“I’d like that.”
He led her away from the tents, away from the sounds of hammers and chisels, away from anyone who might be able to hear them.
“Did you hear back from Mr. Carnegie and Dr. Masterson?”
“I did.” She pulled telegrams out of her pocket. “Dr. Masterson was appalled that someone would impersonate him and wanted to speak with me about the details when I return home. And Mr. Carnegie was upset about it because he thinks it was someone who wanted to attack him and give his work a bad name. I spent a great deal sending them both long, detailed responses because I couldn’t wait for them to know the whole story.” She curled her fingers around the slips of paper and kept her eyes on the packed dirt path. “Once it was out there, I felt a lot better. Mr. Carnegie was disappointed about the situation, but he said he would take care of it. Dr. Masterson said that his imposter knew far too much about him and was concerned he might do it again.”
Devin scratched the side of his face. “I don’t know what I would do if I found out someone was impersonating me. On the other hand, being an English professor isn’t as glamorous as paleontology.”
Eliza let out a little chuckle. “Oh, I don’t know. The steady job of an English professor looks pretty enticing right now.” She bumped his shoulder with her own, then continued. “Dr. Masterson even said that yes, he was a new believer and was doing exactly what our fake Dr. Masterson said he was going to do. He’s concerned about his research and his wife and new baby. Which is completely understandable.”
“Was he upset with you?”
“No.” She glanced his way, giving him a small genuine smile.“And that was a great relief, as you can imagine. But the situation is still a mess for him.”
Devin could only imagine the headache Dr. Masterson had on his hands with an imposter on the loose. “Once things calm down, you’ll have him in your corner and will be able to correspond with the man you’ve looked up to for a long time.” He nudged her with his elbow. “You can tell him the truth from the very beginning.”
Another smile lifted her lips. This time, it filled her face. “You’re right, I just hate that I was a part of this fiasco.”
They walked several more paces in silence.
Each step made Devin’s pulse pound harder. He had so much to say to her it felt impossible to formulate a coherent thought. It was time.
Lord, help me.
Once they were out of sight of everyone and everything, he stopped and turned to her. “Eliza. I need to say something.”
She waved her hands in front of her and shook her head. “No. I’m the one who needs to say it. I’m sorry. Sorry for the mess I caused. Sorry for dragging you into all of it. Sorry for asking you to lie for me. I’m sorry for all of it.”
Did they really need to go into this again? Still, it wouldn’t do to snap at her right before he shared his heart. “I told you already that it was forgiven. We’ve been friends far too long to let something like that come between us.”
Eliza nodded. “I know that. I just feel so horrible about it.” She paused, then caught his gaze with her own. “I’ve decided to help here and with the dig out at the Meyer ranch for a few more weeks. Train Deborah a bit more. Then I’m coming home. As much as I love all this, I think I’ve caused enough trouble out here. It’s time I rethink things. You know?”
What? What had happened to her? “No. Idon’tknow. And frankly, I think you’ve lost your mind. What happened to Eliza Mills who would drag her best friend all over God’s creationjust so she could dig up a few bones?” He stepped closer to her, grabbing her hand. Why couldn’t she see the truth? “What happened to that girl who was so excited about what she learned reading a boring research paper that she couldn’t wait to tell her tutor and friend? And what happened to that young woman who went to college to study paleontology and couldn’t wait to tell her best friend about her studies? Every. Single. Day.”
“She failed. That’s what happened to her.” She handed a piece of paper to him.
He took it and unfolded it.
You are a disgrace to women everywhere. Just look at all the trouble that has arisen since you’ve been here! You are a sad example to our young people, touting your science, wearing men’s trousers, and carousing with men. We will not stand for it. Go home.
He wadded up the paper and threw it. “How exactly have you failed?”
Eliza threw her arms wide, her voice thick with frustration. “Did you not read the letter? I’ve let people down. I haven’t been a good example of my faith. I even heard Mrs. Adams tell her daughters that just because I wore pants to dig in didn’t mean that it was appropriate for women to dress in such a way.”
Devin inhaled a sharp breath. She was pouting like she had when she was a child. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You are being utterly ridiculous, you know that? What are you so afraid of?”
Her eyes snapped to his, eyebrows drawn tight together.
That got her ire up. Good. Her needed her to pay attention.
“Ridiculous?”
“Yes.”
She huffed and lifted her chin. “Who says I’m afraid of anything?”
He shook his head. “You. You were afraid of telling the truth. You’re afraid because some people have attacked you. You’re afraid of continuing on with what you love now. So I’ll ask it again. What are you so afraid of?”
