up his chin and through his head as he tumbled onto the ground. Blackness danced around the edges of his vision.
Jacob tried to prop his body up on his elbow to see who was punching him, but he had no time.
A boot slammed into his stomach, stealing his breath. Another fist slammed the top of his skull. Agony rippled down his spine as another foot slammed into his back. He curled into a ball and tucked his hands over his head.
Punches and kicks rained down on him. How many men were there? Two? Three?
“Think you’re better than you should, Duncan.” Another punch to the head.
“Putting on airs, think you’re fancy as the foreman of another team?” A hard kick to the shoulder.
“Shoulda known your betrayal would come back on you. We know it was you. Smashing bones, stealing tools.”
