“What about Wade? Does he live here, as well?”
“Wade lives in the family mansion in Dallas. It’s close to the airport and built for entertaining and meetings. Since Wade does most of the traveling and entertaining, it works out well.”
“And what about you?”
He shrugged. “I live here and there, wherever I’m needed at the time.”
“So you were telling the truth that night in New Orleans.”
He laughed. “Yeah. For the most part. But I can honestly say I’ve never spent a night under a bridge.”
“You did look like a bum.”
“That wasn’t exactly the plan, but it had a good outcome, don’t you think?”
“I have to go this way,” she said, turning away and purposely not answering his question.
“Tallie, why don’t you let someone else look for the artifacts?”
She shook her head. “I could use the help. I won’t deny that. But it’s my dig, Cole. I promised my grandmother I would find the proof that an ancient tribe lived in this area. It’s my responsibility. I intend to shorten my work days and not be out in the heat so long. I’ll be careful, but I must try and find...what I’m searching for.” Whatever that turned out to be.
She could tell Cole wanted to argue with her; she felt his body tighten. But he said nothing and for that she was grateful.
“Then I’ll see you later.”
“Absolutely.”
A week later Tallie had barely finished her morning tea, which she still took outside the trapper’s cabin even though she was now living under Cole’s roof, when a strange car rolled up to the site. The doors opened and four young women got out of the vehicle; the driver remained at the wheel. They all walked toward Tallie, excitement on their faces. Before Tallie could ask who they were and why there were there, Cole’s pickup pulled up next to the car. He got out, grinning from ear to ear. Yep. Whatever this was, Cole Masters was behind it.
Their eyes met and his sparkled with mischief.
“Good morning, Dr. Finley,” he said as he nodded to the four women. “Have you met them yet?”
Tallie shook her head. “No.”
“Carolyn Hicks, Amy Knell, April Hastings and Kathy Brown. These exceptional students all have a perfect grade-point average and are majoring in anthropology or archeology at area universities.”
Cole had a smile that reminded her of the fat cat that ate the canary.
“They all applied for internships at various museums for the summer. All were turned down because of budget restraints. I managed to correct that small issue and here they are. Ready to go to work. They are actually excited to help you dig in the dirt. Go figure.”
He turned to the four students. “This is Dr. Finley. She is the one you will be helping.”
Tallie was speechless. “Do...do any of you have any experience?”
All but one raised their hands. The one who apparently didn’t have experience looked anxious.
“Well, if you have an idea of what this is about and can dig carefully, I can teach you the rest. Welcome. And thank you all. I really do need your help.
“Look in the back of my old wagon and you will find a box with extra hand tools and brushes. Get a small hand shovel, a four-inch rake and two brushes—one small, one large. The site is that way. If you grab your supplies and head over toward that sifter, I’ll be with you in just a few minutes. Did everyone bring water bottles?”
They all nodded; two of the women held theirs up.
“Good. Hop to it.”
“I can’t believe you did this.” Tallie turned to Cole.
“What? You don’t want them?”
“No. Yes! They’ll be great. I was about the same age when I was selected for my first dig. It will give them valuable experience and help me, as well. Thank you, Cole.” And without thinking she bounded into his arms and hugged him tight. “Thank you so much.”
She felt his arms go around her back and squeeze her gently to him. Then his arms dropped and she stepped back.
“You’re welcome.” She couldn’t miss the twinkle in those hazel eyes. He handed her a manila envelope. “Inside is the basic information on each student and their signed wavers. I’ll provide a place for them to stay and all the meals.”
For the first time in what felt like forever, Tallie was speechless.
“Tallie?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Let’s just say I want my field back.”
“But all of this trouble...it must be costing a fortune.”
“It’s really not that much. I want to do it, Tallie. I look at it as a donation. Find your artifacts. I want to see your face when you show me the first one.” He must have seen her look of astonishment because he made no attempt to hide his grin. “I’ll catch you tonight.”
Tallie stood in the shade of the giant oak tree and watched until he drove out of sight. If she was dreaming, she never wanted to wake up.
The girls proved every bit as knowledgeable and eager as she’d first surmised. She gathered them in a small circle and explained what they were looking for. She couldn’t tell them they were looking for a new civilization, but did confirm they were searching for artifacts from a tribe that dated back several thousand years.
“Beads, pieces of jewelry, pots in part or whole,” she told them. “Keep an eye open for anything that looks like it could be made by man. Also, you might happen on petrified seeds, plants or bulbs. There are two grids. Two of you take one, the other two take the second. If you find anything you can’t identify, set it to one side for me to look at. Do you have any questions?”
Once all the questions were asked and answered, Tallie left them and walked closer to the cliff. Through her binoculars, she again searched for any sign of caves or openings between the massive rocks and boulders. The same dark, shadowy area she’d spotted last week still called to her. It might be worth the effort to climb up and check it out from a closer viewpoint. But in her condition, she didn’t know how a climb like that would be possible.
With stakes and string she outlined a third grid and got to work. The hours flew by. It was almost two o’clock when she heard a strange honk and looked in the direction from which it came. It was a bus. No. An RV. Followed by a car. The massive recreational vehicle came to a stop just to the other side of the old trapper’s cabin. The sight brought Tallie to her feet. Cole had said he was going to provide lodging for the students. And here it was.
“Hey, guys,” she called to the college students, “I’ve gotta return to the cabin for just a few minutes. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Take a break and make sure you stay hydrated!”
Dropping her tools, she jogged in the direction of the RV. The driver, a robust man in his fifties, was just stepping out when she reached the door.
“Good afternoon,” he said. “Are you Dr. Finley?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Clay with Big D RVs out of Dallas. If you wouldn’t mind, I need you to check the RV inside and out. If you find everything is okay, I’ll ask you to sign that you received the vehicle and all is in order. First let me get it set up. Is the location okay or do you want it moved?”
“It’s perfect where it is.”
“Good. There is some leveling we need to do and it has four extensions, plus the main compartment will about double in size. Let me get the TV and all the extras set up then I’ll need you to give it a look.”
When he was done preparing the RV, Tallie stepped into the amazing vehicle.
Clay adjusted his cap, scratched his chin and gazed longingly at the river. “Any fish in that stream?”
“I think there might be, yes. You’re welcome to see for yourself.”
“Good. While you do the inspection, I think I might have a look.”
The RV was enormous. She had no idea a recreational vehicle could be so luxurious. There was a master bedroom plus two smaller ones, a whirlpool tub, even two, big, flat-screen TVs with satellite, one in the master bedroom and a larger one in the living area. The entire vehicle was actually larger than her apartment. The air-conditioning was pure heaven. It contained state-of-the-art appliances, granite countertops, even a small chandelier in the main living area. And the kitchen was fully stocked.
As she stepped outside another car drove up and a man got out holding several large boxes of pizza and a case of sodas. “Dr. Finley?”
“That would be me.”
“I’ve got your lunch. Where would you like me to put it?”
Tallie knew Cole was behind all this. He had said he would provide a place for the students to stay and all meals were on him. “Put them over on the porch of the old cabin for now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said and walked in that direction.
Jogging down the hill, she gathered the students and told them about the pizzas and soft drinks. That seemed to lighten their mood even more.
They all gathered on the rickety porch and didn’t hesitate to open the boxes and grab ice-cold cans of soda.
“When you’ve finished eating, you are welcome to go inside the RV and check out your new home.” They all looked long and hard at it. First one then all headed in that direction, forgetting about the food.
Cole Masters was a take-charge kind of guy. If she accepted this, what was next? Her heart missed a beat at the thought.