Dream Wedding(48)

But all that would be different now, she told herself. There were other people around. She had to remember they were both here to work.

A tall, skinny man with a scruffy beard looked up at their approach. He wore thick glasses and baggy clothes. He had a clipboard in one hand and a handheld tape recorder in the other.

“Arizona!” he called when he spotted them. “I heard you were coming to check out what we found.”

“Hey, Jeff. Good to see you.” They walked over to him and the two men shook hands. “This is Chloe Wright. She’s a reporter.”

Jeff shook her hand and winked. “He’s all flash, no substance. Don’t let him fool you into thinking otherwise.”

Chloe found herself smiling at the rumpled man. “I’ll do my best to remain objective.”

Jeff returned his attention to Arizona. “We’ve found more artifacts. Some tools, bowls, nothing that will interest you.” He slapped his friend’s back. “The amulet is in here.”

He led Arizona toward one of the larger tents. Chloe fell into step behind them. As they walked, she glanced around and tried to get a feel for all the activity. Long wooden tables had been stacked with bowls, stone disks and knives. There were open crates and two women filling them with the stone objects.

Every time they walked by someone, Arizona called out a greeting. He knew them all by name. He had a few teasing words for each of them. Chloe was reminded of the reception, where he’d known as many guests as she did, and she’d lived in Bradley all her life. She supposed it was just his personality. He enjoyed getting to know people and they wanted to know him.

“In here,” Jeff said, motioning them inside one of the largest tents.

Arizona let his backpack slip to the ground before entering and Chloe did the same. There were more tables set up in here, she noticed as they entered. The objects littering the surface were small and delicate. Some were wood, a few cloth. Despite the canvas flaps rolled back to let in both air and light, the area smelled musty.

“We found it in what we thought might have been a wooden box. Unfortunately, it disintegrated when we moved it. But the amulet is intact. There are a dozen or so stone beads. Very round with a tiny hole through the center. We figured it was part of a necklace of some kind. How they made the stones so small and perfect is anyone’s guess.”

Jeff stopped in front of a table in the rear of the tent. “I’ve already finished the paperwork. You just have to sign for it and promise you won’t lose it.”

Arizona smiled. “I’ll be careful.”

“I know. That’s why I’m releasing it to you.” He glanced at Chloe. “We have some sandwiches left over from lunch if you want them.”

Her stomach growled. “Sounds great.”

“Help yourself when you’re done.” He picked up a rectangular acrylic case that was about six inches square and handed it to Arizona. “Good luck. I’m curious to hear what you figure out.” With that he waved and left the tent.

Arizona lifted the cover and stared down at the small round stones. Chloe moved closer. One of the stones was larger than the others, and more oval than round. There was some kind of carving.

“A child sign,” he said, and put the oval piece in the center of his palm. “That’s a sleeping baby or young child.”

She looked down and saw what looked like a cross between a crude drawing of an infant in a cradle board and a baby seal. The ridges underneath looked fluid to her.

“Water?” she asked, pointing.

“Probably. These dots up here—” He indicated the top half of the stone “—are stars. The tiny crescent is the moon. The water indicates a journey or travel. The birth of a baby, or a prayer for a baby to be brought to the family? Maybe a wish for a dying child to have safe passage to the next life.” His voice was low and intense. “I’ll have to start researching this fairly soon. I’m not going to have much time.”

He muttered a few more sentences, then seemed to get lost in what he was studying. Chloe didn’t mind. She moved away and bent over a few of the tables, trying to figure out what had been unearthed.

This was, she acknowledged, a different world from her own suburban life. Arizona was unlike anyone she’d ever met. Yet there were many things about him that called to her. His kindness, his intelligence, his humor. She found him physically attractive—she liked the feel of his body next to and on top of hers. She respected him.

She glanced back and saw him carefully weighing the round stones and the amulet itself, then making notations on a card. Their relationship just wasn’t about sex—at least it wasn’t for her. And that thought terrified her. If it was only physical, it would be so much easier to put into place. As it was, she was confused. What did it mean that Arizona had entered her life? What was she supposed to do now? The obvious answer was that she was supposed to enjoy the fun while it lasted, then forget about him when he left. It made sense. What other choice was there?