Page 7

Chapter Seven

AVA

T he line to get into Isla’s Bakery was down the sidewalk and around the corner. I was determined to wait it out for a box of pastries. I hoped some of Isla’s delicious baked goods would ease or even eliminate the tension I was anticipating in this morning’s meeting about the expedition. Jack had given it another shot, but Brimley held firm to his decision. We both expected it. Brimley was smart and accomplished and well-loved. He was also as stubborn as a mule. Jack chose Pam Boswitch and Milo Jameson for his team. Pam was the woman that Robyn hoped would not join us. I knew her only in passing, but Robyn had been on the mark about her know-it-all style. She even managed to make “Morning, how are you doing?” sound condescending. Milo, I knew only by sight. He was a lean, athletic guy who raced bikes in his spare time.

The line moved forward. Something told me Layla was in panic mode with so many customers coming through the door. It was a big change from standing behind the pharmacy counter. My phone beeped. It was a text from Robyn.

“Should I start the coffee?”

The line in front of me moved and shortened so that I was two people from the door. “Start it in twenty, so it’ll be fresh. Did you print out the itineraries?”

“I’ll do that now.”

“Thanks. See you in a half hour.”

Most people were buying a single pastry or croissant for a quick breakfast, so the line moved quickly. I finally made it inside. Isla was helping Layla behind the counter. She looked harried but incredibly happy. We all knew the bakery would be the new hot spot in town. The sugary, buttery aroma floating around made my stomach growl. I’d been so busy I hadn’t had time to stop in for a treat. Piles of fresh pastries, almond and chocolate croissants, and stacks of thick cookies were piled behind the clear glass on the counter. More elegant desserts, like glazed fruit tarts and chocolate tortes, were displayed on marble pedestals and under glass domes. The inside of the bakery was inviting and quirky in a sort of cozy French style with polka dot upholstered chairs, ornate iron tables and sparkly chandeliers hanging from the white-washed wood ceiling.

I reached the counter. “You should have just texted. I could have saved you the wait time,” Isla said.

“Didn’t want to pull familial rank quite yet. I need two dozen pastries. It’s my peace offering to the opposing team .”

Isla crinkled her nose. “Ella was telling me that you’re stuck going on a research expedition with that grumpy professor. I’ll add in a few chocolate croissants. That’ll do the trick.”

“I wish that was the magical cure for his grumpiness. It’s going to be a long two weeks. I plan to spend a lot of it out in the field with my team and far away from Jack Sinclair.” Isla piled fresh pastries into a box and put some croissants in a separate box. She started to turn down my credit card, but I shook my head. “No, I expect the occasional free cookie but not a whole box of pastries. Besides, the university gives me a budget for stuff like this.”

Isla shrugged. “Well, in that case.” She took the card. “When do you leave?”

“Bright and early tomorrow morning.”

“Well, I’m glad it’s only for a few weeks, especially after Egypt, when you gave us such a scare. I know it’s hard out in the field, but make sure to send us something—an email, a flare, a message by carrier pigeon—to let us know you’re all right.”

“We’re near a biological station, so I’ll be able to get word to you.” I picked up the boxes. “Okay, yummies, let’s do your job and make everyone smile.”

R obyn had set up the meeting table with itineraries, lists and everything else people would need for the trip. I found a tray in the lunchroom, and we piled it with the pastries. Ian and Evan walked in together. They both looked revved up and ready for the adventure. Norman walked in behind them with earbuds in his ears. He didn’t look quite as revved up.

Pam Boswitch had her short blonde hair clipped back, and she was carrying a laptop. She set it out on the table. “Plug?” she asked without even a hello.

“Sit on that side of the table,” I explained. “The panel is underneath.” Apparently, she was planning to take copious notes about the trip even though all our handouts covered the details.

Milo walked in next carrying his bike helmet. Ian walked over to greet him. It seemed they knew each other, so that was a bonus.

“Everyone, help yourself to a pastry,” I said. “Coffee is on the cart.”

“Are those gluten-free?” Pam asked. Her nose was already pinching up on the side to show her discontent with the treats.

“Nope, they’re about as gluten-y as a pastry can get,” I said with a smile. Her nose continued its upward curl to finish her show of displeasure.

Jack was late, so I walked to the door to shut it. I couldn’t have cared less about sharing information with him or getting his input. As I shut the door, his hand stopped it.

“Nice try, Lo, but if I’m stuck going on this trip, then you’re stuck with me, too.” He sidled past. “Hmm, pastries.”

The pastries had been a good call. Everyone had smiles on their faces as they nibbled the treats and sipped coffee. Everyone except Pam, anyway. She tapped away on her keyboard as the rest of us settled into a comfortable social group. It seemed she wanted us to know that she was quite busy with something far more important than our trivial meeting. Milo had no problem mingling with our group, and in fact, I was sure I noticed that he had a bit of a thing for Robyn. I hoped that wouldn’t be a problem on the trip, but I knew Robyn pretty well. She didn’t seem the slightest bit interested in the men who surrounded her all day in the lab. The other non-social entity was Jack. Not the least bit surprising. He enjoyed the two pastries well enough, but rather than join in the casual conversation, he scrolled through his phone like a defiant teen.

When the niceties and the pastries seemed to be waning, I stood up to start the meeting. At least Pam had enough manners to shut her laptop and give me her attention. I couldn’t say the same about her mentor. Jack kept scrolling through his phone.

“As you can see, Robyn has printed out the itinerary for our two-week expedition. The flight leaves at eight in the morning, so please give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and through security to make it to the gate on time. I’ve instructed my team to have only carry-on luggage. That way you don’t have to deal with checked bags. Plus, as you’ll see in a moment, the journey to the campsite will be somewhat strenuous, with a lot of walking and a short river rafting trip. The river trip will cut about three miles off the walk. You don’t want to be dragging along a big suitcase.” I looked over at Jack. He was smiling at something on his phone. I badly wanted to reach over and yank the phone from his hand. I gritted my teeth for a second and then forced a new smile.

Norm’s brows were bunched in utter despair as he stared at the itinerary. “A river rafting trip?” He looked up with even more despair.

“The river doesn’t flow fast at this time of year. When I called to reserve our spots, the owner of the rafting company assured me it would be a calm, pleasant trip downriver. As I mentioned, this will save us miles of walking.”

Music blurted out of Jack’s phone. He quickly silenced it. “My apologies.”

I stared at him long and hard. He stared back. The small crease in his cheek told me he found my scowl amusing. I pulled my gaze away and found that everyone was watching our silent exchange with great interest.

I took a deep breath. Norm was back to looking worried. I had a great deal of apprehension about taking him along on this trip, but he’d been part of the grant. I assumed at the time that he just wanted to give his input, but he hadn’t really considered what would happen if the grant came through.

“Norm, you do know how to swim, right?” I asked.

Jack snickered. I shot him another scowl, but that was it. I was all out of scowls at this point.

Norm’s cheeks turned red. “Yes. Of course I can swim. It’s just I was doing some research, and there is a significant population of crocodiles in the Sarapiqui River.”

“Guess we know who to use as bait,” Jack muttered.

I’d had enough. “Excuse me. Robyn, if you don’t mind taking over for a minute. I need a word with Associate Professor Sinclair. Outside.” I said the last part through gritted teeth.

Jack shrugged and still acting like an arrogant teen he slowly put his phone in his pocket and got up with a slumped, indifferent posture to follow me to the door.

We stepped into the hallway, and I snapped shut the door. A group of students were passing, holding what looked like essays in their hands and comparing grades. I waited for them to clear the hallway.

“Seriously?” I asked him. “You’re seriously going to sit through the meeting like a spoiled brat named Kyle who wants to stick it to the man by showing he doesn’t have to listen to anything the teacher is saying?”

“You’re not my teacher, and the name’s Jack. Not Kyle.”

I walked a few feet away to gather myself, then turned back to him. “All right, new rule. You don’t exist to me, and I don’t exist to you. We don’t talk or look at each other or so much as take a breath in the same place.”

Jack shrugged. “Sounds like a good plan.”

“I’m sorry that you didn’t get to take your daughter wherever you were supposed to take her, but that has nothing to do with me, and I would have rather taken a bottle of nitroglycerin with me on this trip, cradling it in my arms and hoping it didn’t blow up, than have to spend the next two weeks with you.”

Jack rolled his eyes up. “I like that visual.”

“I’m done here. And if you’re going to be on that phone, just leave. I don’t want you in my lab.”

“Sounds good to me.” He walked away.

“I don’t think I’ve ever hated anyone as much as I hate you, Jack.”

He lifted his hand and waved over his shoulder. “I’ll wear that as a badge of honor, Lo.”

I was so angry, I was close to tears. I took some deep breaths, fanned my face to cool the heat of rage and opened the door to the lab. Robyn was going over the list of essentials as I walked in. Everyone looked up when they saw me.

Pam stretched up higher. “Where’s Professor Sinclair?”

“He had to use the little boys’ room,” I said to snickers. Pam didn’t care for the comment.

“I don’t understand,” she said with a sour lemon purse of her lips.

Ian laughed. “Well, see, there’s this place called a men's restroom?—”

Pam huffed and stood up. “Are we through? I have a lot of things to finish before tomorrow.”

I looked at Robyn, since she’d been in charge when I left. She shrugged. “Guess we covered the important stuff.”

Pam had scooped up her laptop and was off before Robyn finished. She swept out the door as if being chased away. I looked back at Milo, figuring he’d be able to explain her departure.

Milo grinned. “Pam has a major thing for the professor.”

“The professor?” I asked and then it hit me. “Professor Sinclair?” I had to tamp down a smile. Maybe I wouldn’t be the one to lose my position. The university frowned greatly on relationships between teachers and students. “Does he return the affection?” I asked and got some surprised and somewhat admonishing looks from the others. They didn’t realize I was in survival mode when it came to my position, and the only thing standing between me and possible future tenure was Jack Sinclair.

Milo shook his head. “Nah, he tries to avoid her as much as possible. He always makes me stay late in the lab if she’s still working. Even pays me with coffee gift cards to make sure the two of them aren’t left alone.”

I should have been fully disappointed that my evil scheme of slipping past Jack’s seniority because of scandal wasn’t going to happen. Instead, I felt some relief. Maybe I had more of a soft spot for the man than I realized. Nah, impossible.

“Well, Milo, thanks for sticking out the meeting. We’re glad to have you on the expedition.”

“Sure thing. Not like I can afford a vacation with all my student loans. It’ll be nice to see a new slice of the world.” He stood up and stared longingly at the last cherry Danish on the plate. He’d been the only good sport on the other team.

“Go ahead, take it with you,” I said. Norm released one of those “not fair” sighs that I hadn’t ever heard from a fully-formed adult.

Milo grabbed the pastry and headed out the door. I looked at my team. “Finish up whatever you’re working on this morning, so we can clean up and get out of here early. We’ve got a big few weeks ahead of us.”