Page 24 of Temple of Swoon


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“Co-lead,” Quinn said, his calm demeanor starting to fade. “I’m curious, though. Tell me, Miriam, why do you think that is? Frankly, you’re lucky to even be here, if you ask me. It must be nice to have your friend giving you favors, but some of us have actually earned our spot on this expedition.”

Miri opened her mouth to fight back, but nothing came out. What could she really say anyway?

“Dr. Jacobs? Dr. Quinn?” Anissa called from the other end of the hallway, interrupting their conversation. “Everyone’s packed and the vans are ready to go.”

“Great. We’ll be right there,” Dr. Quinn called back before returning his attention to Miri and lowering his voice. “This discussion is over. No more going rogue. No more surprises. I’ll respect you if you respect me. I’ll be waiting for you in van number one and you’re going to fill me in on the drive. And after today, all decisions need to be agreed upon in advance.”

They had a long driveahead of them, so the group split into the two vans, all twelve of them being unable to fit into one. Miri and Dr. Quinn’s van led the convoy, with Rafa in the front beside the driver, guiding them with the GPS. They sat in the back row so they could talk without distraction as they went over the updated itinerary, but her mind wandered every few minutes, shifting from the expedition to her job, and then to the secret she kept tucked in the side pocket of her cargos.

Each bounce of the van refocused her attention to Dr. Quinn with various shades of greens and browns blurring inthe background of the windows. She hadn’t looked up the directions to Caracaraí in advance, but she hadn’t expected to be so deep in the rainforest so soon. She also hadn’t expected it to be so bumpy.

Hmm…I wonder if there’s a spa at Florestacasa…

Maybe a glamping resort wouldn’t be so bad after all. Rafa’s hearty laugh from the front passenger seat stole her attention and sent a flurry of butterflies to her stomach. A massage package for two, perhaps? With champagne—ooh! No, with caipirinhas and—

“Eh-hem.” Dr. Quinn cleared his throat, staring at Miri staring at Rafa.

She quickly wiped away the silly grin she’d had plastered over her face and returned her focus to Dr. Quinn’s narrowing gaze.

“Sorry,” she said, pushing her glasses back up her nose. “I was…was thinking about how I spilled that brown sauce all over my boots last night. Funny, right?”

“Hilarious,” he deadpanned. “Anyway, now that I have a better idea of the plan, when we get to Florestacasa, I’ll go over the specifics with the team while you sort out the reservation details.”

Miri’s eye twitched. “Or you can wait for me. Co-leads, remember?”

Dr. Quinn sighed, closing his small leatherbound journal in his lap, and turned ever so slightly toward Miri before placing his hand on her forearm. “Why don’t you let me take things from here? You’re clearly distracted, and your panicked expression at the announcement last night didn’t exactly instill confidence in the rest of the team.”

She pulled her arm away, trying not to cause a scene in thepacked van. Fortunately, the others carried on as if Dr. Quinn and Miri weren’t even there, paying little attention to the conversation they’d been having. But Dr. Quinn wasn’t her boss. And he certainly wasn’t her dad. So it was time he stopped treating her like he was.

“We were all expecting Corrie and Ford to lead this excursion. Forgive me for appearing surprised to learn that wouldn’t be happening. My reaction was no different than anyone else’s. Yours included.”

Dr. Quinn chortled. “I already knew about Drs. Mejía and Matthews. I knew because Anissa had already informed me that I’d be taking over. That surprised look on my face was in response to learning that I’d be mentoring you in addition to ensuring that this expedition is a success. So, no, Miriam. My reaction wasnotthe same as yours.”

“What happened to ‘I’ll respect you if you respect me’? I thought we were making decisions together?” Miri asked.

“We are making this decision together right here and now. It just makes more sense if I’m the one who heads the discussions with the team, is all. Perhaps you didn’t realize this, but Iamthe world’s foremost expert on the subject.”

“Yet Corrie and Ford still thought you needed a partner. Why do you think that is?” Miri cocked her head to the side as she stared pointedly at him.

His eyes homed in on hers. “I don’t need your help.”

“Well, too bad. Because you’re going to get it.”

“We’ll see who’s running the show in the next few days when this little detour you’ve taken us on proves a waste of time. I mean, Serra da Mocidade? Really?” he questioned, rolling his eyes. “I’ve been studying the Moon City since before you were in high school. I think I would have figured that out by now.The only reason I’m even entertaining this diversion is so the rest of the group sees what you are.”

“And what’s that?”

“A nobody. A fraud.” He glared at her.

Miri fought the urge to pull out the medallion and wipe that smug grin off his face. She may not have beenthe world’s foremost experton the Cidade da Lua, but there was a reason Corrie had trustedherwith the clues and not Dr. Quinn.

It was time to put Dr. Quinn Medicine Man in his place.

“I don’t appreciate—” Miri started, but was quickly interrupted by a commotion at the front of the van.

“Watch out!” Rafa yelled at the driver.

“Porra, porra!” the driver called back, sharply jerking the steering wheel.