Seven

Amber lay on the sofa, nursing a mild concussion. Besides that, she’d miraculously only suffered a few scrapes; and her ankle wasn’t even sprained, just a tad swollen. Still, the doctor had given her a painkiller, which she’d gratefully taken—mostly to numb the pain in her heart.

She felt like such a—

Someone knocked on the door. Amber shifted on the sofa to get the door.

“Don’t you even think about it.” Muriel glared at her and rushed to the door.

She had offered to bring Josh out for Amber, but Amber refused her kindness, instead considering Muriel’s allergies. Amber relaxed and closed her eyes, wondering who it could possibly be. No one ever came to the cabin. Whoever it was, Muriel would send them away.

Nestled on the sofa, she could easily drift to sleep.

A familiar voice resounded in the room. Dr. Selman? Amber’s eyes popped open to see the man himself standing before her. Stunned didn’t come close to what she felt. She pushed to sit up straight, sending pain through her head. She grabbed it.

“No, no. Please stay right where you are. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Amber swallowed, uncertain why he was there. “I wasn’t asleep. Just. . .resting.”

“Good. I’m sorry I disturbed you. But I wanted to express my sincere apologies for what happened to you today.”

A woozy feeling came over her. Oh, no. The drugs were starting to kick in. She focused hard on his face and on listening to what he’d come to say. His lips were moving. . .what was he saying? What had the doctor given her again? This felt much too strong.

He pressed his lips tight. Had he done that before? She leaned closer.

Close enough to see his stubble, some graying near his chin. His aftershave smelled great.

Amber glanced over at Muriel who sat in the chair across from the sofa. Dr. Selman sat on the edge of the coffee table and took Amber’s hand. She stared at her hand. It looked so small in his. Why was he holding her hand? His touch was warm and reassuring. She put her other hand over his then smiled up at him.

He didn’t smile back but frowned instead. “Maybe this wasn’t the best time.”

“The best thime. . . ?” she heard herself ask, the words sounding funny.

“When you’re feeling up to returning to the museum, I don’t want you going back to the field. We’ll find you something else to do.”

Had she misunderstood? “You don’t want me in. . . ? Because fell?”

“Miss McKinsey—”

“Mith McKwinsey? My name Amber?” She looked at her hands, trying to recall what happened. “See?” She held the palms of her hands out for Dr. Selman. “Just a fwew scrapes.”

Dr. Selman stared at her with an odd look. “I wanted to tell you in person, so you wouldn’t take the news the wrong way.”

His odd look turned to pity. All the hurt she’d been holding inside seemed to burst from her in a torrent of words. It felt good. Too good, and she couldn’t stop them. Didn’t want to. “Why?” she asked through racking sobs. “You’re overweacting. I feel. . .everything wrong.”

Without knowing when or how, she was against his shoulder. “Why can’t I do. . .something. . .right?”

The tears continued as Dr. Selman held her. What was happening? Why was she crying on his shoulder? Oh bother. . .

“Shh. . .” Dr. Selman gently patted her back.

Though he seemed stiff, his embrace felt good. The awful tumble down the slope rattled her mind again, yet in his strong arms she felt protected and safe. The tears finally came to an end. She was quiet and felt sleepy. So sleepy. Just let her stay right where she was. . .

When Amber woke up, she was covered with a blanket, the lights were low, and there wasn’t any Dr. Selman in the room. Had it all been a dream?

“Good, you’re awake now.” Muriel said, and handed her a cup of something warm. “Green tea. Drink up.”

Feeling better and like the wooziness of the medication had worn off, Amber sat up and took a sip. “Thank you. You don’t have to take care of me, you know. But I appreciate it.”

Muriel sat across from her and smiled gently. “Funny thing. I want to do it. My mom is a nurse; she’s a nurturing person. I got that from her, I guess. I wanted to work at the digs to see what I wanted to do with my life. Become a nurse, or a scientist.”

Amber couldn’t help but smile. “And now you find yourself taking care of me.” God had a sense of humor, no doubt there. She took another sip and watched Muriel over the rim of her cup. Could she share that? How could she, when she was still unsure of her own heart toward God? Better to wait until everything she could say about Him sounded the way it should.

“I’ve got a late supper cooking. Chicken noodle soup. One of Mom’s recipes.”

Muriel’s talk about her mom reminded Amber of her own mother and loss. Loneliness filled her with a deep cold. She needed to talk about something else. “I had the strangest dream.”

“Oh yeah? What was that?”

Amber chuckled into her cup. “You’d laugh.”

“Oh come on. Tell me.” Muriel handed her a bowl of the soup. “Eat up. And in between spoonfuls, I want to hear your dream.”

“I dreamed Dr. Selman was here.”

Muriel laughed.

“See, told you.”

“I’m only laughing because that wasn’t a dream. He was here.”

“What?” Amber sat up straight and quick, sending an ache through her head. She grabbed it and waited until the pain subsided. “I can’t believe it. What did he want?”

“Why don’t you tell me what else you think you dreamed, and I’ll tell you if it happened.”

Amber leaned against the sofa back and sighed. “Must have been the medication. What a time for that to kick in. I dreamed. . .oh how embarrassing. Please don’t tell me I cried on his shoulder.”

Muriel stood up and took Amber’s empty cup. “You did, chickadee.” With a grin she headed to the kitchen.

Amber groaned and rested her head against the sofa. “How embarrassing. What am I going to do now? I’m just such a mess—”

“I thought it was cute, actually.”

“Cute? I feel like I’m bungling everything. And here I wanted to make a great impression. . .oh wait, did he come to dismiss me?”

Muriel laughed. “Are you serious? Just the opposite. He wants you to work with him in the museum.”

Amber felt her jaw drop. He wanted her actually with him? This was what she had hoped for. . .but not quite like this. “Did he mention what I would be doing?”

“Something about museum displays. He was impressed with your bobblehead arrangement.”

Amber and Muriel both laughed because Amber had shared about the disastrous display.

The soup was good, and Amber allowed the warmth to lull her while she considered what happened.

Muriel broke the silence. “Though I think he’s just concerned, wants to make sure you’re safe. . .honestly? I think Dr. Selman might have a thing for you.”

❧

Later that evening, after the museum had closed, Brandon stood in his office, hitting his head against the filing cabinet.

“Looks serious,” Jim said from behind.

Brandon froze. He thought the guy had already left for the day. He gave the filing cabinet a good-fisted thump then composed himself, turning to face Jim. “Can’t a guy blow off some steam?”

“Sure he can. Mind telling me what’s bothering you?” He cracked a half grin and grabbed a chair, making himself comfortable as if they were the best of buddies.

Brandon was in no mood to talk, even to Jim, whom he’d known for years. Funny thing, that. Jim had jumped at the chance to become curator of the Harrington Museum when Brandon began assembling his team, but they’d never been close. Still, Brandon didn’t need to be friends with his employees, he just needed them to do their jobs.

He studied Jim, aware that he was waiting on Brandon to spill. So, why was it that lately Jim was getting on his nerves?

“I’m guessing this has everything to do with the new intern’s accident today?” Jim asked, apparently unwilling to wait on Brandon’s response.

This was going to be a long night. Brandon sat behind his desk, feeling the weight of exhaustion on his shoulders, and hung his head. “Yep, you guessed it.”

“Jason said the errant boys and their father left the tour, but the rest followed him over to view the T. rex dig site, and the way he made it sound, they were all so excited about seeing it, they probably forgot about the girl.”

“Fire him.”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Jim stared, pausing before he replied. “But Jason’s been with us—”

“He signed an at-will contract, right? You’ve already put him on probation for not following the rules, right? On a fossil dig, people get hurt when rules aren’t followed. The guy’s burned out. He messed up big-time as far as I’m concerned. He shouldn’t have left Amber.”

“Amber? Oh you mean Miss McKinsey?”

When Brandon didn’t reply, Jim continued. “Jason has accompanied her on the tour now for several days. She should have been fully capable of taking care of the small group. If anyone needs dismissing—”

“Stop.”

“We’re down too many people already. Miss McKinsey clearly isn’t cut out for this. Jason is experienced—”

Brandon had enough and threw up his hand. “Follow the correct procedures, but I want him gone tomorrow. And Amber. . .I’ve moved her from the field.”

Jim’s mouth dropped open. “But who’s going to take their place?”

“I don’t care. Find someone. Combine the groups. Figure it out, or lead the tours yourself.” Brandon couldn’t stop the harsh rush of words, but Jim had managed to pick the wrong time to question him about the day’s events.

Jim stood. “Considering what happened before, I’d think you’d be more sensitive to how things look. And right now, my friend, it looks like your motivation—especially where this girl is concerned—is questionable. Why are you protecting her? If anything, it should be my call. You said you didn’t want to be involved with the interns, remember?”

Brandon grabbed his suit coat and swung it over his shoulder then held the door in silent warning. Jim walked through and headed to his office without another word.

Once in his car Brandon sagged against the seat. The day’s events had spiraled out of control and they just kept going. No matter what he did, he hadn’t been able to rein things in. Then, hoping to make sure things were all right with Amber, and there wouldn’t be more problems, he’d stopped by her cabin. Big mistake.

He hadn’t intended to ask her to work with him. But with her in his arms today, sobbing—though he assumed it was due to the medication—he’d heard her heart and probably much more than she’d ever intended, or ever would under normal circumstances. Then, something inside him snapped, and he’d forsaken his rule, digging in deep this time.

She most likely wouldn’t remember anything, but then her roommate was there, watching him with her eagle eyes. She’d remember. Muriel would probably blather about Amber in his arms, sobbing until he quieted her, soothed her. She’d remained in his arms far too long, seemingly comforted until he finally realized she’d fallen asleep. As she rested there against him, he could feel her softness, smell her hair, but then he felt her roommate’s stare.

What was he doing? What must she be thinking?

He’d then gently settled Amber onto the sofa and tucked the blanket around her. Again, under Muriel’s watchful eyes. Just as well—he certainly wouldn’t want rumors to fly had he been caught alone with Amber. However, they were likely to fly anyway.

He could see the small-town headlines already. Harrington Museum’s director said to comfort beautiful volunteers. Brandon wasn’t certain what damage control he could do now, except. . .dismiss her as Jim suggested. To protect the museum, volunteers and interns also signed an at-will contract as though they were museum employees but if someone didn’t function well in the environment, he or she was simply asked to leave. He’d certainly not intended for Amber to work directly with him, but neither could he bring himself to dash her hopes and dreams because of his own past and weaknesses or to protect his own skin.

What kind of cad would he be to do such a thing? He pounded the steering wheel, noting Jim’s car sitting a few spots away. Jim was wrong. Brandon was making every attempt to be sensitive to his peculiar situation. He’d do everything he could to shove aside his personal feelings for her, act like a professional, and give a budding young museum director or paleontologist the chance she needed. People had taken a chance on him, and more than once.

As he drove from the parking lot, he pondered the news about Amber that Muriel had shared with him.