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I nodded, forcing myself to breathe. “That’s good. You need to make an informed decision.”
“You said many spirits were released from Popogusso. Do you have to send all of them back?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. This didn’t exactly come with an instruction manual.”
He was silent for several moments. “Will you need me here in Manteo very often after my two weeks here are up?”
I leaned back on the stool. “I don’t know. If you’re asking if I think this will all be resolved in two weeks, then the answer is no. I don’t see how it could be. I guess we can correspond remotely once you’re back in Chapel Hill.”
“And what if I wanted to be more hands on?”
My heart beat faster. “What do you mean?”
He kept his voice neutral. “What if I accept and I want to spend more time in Manteo? How would you feel about that?”
“Oh.” I set my tea on the counter, worried I’d drop it. HowdidI feel about it? If he were here, he’d be more readily available when I needed him. And it would be easier to make sure he was okay. But that would mean he’d have to upheave his entire life. I was already asking so much from him. It didn’t seem fair to ask this too. “I don’t want to inconvenience you.”
His eyes lit up. “I assure you that this is something that interests me. I could see more of these things for myself.”
I tried to hide my own excitement. If David was here more often, that meant I wouldn’t be doing this completely alone. “But what about your job?”
“I spoke with someone at the foundation this afternoon about setting up a sabbatical at the archaeological site for the fall semester.”
The blood drained from my face and I felt light-headed.
Worry flooded his face. “Does that upset you?”
I shook my head.
“Talk to me, Ellie. Did I overstep my bounds?”
“No. The opposite. I can’t believe you might actually behereto help me.”
“It’s not official. I still have to get permission from the foundation and the university, but I suspect it will all go through.”
“I don’t know what to say.” I looked up at him. “Does this mean you’ve made a decision?”
“I promise, I’ve given the proposition extensive consideration, but I knew this morning that I would accept.”
“I don’t want you to do this because you think I don’t have anyone else to help me.”
“I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t part of the reason, but the biggest reason is that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’ve read and studied the texts, but this is my chance to see everything firsthand. It’s a historian’s dream.”
“But it’s dangerous. I might not always be able to protect you.”
“Did it ever occur to you that I’m worried I might failyou? My first task—a huge one—has been unsuccessful so far. I haven’t found Ahone’s symbol yet. My friend didn’t find anything before he overnighted the books to me. At this moment, you’re no safer than you were before you met me.”
“You might find it yourself when the books arrive tomorrow.”
“I hope so. And like I said, I’ve sent out word to a few colleagues. But we should also step up the search for your father’s notes.”
I leaned on the counter. “Myra remembered something this morning. She said that Daddy had started scribbling notes the week after the curse broke. And at one point he showed her this old ring he said I needed. She thought he was being delusional at the time, but she realized that it might be important. She said he told her I needed time.”
“Time for what?”
“I don’t know and neither did she.” I closed my eyes. “I wished I’d been around more that week to ask him questions instead of putting all my trust in Collin.”
“Ellie, you had no idea he’d betray you, and your father had full-blown Alzheimer’s. Of course, you were counting on Collin to help you.”
