Page 58 of Blackwood

I bobbed my head and followed him under the canopy of trees. It took me fifteen minutes, a couple of rotten trees, and a handful of small streams to get the hang of the ATV, but once I figured out my limits, we made good time. We headed straight for the mounded area that could indicate Native American activity.

Garrett followed the map well, and I couldn’t help but be impressed with his skills at navigating the rough terrain and leading us through the tougher areas. We reached the mound just before eleven and parked under a huge oak at the edge of the rise.

“Lunch, then work. You warm enough?” He walked over and pulled my helmet off before removing his gloves and pressing his palms to my cheek.

“I’m warm. Don’t worry.” I ran my palms along the backs of his hands.

“You sure?” He grabbed my fingers. “Your hands could be warmer. I’ll start a fire.”

I laughed and stood, my thighs and ass sore from the bumpy ride. “Calm down, mountain man. Let’s eat lunch, and then do some digging. I’ll warm up fast from the manual labor.”

He kissed my forehead. “I’ll do the digging.”

“Yes,wewill do the digging.” I rummaged in my pack and pulled out some sandwiches, chips, and water.

He grumbled and accepted the food. We leaned against the oak and ate.

“What do you think we’ll find?” He let his eyes rake the trees, rocks, and fertile earth.

“I don’t know. That’s half the fun.” I took a drink of the cold water. “Could be nothing, could be arrowheads, pottery, bones—anything that gives us a clue.”

“What about the shack? What do you expect to find there?”

I finished my chicken salad sandwich and stowed the bag in my pocket. “Not sure. Maybe something that will help me find my father’s grave.”

“And what will that do?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, if you do find him, what then?”

I hadn’t thought of after. My life over the past few years had been centered on three things: school, my mother, and wondering if my dad was ever coming back. Eventually, the last thing morphed into trying to find out what happened to him. School was almost over, my mother was definitely over, and the truth about my dad was within my grasp.

I walked past Garrett and pulled the long shovel free from the back of my ATV. “I guess then I’ll know.” I shrugged. “I’ll know, and I can move on and finish my degree and start a career somewhere. Finally start a life.”

“Why can’t you do that now?”

I whirled on him. “And just forget about him? Let whoever killed him walk free?”

He stuffed his hands into his coat pockets. “It’s been two years. Any evidence is bound to be gone. I’m only saying I don’t want you to get your hopes up for a resolution that might not happen.”

“I’m going to find out. I always do. I dig.” I held up the shovel for emphasis. “I’ll dig as deep as I have to and for as long as I have to.”

I turned and snagged my measuring tape. Nothing was going to stop me from figuring out what happened. He walked up behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders.

“I’m not trying to upset you, okay?” His scent surrounded me, comforted me. “I just don’t want you to end up like me with Lillian, always searching for an answer that won’t come.”

I turned my head and stared up into his steely eyes. “You’re not so bad, you know?”

He kissed my hair. “You’re the only one who thinks that.”

“True.”

He laughed and took the shovel from my hand. “Come on. Put me to work.”

We tramped through the underbrush until we came to a spot dotted with younger trees.

I pointed. “Something was here.”

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