Page 19 of A Discovery: Love and Other Things
Our mentor jogged over with an entourage in tow.
“Have you found something?” Mo barreled his way through the team, who all stood around in a huddle waiting expectantly. “Show me.”
Dr. Campbell stooped beside me, his expression bland as if he weren’t willing to get his hopes up just yet, unlike the others who crowded around us. Without a word, his eyes flashed to mine.
I gingerly lifted the delicate object with the end of my brush and placed it in my palm. His fingers shocked my sensitive skin to life as he lifted the item, the grains of sand tickling my flesh from his contact. His eyebrows narrowed. I could see the wheels in his head turning as he examined the button clasp.
“James?” Mo prodded impatiently.
I held my breath, waiting for his assessment. My heart thumped loudly against my ribcage.
Dr. Campbell rolled stones between his fingers. “The gems seem to be authentic lapis lazuli. But I can’t quite place what this metal is.” His thumb stroked the smooth metal of the flower button.
“What time period?” Mo asked, swiping at the sweat on his bald head with a washcloth before replacing his straw hat on top.
Dr. Campbell lifted the bracelet to examine it in the sunlight. “Seems to be New Kingdom. Most likely eighteenth dynasty.”
That would have placed it in the time of the temple’s construction.
“Where do you think it came from?” Felipe asked.
“I’m not certain, but could be from someone with stature based on the excellent quality of the stones.”
“Like the patron of this temple?” I asked.
Dr. Campbell’s gaze deepened into mine for the briefest of seconds. So brief that the onlookers wouldn’t have noticed. “Perhaps. Or maybe even the priest of this temple.”
It had been common for both men and women in ancient Egypt to wear jewelry. But judging from the circumference of the bracelet, I guessed it had belonged to a woman.My theory still held strong—for now!
“Mo, let’s get this to the lab to identify the metal,” he said.
Mo nodded eagerly. “I will have one of the men drive it over immediately.”
“And, Sanura?”
My chest tightened at my name on his lips. “Yes, Dr. Campbell?”
“Great job.” One corner of his mouth lifted into the faintest semblance of a smile. It might not have been a full, gleaming one of appreciation, but it was just as comparable for me. Air filled my diaphragm as I beamed with pride.
Outwardly, I offered him a smile, as professional as I could muster, in return. “Thank you, Dr. Campbell.”
Before I could register what was happening, I was pulled to my feet and enveloped in thick arms. Felipe’s squeeze was tight around my torso. “Congratulations! The first find of the internship!”
I pulled away from him shyly, and tucked stray hair behind my ears to distract from my heated cheeks. “Thanks.”
The entire crew seemed to be surprised by Felipe’s display of affection, especially one member in particular.
Dr. Campbell’s glare blazed against my skin hotter than the desert sun. The cord in the side of his neck twitched as his eyes remained trained on Felipe and me. My recently found excitement instantly vanished and unease rattled my core.
Chapter 10
The clouds parted and the heavens shined forth for all to rejoice. You heard right!My luggage was found!
I had lost all hope of ever recovering my belongings before God, the devil, or magic (pick your favorite poison) had done me a solid and prompted Sara from Baggage Support to call me last night. They’d arranged for a courier to deliver my bag this morning, and I swear on all things pumpkin spice, I victory-danced around the hostel lobby for two minutes straight when it arrived. Asif, the hostel manager, was highly amused by my lack of rhythm.
All my things were back in my possession: my clothes that weren’t two sizes too small, my shoes that fit without slipping off my feet, my archaeology notes, my scant supply of toiletries and makeup, and most importantly, my laptop.
I had put off one of my main reasons for accepting the internship for too long: finding my uncle. Sure, I could have used my phone to start the search, but I hated working on such a small screen.
