Page 64 of Stone
She bit her lower lip. She wanted to ask him aboutGarenth, but forced herselfto remain silent. Her uncle rarely called just to chit-chat, much less try repeatedly to reach her and leave voicemails. “What’s up with you? Where’s the fire?” she teased.
“I called because I have a job offer for you, but it’ll require you to give up your position there at the museum.”
She was immediately intrigued. “What do you mean?”
“Well, the lasttime we talked, you told me how different things were over there. You mentioned how much more stressful the situation was under the acting curator.”
Brielle softly groaned. “You have no idea.”
“So I’m offering you a position here. With me.”
“In Egypt?”
“I’m needing someone who can label, sort, and file, and do it correctly. And, more importantly,someone I can trust.” He snorted. “Since that’s pretty much what you do there, I thought I’d offer you the job first.”
“I thought that was Arnie’s job.”
“This dig is getting to be a bigger project than anyone expected, so I’ve put him in the field withIrmine. What do you say, Brie? Willing to pull up stakes and settle elsewhere? If I remember correctly, back when youwere in high school, you mentioned that one day you wanted to travel to foreign lands with me.”
“And I still do!” she gasped. “Yes! Yes, I want the job. I need to give notice—”
“No time for that. Check your email. Your flight information is there. Your plane leaves at six-ten, so you need to hurry home and pack your passport, your toothbrush, and a bottle of sunscreen.”
“Today?”
Kellinglaughed. “There’s no time to dawdle. Don’t worry about giving notice or alerting your landlord. I’ll take care of the details.”
“How many days will I be gone? How many days do I need to pack for?”
“That’s entirely up to you,” he replied enigmatically. “Have a safe trip, and I’ll see you when you arrive.”
Briellewasted no time and gathered together the few personal items and mementoes she wanted to keep. She sent her report as it was to the curator, then powered down her computer before heading for the main lab.
Cassidy was the only person inside, but that was okay. The woman was the only person she was close enough to that she’d care to give a final farewell.
Cassidy squintedin surprise at the expression Brielle wore. “What’s with you? Did the sun finally come out after all these months?”
“I just quit my job. I’m heading tonight for Egypt to work with my uncle.”
“What? No! Right now?”
Brielle gave the woman a warm hug. “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. I’m sending Gilbertson my letter of resignation and recommending youfor the position. Hope that’s okay.”
“Well, yeah, but…”
They hugged again, and this time neither of them tried to hide their tears.
“I’m going to miss you, Brie,” Cassidy confessed. “Are you keeping your apartment?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know when I’ll be back. But, yeah.”
“Let me know the next time you hit town, you hear?”
“I will. Promise.”
A final hug, and Brielle hurried away.
Funny, but handing over her key card, and knowing it was the final time, had absolutely no emotional effect on her. She was headed for Egypt where, if she was lucky, she might get to seeGarenthagain.
And if she was blessed, he would remember her…and more.
