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22
Elizabeth sat on her couch Sunday night, looking through her emails, while Will cooked them dinner on the grill. Her eyes scanned down the “from” column of her email, and one from Bill Collins—with a subject of “Travel”—caught her eye, and she opened it.
Elizabeth,
Just wanted to give you a heads-up—there is a very good chance you'll be sent to South Carolina in early August to do some research at ACE Basin. I'm sure you understand what a huge opportunity this is. Your name was put forward once again, and I told NOAA and the people at the oceanographic that I would make sure you were available. You're looking at two weeks down there at the most. As soon as I know the exact dates, I'll be sure to let you know.
See you Monday.
Bill
Elizabeth’s eyes widened.ACE Basin!If she was given the chance to study and do research there, even if itwasonly for two weeks, she would be thrilled. It would make the two months of working on the eutrophication project well worth it.
At almost 135,000 acres, ACE Basin was one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the East Coast. It was fed by three large rivers which were surrounded by cypress swamps, rice fields, and tidal marshes. The three rivers converged at St. Helena Sound, a marine researcher's dream. The diversity of the marine life found in the estuary was astounding.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Will came inside. “Steaks are ready.”
“Okay. Oh, shoot, the salad. I'll throw it together quick.”
“I can do it if you're busy.”
She walked up behind him in her little kitchen and kissed his back. “No, I'll do it. I was reading an email from Bill and got distracted.”
“Why, did he propose?”
She pinched his bum. “No, wise guy. I have the chance to travel for the eutrophication project. There's an estuary in South Carolina that I've always wanted to see, and to actually have the chance to do fieldwork there...I can't believe it. I mean, I don't know if it's definite yet, but...I would love to go.”
“It sounds amazing. How long is the trip?”
“Two weeks,” she said, and sliced a tomato.
“Wow. See that? You thought those algae blooms would be boring, but they've brought you this great opportunity.”
They ate on the deck, and Elizabeth eyed the spot in the sand where she could see remnants of the firepit. Will had filled it in on Friday morning before they left for the Vineyard, but the indentation was still there. She smiled as she thought about that night, every single moment of it still so vivid in her mind.
Her phone rang, and she glanced at him apologetically. “Sorry. Let me see who it is.”
She retrieved her phone from inside the house, but when she saw Lydia's name she chose not to answer and went back outside.
“It was just Lydia. She and Charlotte both texted me today, inviting us to Madness tomorrow night.” She grinned when he grimaced. “Don’t worry, I don’t want to go either. Though it would be nice to dance with you.”
“We’ll get to dance next weekend at the benefit. They’ll have a band or an orchestra or something.”
“That’s right! I get to see you in a tux. Is Richard still coming?”
“As far as I know. I already paid for our table—I bought a table for ten, but we might have a couple of extra seats. Initially they were for Caroline and whoever she wanted to bring, but she’s no longer welcome. Richard is bringing three guests. I’m assuming they work for RJD.”
“What about Georgie? Maybe she’d like to go.”
His eyebrows rose. “Hm. Maybe.”
“You should ask her.”
After dinner and cleanup, Elizabeth sat on the couch and opened her laptop. She was determined to get a little more work done, so Will grabbed a book she had about the history of the Cape and settled into a chair across from the couch.
After an hour she glanced over at him. “Pssst.”
He looked up, and when she patted the cushion next to her, he put the book down and went to join her. “All done?”
