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ChapterNineteen
For the last hour, Rick had busied himself preparing the topographic maps for next week’s survey, but he couldn’t concentrate. His mind kept flashing back to Olivia, alone in that ravine and struggling to breathe. He couldn’t forget the way she’d trembled when he held her in his arms. She should have been resting at camp with a cold drink instead of pleading her case to Dr. Roth.
When Grant returned to the lab alone, Rick’s fear escalated. Where was Olivia? Had Roth decided to let her go? If he sent her packing, she’d be devastated. Worse yet, she might never venture into the field again.
He couldn’t let that happen. If he could catch Roth alone, he’d speak on Olivia’s behalf.
Leaving TJ in charge of their team, he took off, intending to jog over to the field house. But when he walked past the women’s sleeping quarters, he stopped short. Olivia sat on the porch, staring out into the distance with a vacant look. Though she’d taken off her socks and hiking boots, she hadn’t yet changed out of her survey clothes. “Olivia?”
“Hey, Rick.” Her voice lacked its usual cheerful enthusiasm.
“Are you okay?”
She gave him a slight smile. “I feel like you ask me that a lot.”
He sat on the porch next to her. “Sorry. But you almost died today. Then you took on Grant in full view of the field school and insisted on an audience with Roth. I’ve been waiting to find out what happened, especially after Grant came back looking smug as hell.”
Rick had spent the last hour envisioning worst-case scenarios—something he rarely ever did. More proof he was getting in too deep with Olivia.
“It’s all good,” she said. “Roth wasn’t even mad at me. In fact, he was pleased at my ability to use a map. I also told him this incident wasn’t your fault. You scored major points by rescuing me from imminent death.”
“That’s such a relief. Thank you.” He reached over and took her hand, stroking her palm gently. “I was so proud of you for standing up to Grant.”
“Thanks. It wasn’t easy, but on the walk back, I found out why he doesn’t like me. Maybe he’ll ease up now since I…” She pulled her hand away, looking uneasy.
“You what?”
“Grant asked me if you and I were involved. Not asked as much as hinted. He’s been paying attention.”
Of course he was. He couldn’t wait for Rick to screw up again. “We haven’t done anything wrong.”
“I know, but we need to be careful. He already has it out for you. And if I get in trouble again, Dr. Roth might not be as forgiving. Especially if…”
“If what?” An iron band tightened across Rick’s chest.
“If he thought I got lost today because I was distracted. Because of us. Together. I can’t mess things up with him.”
“But—”
“Let me finish. When Grant asked me if I wanted to switch teams, I said yes. I’ll be working with Stuart next week.” Her gaze sank to her feet. “I think it’s for the best. The less time you and I spend together, the safer we’ll be.”
Her words stunned him. How had they gone from furtive kisses to this? “That’s it? You’re going to ignore the connection between us?”
She wouldn’t meet his eyes. “What connection? I fell in love with you when I was nineteen. I’m not that person anymore.”
As the frustration built up inside of him, he made no attempt to hide it. “Then who exactly was I kissing when we dug that test pit? It sure seemed like you. If memory serves me correctly, you were as into it as I was. The same with that day on the beach.”
When he placed his hand on her thigh, she turned to face him, anguish swirling in her deep brown eyes. “We just can’t. Okay? It’s too risky.”
“Tell me those kisses meant nothing.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “They meant everything. I wanted you to keep going. I wanted you. But we can’t break the rules again and hope we don’t get caught. Didn’t you learn anything from Clear Lake?”
Her stubbornness was maddening. “This isn’t the same. We’re not breaking any laws. We’re two consenting adults who want to spend time together.”
“Two adults with targets on our backs. Don’t you get it?”
“I don’t. Because these aren’t actual rules we’re talking about—they’re Grant’s attempt to control us. And he’s full of shit if he thinks Roth cares about any of it.” At her wounded look, he softened his tone in the hope of persuading her. “We still have almost four weeks left. Don’t you want to enjoy them together?”
