“But then you could have been bitten.” I waved a hand. “Youhave nothing to be sorry for. I chose to take that risk when I removed the spider from your shoulder.”
He studied me closely. “The students were very worried. Especially, Aaric. He looks up to you.”
I smiled. “He’s a sweet young man. And very smart. We’re lucky to have him on this team.” I flipped a page in one of the open field guides. “Now, what are you working on?”
“While you were resting I decided to develop a lesson for our students.”
My brows rose in shock. “You’re taking the initiative to teach? Look at you, actually working.”
His eyes twinkled. “I work plenty, sunshine. I just like to have fun while I do it.”
“What’s the lesson? How can I help?”
“It’s already finished. You can help by standing here and watching the chaos ensue.” Liam picked up two folded pieces of parchment and held them up.
“Chaos?”
“You’ll see,” he replied. “Are you two ready?” Liam called across camp. Sylvie and Aaric rose from where they were reading in the hammocks nearby and made their way over, stopping before Liam.
He handed them each a piece of paper. “Don’t open it until I say.” He pulled a pocket watch from his trousers and checked the time. “When I tell you to begin, you may open your paper. You will have one hour to identify each item on the list, collect it, and bring it here to the research tent. Whoever collects the most items and identifies them correctly, wins.”
“What if we both collect them all?” Aaric asked.
“Then whoever does it the quickest is the winner.”
I crossed my arms. Of course, Liam would make teaching into a game.
“What’s the prize?” Sylvie asked, bouncing on her toes.
Liam gave me a mischievous grin, then turned his attention to Sylvie and Aaric. “The winner gets to sit with DoctorThornheart and pick her brain about any academic topic they want to.”
“Really? Even research projects you haven’t published yet?” Aaric’s eyes lit up as he looked at me.
I straightened, forcing a smile. “Of course.”
Liam stared at his watch, lifting a hand and raising three fingers. “Three…two…one…begin.”
Sylvie and Aaric frantically opened their lists, excitement written in their expressions. They both snatched several specimen jars and darted toward the trees in different directions.
Once they were out of earshot, I wheeled on Liam. “How dare you offer that without asking me first?”
“You could have said no.”
“Not in front of our students. Not when I saw how excited they were by your offer.”
“You don’t want to disappoint them? So you really do care about your students…”
I placed my hands on my hips, staring him down. “Of course I do. I can’t believe you would question that.”
“You’re right. I apologize. Well, why are you so upset then?”
“I’m notupset?—”
“You’re upset.”
“Don’t interrupt me. I’m not upset. I’m frustrated because you gave me no time to prepare.”
“Prepare? The prize is they get to pick your brain. How do you even prepare for that?” he asked, bewildered.
