Page 50 of Burn Bag (Owens Protective Services #31)

DAPHNE

Excitement thrummed through me at the prospect of going on the dig, but the idea of leaving my husband was making me nauseous. Did I really want to leave for months at a time when we were just starting to get along so well? What would that mean for our relationship?

“Honey! We have to leave soon and you’re still not packed!” my mother said, rushing into the room.

“Mom, I haven’t even talked to Bradley yet.”

“Is that really necessary?” She asked, walking over to my closet. Yanking the doors open, she started searching for the appropriate attire to pack. “I mean, you’ve only been married a few weeks!”

“Yes, when it’s most important to get things right,” I added just as she tossed a couple of shirts out of the closet, smacking me in the face.

“You have years to get things right,” she countered, pulling more items down from hangers. “Honestly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime dig! Imagine, Queen Nefertiti! It’s everything we’ve dreamed of!”

“Yes, I know, but—” Another shirt smacked me in the face and I pulled it away, irritated that she wasn’t listening. “Mother, will you stop digging through my closet!”

“Daphne, we really don’t have time to discuss this. Now, I’ve booked our flight, and if we don’t leave for the airport soon, I’m not sure what the point of scheduling this meeting was. We need the money,” she called over her shoulder.

“I never agreed to go!” I shouted, finally getting her to stop and listen.

Slowly, she turned, her face slack with shock. “You don’t want to go?”

“I didn’t say that,” I said, frustratedly. “But I just got out of the hospital. I haven’t even had a night to think about it. You just keep pushing and pushing, just like you always do!”

“Because this has always been our dream,” she hedged.

It had been. That wasn’t a lie. “I know, but I need a minute.”

“Well, you can think all you want on the plane,” she smiled. Rushing over to me, she clasped my hands in hers, reminding me of when I was a kid and she made a huge discovery. “Just imagine walking onto the dig site just like when you were younger. Only this time, that huge prize is waiting for us.”

By prize, she was referring to the discovery.

My mother would never worry about something as trivial as money unless it was for her project.

And for that, I admired the hell out of her.

But my life was no longer pointed in the same direction as hers.

There were other things I dreamed of, and one of those included my husband.

“I just…I need some time,” I said, prying my hands out of hers.

“Oh.” The disappointment in her voice was palpable, but she plastered a smile on her face. “I suppose you could take a later flight. If that’s what you want.”

I did. Desperately. I wanted both worlds, but I didn’t know how to accomplish that. “Just…let me talk to Bradley.”

“Sure. I understand.” She smiled widely at me, her shoulders heaving in excitement. “Well, your father and I should get going, then. Give us a final sendoff?”

“Sure.”

Neither of us said that we weren’t sure if they would see me in a few days. I didn’t know, and I wasn’t prepared to walk away from Bradley without a serious discussion.

But I followed her downstairs and hugged them both before they grabbed their bags and scurried off, waving down some poor sap on the property that they would no doubt order to take them to the airport. And whoever that poor sap was would take them because my parents were convincing like that.

It was only minutes later that Bradley walked into the house, his eyes surprised when he saw me sitting in the living room in silence. Shoving his hands in his pockets, I could feel the vulnerability coming off him in waves.

“I’m surprised you’re still here.” His eyes searched for bags, but when he didn’t find any, he relaxed just a little.

“I wasn’t going to leave without discussing it with you first.”

“So, you are going,” he hedged. Unease flashed in his eyes as he stepped further into the room.

“I haven’t decided yet. Honestly, it’s just…it’s chaotic and…”

“And what?” He sat down with me, taking my hand in his. “Do you want to go?”

“Yes. No.” I sighed, shaking my head. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. But…”

“But what?”

His face blurred in my vision as tears filled my eyes. I quickly swiped at a stray tear, feeling like an idiot for getting so sentimental over a man I’d known for only a few weeks.

“I don’t want to leave you,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. “I’m afraid that I’ll leave and everything will fall apart.”

Sighing, he pulled me into his arms, rubbing my back and consoling me when I was talking about leaving him! The insanity of that struck a chord deep inside me.

“Daphne, I’m not so far removed from your world to not realize how important this is. Obviously, your parents are a little oblivious to things like head injuries and romance, but they mean well.”

“They always mean well.”

“Because they know how big this is,” he grumbled, his voice vibrating against my skin. “It would be selfish of me to keep you from such a great opportunity, even if I want to tie you to the bed and have a snake guard you to ensure you never leave. ”

I chuckled against his chest. “Is that all it takes to make sure I get to keep the pets I bring home?”

“I think at this point, I would allow you to bring an elephant home.”

“Don’t be silly. An elephant would never fit in this house. We’d have to upgrade,” I chuckled.

“I’ll build you a bigger house while you’re gone,” he croaked out, squeezing me harder.

Sighing, I slipped my arms around him and held him tight. I couldn’t imagine leaving him, even if it was only for a couple of weeks. This would prove to be much longer.

“It’ll be okay. You’ll call me and tell me about your day, and I’ll pretend that I’m not utterly terrified of mummies.”

“You could come with,” I hedged, hoping he would say yes.

But that didn’t happen, and deep down, I knew that would be his answer. “No, this is about you. I’m not cut out for digging around in the ground for ancient remains. And furthermore, I’m terrified as hell of some Egyptian curse following me home.”

“But you’re not worried about me?”

“Hey, if you choose to take that risk, the fallout is on you.”

We sat for a few moments in silence, neither of us wanting to discuss how this would work or what we were in for.

I knew it would be hard, and so did he. But he was right, it was an opportunity that would only come around this one time.

Then I could come back, happy that I had gone for it. There would be no regrets.

Except maybe leaving him.