There had also been the matter of leaving the comfort of the others to accompany Jonathan to this spot, but she rationalized her actions in that she was well within screaming distance.
Besides, Jonathan had been a perfect gentleman this morning. Maybe he felt guilty for his behavior the night before, as well he should. Whatever the reason, his focus today clearly centered on the work. His excitement had spilled over in his voice as he’d followed the coordinates on his handheld GPS device to lead her here. Based on his latest research he was positive, he’d confided, that this would have been the spot where the peoples he sought would have staged a camp.
He simply wanted some concrete proof before he shifted the whole operation to this spot. Proof she’d known she could give him the instant she allowed her feelings to spread out in search of what might lie underground. Artifacts! Bits of history calling out to her to free them from the layers of dirt within which they lay hidden.
“If we can find one of their campsites, I’m certain we’ll find their ceremonial stones,” he’d told her, his eyes glittering with excitement. “And once we’ve found that, all my theories will be confirmed.”
No stones such as he sought were in this area, she was sure of that, but she didn’t say anything to him. There was no way to explain how she knew it with such certainty and, anyway, there were plenty of bits and pieces left behind by the people who had passed through here. More than enough to justify her working this area today.
And now she’d found this lovely piece. The handle looked as if it had some sort of intricate carving, but it would be difficult to say for sure until she could free it completely.
The fine mist of rain that had begun at some point while she’d been engrossed in freeing this artifact complicated her work, but she didn’t want to stop now. She was too close to leave this little treasure exposed to the open elements.
The sound of a car motor in the distance jolted her from her concentration, and she sat back on her heels, realizing as she did that she’d once again spent much too long in one position.
Even as the first sound faded, a second started up and rapidly faded away, too.
What the heck?
She tipped her head, listening intently for any sound coming from the direction of the main dig activity. Why would someone take the vans and leave everyone stranded out here in the middle of the afternoon? Especially with the rain picking up again.
Closing her eyes, she concentrated to catch any sounds. The mist hitting the leaves of the trees and brush around her was all she could hear.
That made absolutely no sense at all. There was always some type of noise with a group the size of theirs. Unless the group was gone.
What a ridiculous thought. They wouldn’t leave without her. Even if no one else remembered her, Mackenzie’s ever-present clipboard would have prevented anyone’s being left behind.
She pulled off her vest and staged it across the ribbon surrounding her hole in an attempt to protect her find and then rose to her feet. Her legs tingled with lack of use and the blood rushed to her head in a dizzyingwhoosh, forcing her to pause for a moment before starting off.
Pushing through the trees toward the main site, she moved as quietly as possible, listening for the normal noise she’d expect from the group.
Nothing. Not a single sound.
“Mackenzie?” She waited in uncomfortable silence for a response, picking up her speed when none came. “Anybody?”
Even before she’d made it all the way through the trees, she could see what her mind didn’t want to accept.
The site was empty. No vans, no people, nothing but rain peppering down on the canvas covers they’d left behind.
A lurch of disbelief tracked like a shot of nausea through her stomach. Disbelief and hunger. She’d skipped breakfast to avoid bumping into Jonathan, and she’d been so involved in following the vision in her head to the artifact underground, she’d completely forgotten lunch.
“I don’t freaking believe this.” Propping her hands on her hips, she scanned the area again for any sign of her group.
They’d abandoned her. Wet, dirty, hungry, “And pissed,” she announced emphatically to the empty site. “Totally pissed as hell!”
Just wait until she got her hands on Mackenzie and that piece of crap clipboard of hers.
“There you are.”
Abby barely avoided a full-scale scream when Jonathan emerged from the trees behind her.
“What the hell, Jonathan? Where did everyone go?” And, more to the point, why did they go without her?
“When the rain started to pick up, I sent them on ahead. I’d just checked on you and saw that you were immersed in your work so I thought you’d prefer having the extra time and riding back with me. Besides, we’ve barely had a moment alone together for the past week. My car is parked only a short walk down the road.”
Damn straight they hadn’t had a moment alone. She’d had to put a lot of effort into arranging it that way, too. All that careful maneuvering for nothing. No avoiding him now. Best laid plans and all that rubbish.
“Why don’t we secure your site before we go? I take it you found something? I saw you’d left your vest there.”