“Yeah, but I assumed you’d have your phone. What were you photographing, the eighteenth century?”
It could have been the past, given the near-total absence of civilization. “I was deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Not a lot of cell towers.”
“You must have had satellite phones?”
“Yes, but people were using them to play Candy Crush.”
“Haha.”
Even if he’d wanted to call Hildy—or anyone else—it wouldn’t have been an appropriate use of resources. And there wasn’t a lot of privacy at camp. Certainly not enough for the kind of conversation he wanted to have.
Jefferson had wondered more than once if Libby would try to call while he was away. It seemed important that she be the one to contact him, so he’d know he meant more to her than a temporary distraction. The problem with this approach—well, one of them—was that she didn’t have his number.
He probably should have asked Hildy for advice. It would almost have been worth the I-told-you-so’s.
“What if it was an emergency and I needed to get ahold of you? Did you think about that?”
She was softening him up for something; he could tell that much over the phone.
“You’re a resourceful person, Hildegarde. I’m sure you would have figured it out.”
“Damn straight. Which brings us back to the reason I’m calling. Remember when you had to save me from my own poor choices, because of the blizzard and all?”
“It rings a bell.”
“Well, now it’s my turn. You’re welcome.”
He had a hunch she wasn’t talking about surviving a night outdoors. “Could you be more specific?”
“I have your next job lined up.”
“You’re giving out assignments?” Jefferson tried to phrase it delicately. As far as he knew, Hildy was headed back to college in the fall, dreams of launching a magazine temporarily on hold.
“Work experience, babe. I set it up with my adviser. I’m finishing my last year off-campus so I can do what I want and still get enough credits to graduate. Technically I’m assisting the features editor at our Chicago paper, but that’s a side hustle while I firm up the business proposal for my magazine. And then, look out world! It’s Hildy time.”
“Good for you. I’m impressed.” Although it was a little deflating to learn that Hildy had fixed her life in a matter of weeks, while he was treading water, never getting closer to shore.
“Thanks, Reluctant Father Figure. That means a lot, coming from you. So, about this assignment?”
Despite his better judgment, Jefferson was curious. And his calendar wasn’t exactly jam-packed. “What is it?”
“That’s complicated.”
He felt the first stirring of alarm. “Does it involve wildlife?”
“Not as such. Although, when you think about it, we’re all part of the animal kingdom, aren’t we?”
The sigh stayed on the inside. It was his own fault for getting his hopes up. “Then I don’t see how I can help you.”
“Come on, JJ,” she whined. “Just say yes. Do this one little thing for me. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“So it’s a favor for you.” That made a lot more sense.
“Let’s call it a mutually beneficial arrangement. What if I told you someone was trying to steal something precious from me? Would you or would you not rush to my aid?”
“Hildy. Surely you know the story about the girl who cried wolf?”
“I’m one hundred percent serious! I have turf to protect. Help me, Jefferson Jones. You’re my only hope.”
