“Exactly,” he says. “Is this something you can test at Save the Soil?”
I shake my head. “We tend to stay away from toxic dumps. But this doesn’t look good at all. The reservoir’s right behind here, isn’t it?”
Brayden looks toward the hill. “Shit. I didn’t think about the runoff going that far; some of the town’s water supply comes from that reservoir.”
Pulling a second glass jar out of my bag, I take Brayden’s shovel and dig deep enough and close enough to the container until I think it’s a pure soil sample. Then, I take a second core sample and put it into another glass jar just to be sure. I seal them both up, and together Brayden and I cover up the hole we made.
I stand up straight, and we cross over the fence back into Big River Ranch. “I can take a quick look at the soil through Phillip’s scope. Then I’ll talk to someone at Save the Soil and see what can be done about testing it.”
Brayden rubs his jaw. “I’d rather you not say where it’s from straight away. Chuck Easton’s not in the best health right now.”
“I understand,” I say. “But this could be a serious public health concern. Do you think the owners are in on it at all?”
Brayden shrugs. “I don’t think so, but that’s why I want the results back before I ask him.” He stops in the middle of the path and turns to me. “I shouldn’t have gotten you mixed up in this. I’m sorry.”
“I’m not sorry,” I say. “You did the right thing. Is it okay if I mention it to Phillip? He may have some ideas on how best to test the sample.”
“As long as he’s willing to wait for the results before he acts,” Brayden says.
“My parents are away, or I could ask them,” I say.
“Did your parents travel a lot for work when you were young?”
“They did. They were trying to save the world.” I stare up at the dark clouds filling the sky. “Still are.”
“What about just being parents instead of heroes?” Brayden asks.
My jaw drops as I make eye contact with him. “Nobody’s ever said that. Everyone always admires them for their courage and says how lucky June and I are to have such great role models.”
“I’m not saying they aren’t good role models. I’m just saying—where were they when you needed them?”
Usually on a fishing boat somewhere, or camping in a third world country where they were completely unreachable, or standing behind a podium with several hundred people watching them from their seats below, learning from and admiring their field research.
“We had a really great nanny,” I mumble as I clench my fists.
Brayden starts to laugh.
“What?” I say. “We did! Her name’s Annette, and we’re still in touch with her.”
But Brayden’s still laughing. And it’s contagious. I start to laugh too, despite myself. I laugh until I cry. And then that turns into a couple of real tears, something I rarely do and never in front of others.
Brayden runs his hand down my arm. “Hey. You’re okay.” His voice is soothing and strong. It’s safe. “Did they ever take you with them?”
“Once.” I wipe away the lone tear that made its way down my cheek. “It was a two-week trip to Belize, and June and I had school break at the same time. We were so excited to get to go, until the first adventure, where we had to wade across a low-lying river. The waters were very calm, but then the guide told us to walk quickly because there were alligators, and we were terrified.” I shudder even now. “I was convinced I’d be the one to feel those huge teeth around my legs. We made it safely across, but then June spilled a little water out of Dad’s jar specimen he’d collected. He said she contaminated it.” I let out a deep breath. “They decided it was better we stay home after that.”
Brayden watches me, looking like he wants to say something more. But then we head for the horses and mount them in silence.
* * *
Luckily, the soil samples are securely wrapped up and tucked away, inside the glass jars I placed in my waterproof bag, because the skies open up on our ride back to the barn.
It pours—I mean itpours—for our entire return trip.
My hair is plastered to my neck, and as we ride into the barn, my jeans are so wet against my legs that I get stuck sliding off Dolly.
Brayden and I take off the horses’ saddles and bridles, and then we make sure to brush them down and dry their coats as much as possible. After leaving them in the dry barn with fresh water and food, he and I head for the front of the barn.
“I’ll go get the truck and come get you,” he says.
