The Fox (17 page)

That night, back at the inn, I asked Marc to call and ask George Wyemouth to come while I was on the phone looking for more money for the project. I now had employees and tests to pay for. With George’s connections to labs he could get our items carbon dated quickly. Without his help, it would take months to get results. I didn’t have months.

In the second of my four days, we found a bronze blade similar to the one the farmer showed me last fall, more pottery, and two postholes. I was giddy after the postholes became visible. “This could be the reason to open a bottle of champagne!” I laughed. Marc stood next to me and I pulled myself up on tiptoes to kiss him. As I started to go back to level ground, he grabbed my waist, looked into my eyes, and said, “Congratulations, Aine. You may have a viable site.” He let me down and shrugging his shoulders said, “And I may have to stay another week just to see exactly what is here.”

I don’t usually notice sunsets while I’m working. At that time of the day, I am in the tent, helping sort all the items we’d exhumed during the day. This one, however, pulled me into a whorl of feelings. I noticed the pink colors floating around me while I was walking from the tent to the Rover to get my coat. I glanced up at the sky but I wasn’t expecting the grandeur that overcame me. The daytime scattered alabaster cumulous, and steel gray nimbus clouds wore edges of cyclamen pink. The sun was just sitting on the cusp of the three hills across the pasture.

“Everybody, come see this! Wow!” I said.

Lauri and Kendy came out of the tent and looked around. Kendy said, “It’s beautiful. Sunset is the best time of the day. I use these colors in my art at home all the time. They are so peaceful.”

Lauri continued, “Ohh. It’s wonderful. Whew, just look at those clouds on the horizon, though. I’m sure glad we covered everything. I think we may have a gusher tonight.” Tarps, weighted with stones, covered our working area.

Marc walked over, and I shivered in the cooling air. I snuggled into the warm curve his arm and shoulder made as he opened up his coat and gathered me into it. I sighed, knowing I could get into trouble with this man all too easily. I felt a stirring of interest in his body vibrations and wondered what he was thinking.

“I don’t think I’ve taken the time to see one of these in a long time. It’s pretty good,” Marc said. He turned to take in the sight behind us. “Look! Up on the trail. There’s a last bit of sunlight hitting that pile of rocks. It looks like a beam from a ray gun on a spaceship! Kapowie! Rocks and bad guys, gone! Hey, is there a good movie playing in town?”

The mood ruined, I said, “I swear I’ll never get used to you guys and your lack of romance. Just go and let me look for a few minutes.” I shoved him off with my hands. He left his coat on my shoulders and walked to the Rover to get CDs to use for a backup for his computer.

The sky went from a light blue to a smoky-lavendar in about two minutes and the clouds from rose to mauve with it. I was enjoying every moment and turned back to the mountain behind us to look at the trail where Marc’s imaginative laser beam was pointed. The light was still being concentrated on the spot through a trick of the clouds, but a few shadows were beginning to creep up. Suddenly, I knew I needed to go get a closer look at that pile of rocks. No big revelation or scene in my head, just the certain knowledge that I was going there tomorrow. If it did rain, I hoped the weather cooperated and the rain would stop early in the morning. I didn’t want to climb it in a storm, but there wasn’t a question of going; I was going. I memorized the rocks and boulders nearby, and knew I could find it in the morning.

Back at the tent, the team was talking about the latest sci-fi movie they’d seen and the one they hoped to catch tonight. “Aine, we’re going into town for dinner and to catch a movie. Coming?” Marc asked.

“Sure, this may be the last good night out I get for awhile,” I said, knowing my evenings would be taken up by deciphering the day’s work the further along we got. I wanted this dig to be perfect.

“Let’s take the Rover and the van so we don’t have to cram into one car,” suggested Marc. “Put the box of pottery and the blade in the back of the van and Matt and I’ll take it to Mrs. Dingleberry’s. Tim can take the rover with Aine, Kendy and Lauri and we’ll meet you there.”

We got into Fort William about an hour later and found a café next to the movie theater that was showing the film we wanted to see. It was one of the Ring movies, and we were all excited to have a night off to enjoy it. Marc and Matt arrived thirty minutes behind us.

“Marc,” I asked, “how long until the registration of the site is done, and when is George getting here?”

“A few days, and tomorrow. The Scottish Historical Association will process our request for listing on the monuments list, and George will get in on the morning train. I thought you and I could wait here tonight and bring him back to the dig in the morning. He gets in around eight,” said Marc.

A chorus of catcalls and laughter went up from the rest of the team at that suggestion. The other customers in the café looked at us, and found a noisy group of disheveled friends.

“No wonder you wanted to bring two cars. We thought that was a bit extravagant of the tight Scotsman in you, Marc,” said Lauri. “A night in town with a lady!”

“No, no!” Marc said. “I was thinking of your comfort! Tim is always complaining about not having enough room for his 6’5” frame and size 13 feet!”

“Now don’t you go pinning this on me, Marc. I can fold up nicely when needed,” said Tim.

I listened. Heat climbed up my back, around my neck and infused my face at these remarks. “If Marc and I decide to stay, it will be in separate rooms. There is nothing else to it, and I will thank you to stop this!” I said. “Anyway, I didn’t bring clothes or anything else for overnight so I probably won’t stay.”

Marc said, “Don’t worry, there’s a small shop where we can get whatever we need.”

That encouraged them, of course, and when we got into the movie, I was upset with Marc for putting me into this position. I angled my way around everyone else until I stood next to him as we slipped into our seats. “What was that all about? What’ve you been saying to them that has them thinking we are a couple?”

I wondered if I wanted us to be a couple. What would be wrong with having Marc as my lover?
No, I don’t want anything permanent now. I’ve work to do to get my career on track. But just one night, what could that hurt?
I searched through my pockets for my antacids.

Just the truth,” he said. “I told them we enjoy working together, that I respect your knowledge and decisions and would follow you to the ends of the earth if you asked.” His eyes told me he was teasing.

I turned to slap his shoulder in response, and he gently caught my wrist. I tried to twist it away and was surprised by his eyes. They sparkled. They actually sparkled in that dim theater light. He smiled and kissed my fingertips. I gasped, then, unasked, my fingers touched his lips and my eyes welled with unshed tears. The movie started, and he held my hand through to the end. I don’t remember the plot.

The exiting crowd escorted us outside. “Thank heavens the rain hasn’t started. I hate driving on these single lane roads in the dark as it is. I can’t imagine doing it in a storm, too,” Matt complained.

“What? Driving in London is easier? Don’t be a bloody galoot! Just pull into the turnouts when you see headlights and wait for them to pass. The Hielans will appreciate you not trying to race them through the straights. Too many tourists try that and lose so let’s keep the natives happy, right?” said Marc, reaching into the van and pulling out an overnight bag. How unfair that he packed for tonight and I didn’t.

“Yes, we Highlanders use our road kill in haggis, remember? So do take care on the lo-o-ong road back,” Matt said. I laughed. They climbed into the van and waved as they left.

“I have reservations at the Caorann Inn for us. Come on let’s walk. It’s a few blocks from here.”

“Right. I’m glad it isn’t raining. It’d be a mess to work in the morning if it were. I’ve something I want to look at, and I wouldn’t want to do it in a storm.”
Here I go again. Why do I feel the need to talk? I know. Being alone with Marc is making me nervous. I want to be here but what do I expect?
“I’m glad George is coming. I know we’ll find something great and I want him here to see it. He’s helped me all through my career, and even before, in school. I appreciate him.”

“Aine!”

“Yes?”

“Shut up!”

We walked quietly the rest of the way to the inn, watched over by Ben Nevis, the air smelling of the expected rain.

The inn was built with the magpie construction that was so popular, trying to look historical. It was modern inside, and I was glad to see the farce wasn’t carried any farther than the exterior. Marc had reserved one room with twin beds.

“When I called, they were full except for this room. We’ve shared tents before so I figured we could share this room. I thought of calling somewhere else, but I’ve stayed here and liked the location, the view, and the name of this place. So….”

As I walked to the window, I noticed the room smelled like Mrs. Dinglberry’s inn, lemon wood wax. I lifted the curtains and said, “There’s a gorgeous view of the mountains, even with the clouded sky. But the name?
Caorann?
Rowan? Why do you like the name?”

“It’s the wizard tree. I thought I could use a bit of magic to get you to stay here tonight. It is my favorite tree because of its magic. Wizards, witching wands and such.”

“Hmm. Well, here we are,” I said as I turned to the hospital-cornered beds. “Which bed do you want? These are longer than the beds at our inn. I’ll bet your toes hang out over the end of those elfin beds,” I said, chuckling. “This will be a treat for you tonight. Well, I need to go to the store to get the things I need for tonight. Where did you say it was; close by?”

“Not too far, but I don’t think you’ll need much,” he said as he picked up the overnight bag, opened it and dumped it out on the bed. Out fell his change of underwear, toothbrush, and shirt, followed by my undies, bra, shirt, and shampoo. He’d even remembered to bring my toothbrush and hairbrush.

Surprised, I went through the items. “Wow. You take big chances, Marc. How’d you know I’d say yes to staying?”

“I knew you couldn’t resist helping me pick up George. Here,” he said, unzipping a side pocket of the bag. “I hope you won’t be upset by my touching it without your permission, but I hoped you’d share a bit with me tonight.” He pulled out my precious bottle of Lagavulin, wrapped in a towel.

“Oh, thank you, this is perfect. A dram of the lovely will hit the spot right now. Would you pour for both of us, please?”

We made ourselves comfortable in the overstuffed armchairs that crowded the room, sipped our drinks, and discussed the day. “We’d a bit of good luck finding more pottery and the set of postholes today. The pottery should be able to give us a date. The postholes are a sign of inhabitation. We may have a hillfort!” I said. “My name will finally be first on an excavation report. I’ve been waiting a very long time for that to happen.”

“Yes, I agree, it looks as if there might be something here. Let’s give it a bit more time before we start claiming what it is, however. It could be a simple travel hut for a hunter, and we won’t find anything else. We’ve only been digging two days. You should’ve heard the story I told George to get him to come here! You’re going to owe me for a long time. We’d better find something big soon, or he may disown you as a friend.” Marc smiled. “But don’t worry. Yes, your name can go on the report first.”

Suddenly, a flash over-filled the room with light followed by a loud, rolling, rumble reminding me of boulders being tossed in a flooding riverbed.

“What the–? Oh my gosh. It must be pouring,” I said as I got up and walked to the window. It was covered in rivers of water.

I’d been standing there but a few seconds when Marc came up behind me. I felt his body heat.
Oh, please touch me,
I thought. My breath left my body in a rush. I loved this man, I was just realizing it again after so many years. My mind was spinning. After Brad, I swore off love forever. Marc kissed the back of my neck.

That did it, any resistance I’d had was gone. And he knew it. I melted against him and he caught me in the circle of his arms. He smelled like the ancient earth that we were digging in today, full of mystery and truths. I turned to face him on tiptoe, barely reaching his Adam’s apple, and kissed him as he leaned his face down to mine. His beard was softer than I thought it would be, and I inhaled the fumes of the aged Lagavulin on his breath. I reveled in the sense of protection I found next to him. His hands came up into my hair and cradled my head. I was enchanted. Yes, Caorann was the right name for this inn.

We broke apart, breathless. I looked into his eyes. “Marc. Where did this come from?”

He wrapped his arm around my waist, and said, “Aine, I loved Darlene. I’m glad I’d those years with her.” He paused for the length of one breath. “But, you were my first love. I was working up the courage to ask you to marry me when Brad stepped into the picture so many years ago. It killed me to watch your career fall by the wayside, and I thought you were out of my life forever. I tried to tell you that he wasn’t doing right by you a long time ago but couldn’t.”

“You knew and just stood back and watched?”

“You needed to find out on your own what a loser he was and fight it on your own. That was the only way you’d be free from him,” he said.

Memories slammed into me, and I tried to catch my breath as he said, “Look Aine. I was disturbed when I left your room the other night, but I figured I’ve known you for a long time and you’ve made some stupid decisions in your life but you’ve never seemed crazy. I don’t owe you anything. Hell, you owe me. You left me for Brad.”

I cringed when I heard the pain in his voice but kept my eyes on his. There was nothing I could say in the face of the truth of his words.

“I went a bit crazy for a while. I decided that I’d never love anyone else. I was really messed up. I followed everything that you and Brad did and watched you as he took your life away. Don’t get me wrong. Darlene was wonderful. I’m glad she was a part of my life and I never cheated on her. I loved her and she still has a place in my heart but she never took your place. You had a hold on me that I can’t explain. I never seemed whole. Now, maybe we’ve another chance, and even though I am scared of getting hurt again I don’t want to miss it.”