Buried Secrets by Kristi Belcamino (book recommendations for teens txt) 📕

His grip loosened and she slid down his body until they were face to face. She grabbed his chin and kissed him long and hard until they both had to come up for air. But only long enough for Colton to kick the door behind her closed, still clutching her hips as they kissed more. A lot more.

She pulled away when someone knocked on his office door.

“Oh crap. My office hours just started,” Colton said.

“Of course, they did.”

They rearranged their clothing and Dallas grabbed her bag, opened the door and slipped out.

Fifteen

Cairo

The minister looked a little weary when he saw Dallas and Colton walk in.

“I have your excavation license here waiting, Miss Jones.”

“Thank you.” Dallas sagged in relief. Until she heard him say it, she’d worried that it was all a dream.

“It is good for the dig season. If you need more time we will have to consider renewing.”

“That sounds fair.” She planned to have found enough evidence that the tomb was at Taposiris so that wouldn’t be a problem.

They didn’t waste time in Cairo. They headed straight for the train after they left the minister’s office.

In Alexandria, Colton insisted they check into the Marriott again.

“Safer.”

“You’re right,” Dallas said.

They had adjoining suites. They’d arrived in Alexandria close to ten at night. Both were yawning when they stepped into the rooms.

For a second Dallas wondered if they would finally get busy or if they were destined to remain platonic forever. But then Colton had turned away from her saying, “Well, we have an early start so I’m going to turn in now.”

“Oh, good idea,” Dallas said and headed for her own room, hiding her disappointment.

The next morning, reunited with Abet and a new driver, Dallas couldn’t stifle her excitement while they drove to the temple. Seated in the back, she kept looking at Colton and grinning. He matched her smile and reached over to grab her hand. She clutched at it, her nails slightly digging into his palms, but he held her hand just as firmly.

Out at the site, they were introduced to their new partner, Australian archeologist, Danny O’Brien, who had the ruddy cheeks and blonde hair of a surfer.

“Good day, boss lady,” he said with a grin. “It’s an honor to meet you. You’ve been a bit of a legend in my circles since last year when you first shared your theory about Taposiris.”

Dallas blushed. “No offense, but your circles must be mighty small if I featured prominently in them. And I’m not your boss. Not even close.”

He laughed. “Let me show what I’ve got started while we wait for Mr. Randall. I’ve been told he will arrive tomorrow?”

Dallas nodded. “Yes, Sam is on his way.”

She’d spoken to Sam the day before. The Daughters of Isis had paid for a private nurse to care for his mother while he came to Egypt and had purchased one of the surveying machines he’d helped invent.

He told Dallas that he didn’t want to leave at first, but his mother insisted. She was “ridiculously” excited for him to go, he said. And besides, his older brother’s leg was doing much better so he should be able to take over driving and caring for their mother soon. Dallas couldn’t wait to see him in Egypt.

Meanwhile, O’Brien directed them towards a large tent where the survey equipment had been set up.

“This will allow us to look deep underground. And with Mr. Randall’s equipment we should be able to locate any underground tombs or chambers.” He frowned.

“What?” Dallas said, instantly on alert.

“We will wait to confirm with Mr. Randall’s program, but we did stumble on something yesterday that could possibly put a crimp in some of our plans.”

His furrowed brow worried Dallas more than his words.

He pointed to something on the screen.

“An aquifer?” Colton said.

“I’m afraid so.”

Dallas exhaled loudly. “That could be a problem”

“Yes,” O’Brien said. “We won’t know until we get in there.”

“Let’s do it. Show me what you want me to do.”

O’Brien laughed again. “My dear, I am your assistant. You are in charge here. I am at your disposable.”

For a brief second fear raced through Dallas but then she felt Colton reach for her hand and squeeze it and she pulled back her shoulders and pulled out a chair in front of the screen.

“By my theory, we should concentrate our first efforts over at this spot.” She pointed. O’Brien nodded.

She went on to explain and then the crew got to work.

That night, when they returned to the hotel, sweaty and exhausted, Dallas and Colton ordered room service and each turned into their respective beds.

The next day Sam arrived.

He came mid-day so he rented a car to take him to the dig site. When it pulled up, Dallas dropped everything and ran to him. When he stepped out of the vehicle, she barreled into him and gave him a bear hug.

He drew back with red cheeks.

“Sam Randall, am I ever glad to see you!”

He smiled and shook his head. “This is freaking awesome!” He looked around. “I can’t believe I’m here.”

Dallas smiled. “I can’t imagine doing this without you!”

She led him directly into the tent where he met O’Brien and got swept up in another hug, this time from Colton.

“I don’t think I’ve been hugged so much since my confirmation,” he said.

Danny O’Brien pushed out a chair. “Do you mind if I bring you up to speed on what we’ve been doing?”

“Can’t wait.”

The two men pored over the computer monitors discussing what they were viewing in low voices. After a few minutes, Sam stood and turned to Dallas and Colton. “I’ll go grab my gear, but this could be tricky. An aquifer could be a problem. But maybe we can figure out a way to dig around it.”

For a week, the same pattern followed. Each night after a long day at the temple excavating at what felt like an excruciatingly slow pace, Dallas crawled into bed exhausted and fell instantly asleep.

That didn’t mean