Her Dirty Archeologists by Mika Lane

13

FLEUR HOLMES

“Good morning.”

I stood in the doorway to Drake’s huge tent where he sat working at the makeshift desk he’d set up. There were a couple Isaac Asimov and other nerd books scattered on the floor next to it.

I didn’t know how he could keep his tent flaps open all day. He’d told me it was for fresh air, but all I could think about were the scorpions that could walk right in.

What if he were stung? We were an hour from the closest village, and probably more than that from real medical care.

As it was, Jonas had a nasty gash on his hand and wouldn’t let me near it. Not that I was Florence Nightingale—I just knew that if he didn’t keep it clean and protected, he’d be in for a world of hurt. Literally and figuratively.

I just wasn’t going to think about it. I could only control what was in my power, and that was to keep my tent sealed up like a vault. Nothing was getting in there. Ever. Except for me.

He pressed his lips together like he always did when I interrupted him. We’d been working together for so long I knew his every facial expression. Although, lately, he’d been more grumpy than usual toward me.

Was it because he thought I wasn’t pulling my weight? That I couldn’t pick up on what needed to be done?

Doubts raced through my mind, like they pretty much always did when it came to things around school.

So I’d decided to double down, and learn so much so well that he couldn’t possibly have a problem with me. As it was, I wasn’t getting much work time in the dig, anyway. I mean, I knew Penn and Jonas needed more time to do the actual excavation, but I could get started on something, I’d think. It was like they were protecting me or something, constantly keeping an eye on me, checking in, and making sure I didn’t wander off too far.

Not that there was much danger of that. No, I was happy to stay close to the camp. My encounter with my first scorpion was quite enough for the time being, and who the hell knew what was going on with the thieves they’d been preoccupied with, which I wasn’t supposed to know about.

“You’re done already?” he asked.

I clasped the reports he’d loaned me. In my drive to become indispensable, which started with learning all I could, I’d hit him up for some new resources to study. I’d be that much more valuable to them with an understanding of the ancient painted pottery we were looking for, and when the time came, could even take on writing the first draft of the resulting report.

“Um, yes. They were super informative,” I said, smiling broadly.

What I didn’t tell him was that I’d been staying up nearly half the night reading everything. Again, to impress him.

Didn’t everyone want to impress their boss? Especially when he looked like Drake Bancroft?

He ran his fingers through his hair, normally each strand perfectly in place. But today he was deliciously messy, and his facial scruff from days of not shaving gave him a slight bad boy, I-don’t-give-a-fuck look.

To top it off, there was a smudge of dirt on his forehead, his shirt was covered in dust, and there was a tear in the side of his shorts where they’d caught on something.

Such a far cry from the buttoned-up professor who wore Ferragamo shoes.

And it was totally cool. I loved seeing him through this lens, where he was completely in his element.

So sexy.

Not that I should have been thinking about things like that, especially after I’d messed around with Penn the night before. And kissed Jonas just before that.

I guess there was something about the desert air…

No. That was total bullshit. I was surrounded by three gorgeous men, and if they were interested in me, I might want to be interested right back in them. Other people were having fun—why shouldn’t I?

Seizing the opportunity to show off, I started babbling.

“I liked how these reports opened by laying out their plan of attack and their expected results, and then summarized their discoveries. The only thing I’d do different is to add a section for unexpected findings—”

“Fleur, what are you doing right now?” he interrupted.

I looked at the reports in my hand and then around his tent. I’d been about to mention my new understanding of soil discoloration, and its implications.

What did he mean, what am I doing?

“Um, talking to you.”

He looked at his watch and got to his feet. “No, what I meant to say was that I need to head to town to pick up some supplies. The guys next door will watch things for us. Do you want to come?”

Oh. Shit. I wasn’t so sure about that. I’d heard the local village was teaming with people who chased after visitors until they’d received a hand out.

Not that they didn’t deserve a hand out. I just wasn’t sure I was up for that.

But he didn’t wait for me to answer. “C’mon,” he said, pulling on his boots.

I grabbed my purse and followed him out to the Jeep, where Penn and Jonas were already waiting. They nodded their hellos, and I jumped in the front seat with Drake, grateful they both acted like nothing had ever happened between us.

The ride to town was bumpy and dusty, but also beautiful in a minimalist sort of way. I was beginning to see how people could be fond of the desert. It wasn’t a place I planned to spend much time hanging out in, but the appeal was legit.

I rifled through the secret pocket of my purse and pulled out the wad of cash I’d hidden there.

“Holy crap. What are you doing with all that money?” Drake asked, glancing at the pile in my lap.

“Oh, you know, my dad always said to travel with some cash in case something happened.”

After I counted my money, I slipped it back into my purse.

Drake shook his head. “You can’t carry that much money around in your purse. Put it in your pocket. A buttoned pocket.”

I felt my shorts. “I don’t have a button pocket. Just these open ones.”

He sighed. “All right. Give it to me, then. For safe keeping.”

He held out his hand.

So pushy.

“How do I know you’ll give it back?” I teased.

Was that tittering in the back seat?

Drake tried not to smile. “Very funny.”

His hand remained extended.

“I… I don’t know. I mean, I guess I shouldn’t carry this much cash around, but how much safer is it to give it to you?”

I glanced back, where the guys were grinning.

One of the twins extended his hand over the seat. “I’ll hold it for you, Fleur. I’ve got a secret pocket in my pants that my money is in, too. Oh, and I’m Jonas.”

Bingo. Red shirt equaled Jonas.

“Thank you. That’s very kind. And don’t ask me why, but I know I can trust you to safekeep my cash and get it back to me when I’m ready for it. Here you go,” I said, handing it over the seat.

“Here’s what I want to know,” I started, “is there an ATM where I can get some foreign currency?”

Drake side-eyed me again. “What do you need foreign currency for?”

Was he kidding?

“We’re heading into town. What if I see something I want to buy in the market? You know, like a souvenir? A gift for my sister?”

“I don’t think you’ll find anything—” Drake started to say.

But I cut him off. “On the other hand, I do have credit cards. I’ll just use them,” I said, satisfied with my decision.

More laughter.

These guys were hilarious.

I sighed loudly. “What? What do you know that I don’t? Or are you going to make me guess?”

God I was feeling salty.

Penn patted my shoulder from the back seat. “Fleur, if they don’t have ATMs, they aren’t gonna take credit cards, either.”

Oh. Right.

In the distance, a dusty little town drew closer, all low-rise buildings with flat roofs and colorful laundry drying in the hot sun.

“What are we here for, anyway?” I asked.

Drake slowed the Jeep to a crawl as we entered town, and several little kids, who’d been kicking a soccer ball in the street, ran after us. “We need more water and some other provisions.”

We pulled into a parking spot, if you could call it that. Drake stopped me before I jumped out.

“Do you have anything valuable in that bag?” he asked, pointing at my purse.

“This thing? Not really. Just my credit cards and lipstick. Stuff like that, since you guys commandeered my cash.”

He gestured over his shoulder. “Give Jonas your credit cards, too.”

I rolled my eyes. “Really? Is this necessary?”

Jonas held his hand out as the village kids started to surround us.

“Fine, fine. Here,” I said, digging them out and putting them in his outstretched hand.

Jeez, did these guys think I was a total idiot?

Turned out there really was nothing to buy in the town. So after about fifteen minutes of walking around, seeing the place, and purchasing the items we needed, we grabbed a table outside a café and ordered tea.

Penn leaned over. “See those kids over there? They’re checking you out.”

I twisted in my seat and waved at them. “They’re so cute.”

One of Penn’s eyebrows rose. “I don’t know if cute is the word I’d use.”

Seriously?

“Penn, they can’t be more than ten or twelve, and for heaven’s sake, they’re wearing school uniforms,” I said, shaking my head.

“Uh, Fleur, I didn’t mean checking you out like ‘look at the pretty lady.’ I meant they’re trying to figure out if you have anything to steal.”

What the fucking fuck?

“No way.”

He shrugged. “Don’t believe me. No skin off my back,” he said, raising his hands.

I couldn’t believe the cynicism of these guys. It was just so sad.

But a minute later, Drake was on his feet, chasing the very kids I’d thought were so cute. It took me a moment to realize it, but the little one had sped by us, grabbed the purse off the back of my chair, and disappeared down an alley with his friends.

“Shit! I really liked that purse,” I cried, jumping to my feet and trying to decide whether I should join Drake in the chase.

But that wasn’t really an option. He was already out of sight.

Penn grabbed my arm. “Sit back down. There’s nothing you can do, now.”

“What do you mean? Shouldn’t we call the authorities?”

He looked at his brother. Did they have some sort of secret twin language? “It won’t do any good. And besides, Jonas has your money, so you’re actually fine.”

I sank back into my chair. “That’s true. But they were just little kids.”

Little kids preparing for a life of crime.

“And to them, you are a Westernized rich lady. That’s all they saw,” Jonas said.

I’d be damned. I was robbed. They hadn’t gotten much, but still.

Penn patted me on the back. “Now you can add this to all the other firsts you’ve experienced on this trip.”

Drake was still nowhere to be found. So, I decided to work it.

“You mean, like kissed two twin brothers?”

The guys looked at each other.

“Well, hopefully that’s the highlight,” Jonas said, laughing.

“Can I get back to you on that?” I asked.

* * *