The Last Dig Page 16
“The FBI is so irritating. They’re a bunch of arrogant SOBs. I hated the idea that I had to release the prisoner to them today after court. I don’t have a lot of confidence in them. They bungled the job before. If it hadn’t been for that Priest never would have been able to come here, kill Baker, and frame you for the murder.” Caroline listened to Rand as he talked about the situation and why it bothered him.
“I guess the best we can hope for is that they don’t screw it up again and this time he actually goes to prison,” Caroline remarked after a while. She pulled the garlic bread out of the oven and poured the spaghetti into the colander and then into the bowl.
Rand came up behind her and kissed her on the neck and ear. “How are things going for you, hon?” he asked.
“Okay. We’re moving slowly along digging the T-rex. We’re starting to get ready to close the site down for the winter. I talked with Patty, my boss, on Monday, and she offered an alternative to my working the dig sites.”
“Really? What did she offer?” Rand grabbed the bowl and the bread and put them on the table.
Caroline poured the sauce in a bowl. “She recommended that I work in the lab three days a week and then work at home two days, in kind of a satellite office type of thing.”
“That has possibilities.” Rand sat down at the table. “But knowing how you love doing digs, how will that work for you?”
“You know, I’ve got a reason now to just do lab work. I’ve got you and our future family to think about. I am more interested in doing the lab work, but I don’t like office work.” Caroline passed the bowl of spaghetti to Rand.
“So, is this something you might like to do?”
“I think so. Although, I am thinking four days in the lab, and one day at home.”
“You could still do the dig sites here at Hell Creek State Park during the summer. You would be able to drive to work at the site and be home in the evenings. I’m sure there are a lot more dinosaurs over there,” Rand pointed out.
“Yes, that’s possible.”
“I have another possible solution, I think, to the driving back and forth, which is a two hour drive one way. We could put this house up for sale and buy a piece of property I know of out by highway 200, almost to highway 24. It’s located just on the border of the county line, keeping me inside the county, which is where I’m supposed to be, yet, closer for you to get back and forth to work.”
“You’d really do that for me?” Caroline asked Rand. She stopped eating to look into his eyes.
“Yes, I’d do that. I’m not thrilled about having you driving two hours to Glendive, work about eight to ten hours at the office, and then drive two hours back. You’re looking at fourteen hours a day! Even for three days a week that’s a long day.”
Caroline thought about it for a bit. Rand had a strong point. It would be a very long day for her, not that she wasn’t used to putting in long hours, but the drive would be hard, especially in the wintertime.
“I never thought of it that way, Rand. It would be a long drive, and in the winter, it could be treacherous. I guess then, I’ll tell her that I accept the position and see if they will let me do summer digs here at Hell Creek State Park.”
After eating for a few minutes in silence, Rand asked, “Do you have a specific date that you’d like to get married?”
“I’d like to do it as soon as possible, while my parents are still here, and I’d like a small wedding, nothing big and fancy.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” Caroline laughed at his surprised look.
“Do you think November is too soon?”
“I think November is perfect for us to get married,” Caroline agreed happily.
* * * *
Caroline continued the dig until the first snow came in mid-October. She decided that she would work at the lab most of the time, and she would plan to do digs at Hell Creek if there were any to be dug and found that she didn’t have any regrets about her decision. She would devote herself to studying paleontology in the lab at the North America Museum of Natural History three or four days a week so she could have more time to spend with Rand and the family they were planning to have. Patty agreed that she could work dig sites at Hell Creek State Park if any became available.
Caroline put her house up for sale in Glendive, and Rand put his house up for sale in Jordan. They found land that they were able to purchase near highway 200 and highway 24. They were also looking at floor plans and getting ready for their wedding.
Most of the wedding plans were being made by Rand’s and Caroline’s mother and Penny. The only stipulation Rand and Caroline insisted on was that they wanted a small wedding.
On the day of the wedding in mid-November four inches of snow fell. Caroline’s mother, Rand’s mother, and Penny joined her in the dressing room of the church while she fussed with her dress. Caroline had chosen a simple calf-length dress, antique white, with a lot of lace across the bodice, chest, and neck. She had chosen to leave her hair down the way that Rand liked it.
Caroline and Rand had a quiet ceremony in the small chapel part of the church next to the large auditorium. All of Rand’s family and all of Caroline’s family were in attendance. When Caroline walked into the chapel with her father, Rand’s eyes lit up, and he smiled widely as she came up to him. He whispered to her, “You look beautiful.”
“You are quite handsome yourself,” she whispered tenderly back at him.
* * * *
That night, in their hotel suite, Caroline called out quietly, “Rand?”
“Yeah, honey?” he whispered, lying on his back with one arm across his forehead.
“How do you feel about starting a family right away?”
“As soon as you’re ready… Are you saying...” He sat up slightly and looked at her.
Caroline nodded. Her eyes were lit up and she smiled. “Yeah, I’m saying I’m pregnant.” She sat up in the bed and smiled down at her husband, then bent over and kissed him on his lips.
Rand rolled over and ran his hand over her belly possessively as he kissed her.
“I love you, Rand,” Caroline whispered.
“I love you too, honey,” Rand professed as they delved into that enchanted bliss they enjoyed so much.
About Constance Bretes
Constance Bretes is an author of contemporary romance and suspense. Her books are often set in different parts of the country, but her favorite site is Montana.
She’s married to her best friend and resides in Michigan with him and a houseful of cats.
When she’s not at her regular 8 to 5 job, she can be found writing, researching, and spending time with her husband.
Constance’s Website:
www.conniebretes.weebly.com
Reader eMail:
cbretes@sbcglobal.net