He breathed a sigh of relief and headed for the doorway. At least he’d quit shaking, although he still felt a little chilled. Dactyl had already bounded out and was heading up the hillside, sniffing at the ground.
As Daniel reached the farmyard, he saw Jed pedalling his bike down the lane beside the house and waved to him.
“Jedlock! Over here!”
Jed waved back. He jumped off his bike and leaned it against a shed. They met in the middle of the yard next to the outdoor kitchen and concession stand that had been remodelled from an old shed to serve tour guests breakfast.
“Geeze, it’s hot today!” Jed said, taking off his baseball cap. His fair hair was matted to his head.
“Yeah,” Daniel replied, even though he enjoyed the heat of the sun beating down on him. At least he wasn’t shivering anymore.
“Come on,” he said, “I happen to know my mom was baking cookies for tonight and we have some cold Gator-ade too.”
~
Refreshed, Daniel and Jed saddled up Gypsy and Pepper. They needed to be exercised anyway. Besides, Daniel didn’t feel like any more vigorous activity and Jed had just pedalled a couple of miles down a gravel road.
“Let’s go see the campsite first,” Jed suggested.
Their dads were doing the final preparations for the first tourists on the weekend. The boys followed the trail through the yard and across the pasture. Grasshoppers whizzed at them from all sides, so they did little talking at first, by silent consent. They weren’t taking any chances on swallowing one of the flying insects. It had happened before.
Daniel grinned at the memory. He’d gagged and spit and torn at his mouth as the grasshopper tried to escape. He’d pulverized it unintentionally, and for weeks afterwards he’d kept swallowing at something imaginary stuck in his throat.
He gestured at Jed, pointing at the grasshoppers and then making a zipping motion over his mouth. Jed grinned back at him, holding his mouth tight. Gypsy and Pepper flicked at the insects with their tails and plodded along the grassy trail.
Then they took a dip down a slight incline and rounded a curve. At the bottom of the hill they could see the tree-filled coulee and hear the pounding of posts. They rousted their horses to a slightly faster pace. When they reached the cool shade of the trees, they dismounted and led their horses to a trickling stream, where they tied them to a couple of low trees so they could reach both the water and the grass.
“Hello, boys,” Doug Lindstrom, Jed’s dad, greeted them, as he manoeuvred another post into a hole in the ground and Daniel’s dad pounded it in solidly with a sledgehammer.
They had created a circle of posts to designate a parking area between the camping and picnicking spots. They’d built several tables and set them in strategic places under the shade of the trees. Then they’d cleared out a dozen or so camping spots with just enough room in each for a tent or a small trailer.
A water well with a hand pump stood between the two areas at the edge of the parking lot. Two outhouses – outdoor bathrooms – were tucked behind some trees in the camping area. Daniel had torn down an old bin for the lumber for them. When their dads had finished building them, Daniel had painted them. He looked at them now with pride, fresh white with green trim.
“You boys here to give us a hand?” Dad asked. “Nah, I didn’t think so,” he guessed before they could answer.
“What do you need done?” Jed asked, always ready to help.
“We have a little time before I have get back to do chores,” Daniel agreed reluctantly.
“You could gather up those branches and put them on the back of the truck,” Dad suggested. He pointed to a huge pile they’d cleared when they carved the beginning of the hiking trail that led into the camping area.
Daniel sighed. Just what he needed! He grimaced at Jed, who looked as crestfallen as he felt.
“You and your big mouth!” Daniel whispered at him jokingly.
“Sorry,” Jed answered, as his dad went to back the truck closer for them.
They worked quickly, stacking the branches into the truck box, and a half-hour later they were finished. Sweat poured down their faces and their t-shirts clung to their backs. Their arms were all scratched, red, and itchy. Mercifully, not too many mosquitoes had bitten them.
“Good job, boys,” Dad said, striding over to take a look.
“Yes, you two are good workers!” Jed’s dad agreed. “Fast, too. You must have time for something else.”
“No way! We’re out of here!” Daniel said. “I still have chores to do!” And his head was beginning to throb.
“Yeah, we haven’t had any time to ourselves yet!” Jed complained.
Their dads laughed.
“We were only joking,” Dad said.
“Good,” Daniel said, heading towards the horses. “Come on, Jed. Let’s get out of here before they change their minds!”
~
Astride the saddles again, Daniel and Jed headed across country, around the coulee and up a different side of the hill. That’s when they spotted a couple of figures in the distance, peering down at them from the top of the hill.
“Bet it’s the Nelwins!” Daniel yelled, urging Gypsy faster. “Come on, let’s check it out!”
Jed, on Pepper, followed close behind. Whoever it was ahead was on foot, so they should be able to catch up to them in no time. However, moments later, when they reached the top, they couldn’t see anyone. There were so many coulees and dips in the hills in that particular area that the two people could have gone in any direction.
“Darn! It’s not worth looking for them,” Daniel said, reining Gypsy in and turning to face Jed. “But I’m sure it was the Nelwins spying on us.”
Daniel told Jed about his encounter with them the day before. He left out the part about going back into prehistoric time. He still wasn’t ready to tell anyone the details of that experience.
“I heard what you and Pederson did for Lucy, too,” Jed said. “Sure wish there were something we could do about that pair!”
“I’m sure there is. We just need to come up with a plan.”
“Yeah, right!” Jed mumbled. “Got any great ideas?”
“Well, I might,” Daniel said, thinking about the piece of redwood bark. No! That would be too mean! And too dangerous! He just wanted them to stop their bullying. He didn’t want to injure or kill them.
“I’ll think it through before I say anything,” he said quietly.
Jed said, “Okay, count me in, whatever it is!”
Daniel just hoped he didn’t have to do anything!
Chapter Eight
Daniel opened the door to Ole Pederson, who arrived before the Lindstroms that night. He held a book in his hand for Daniel.
“The one Tim Tokaryk recommended to you this morning,” Pederson said.
Daniel took the book in surprise. “Thanks. That was fast!”
Pederson patted Daniel on the shoulder. “No time like the present, I always say!” He had an excited glint in his eyes that Daniel recognized. It meant Pederson had a viable plan for the paleontology dig. He could hardly wait to hear it!
He led Pederson into the dining room where Mom had set out a tray of chocolate chip cookies and saskatoon muffins, and two jugs of iced tea on the table. Dad sat at the end of the table opposite from the stack of glasses and napkins. He had his usual array of papers spread out, along with a calculator and various coloured pens and pencils.
Pederson sat around the corner from him as Dad passed him a paper with a chart drawn on it with coloured lines. Jed and Daniel slid onto chairs near them to hear the discussion. Cheryl played with a cookie in her highchair beside Jed, who made funny faces at her.
“Evening, Ole! Good to see you!” Dad said. “Here are my projections for the year. Of course, these aren’t set in solid stone. We can still chip away at it.”
Jed and Daniel groaned at Dad’s attempt to make a paleontology-related pun.
“Well, Ed, we may just have to change thes
e projections a little.” Pederson said. “But let’s wait for the others so I don’t repeat myself!”
“How about some iced tea?” Mom asked, standing behind him with the jug and a glass in her hand. She nodded at Daniel to pass the tray of desserts.
“Don’t mind if I do!” he said, accepting a glass from Mom.
Daniel grabbed the tray and offered it to Mr. Pederson and then Dad. Jed stood beside him with the napkins. That’s when the Lindstroms arrived. Jed’s mom, Greta, sailed into the dining room.
“My, aren’t we the helpful host?” she teased Jed, setting down a plate of cherry squares.
Jed blushed and rolled his eyes at his mom. His three sisters entered next and took their places respectfully at the table. Their dad brought up the rear, as usual.
“Evening, everyone,” Doug Lindstrom said in a jolly mood, and scraped a chair across the floor and sat on the other side of Daniel’s dad.
All at once the room filled with chattering and laugh-ter as everyone talked at the same time. Once the greetings and small talk were over and everyone had been served, they focused their attention on Ole Pederson.
“Well, everyone, as you know the townspeople and community around Climax have rallied together and we have the fine beginnings of a paleontological museum. We have a long way to go to equal Eastend, and in fact that’s probably not going to be a reality or even advisable.”
“Yeah, I’m sure the federal and provincial governments won’t consider financing another huge research station,” said Dad. “However, I think we have a case to fund a research outpost, but that’s another topic for some other time.”
“Agreed,” said Doug Lindstrom.
Pederson shifted in his chair, and added, “Yes, we’ll talk about that possibility later. For now, Ed and Doug, are you all set for the weekend’s first reservations?”
“Yes, indeed,” Dad said.
“We just finished outlining the parking lot this afternoon. Tomorrow we’ll haul the garbage cans to the camping sites, and then we can finish the rest area at the dig site,” Doug added.
“Fantastic!” Pederson said, and then turned to the ladies. “I probably don’t even need to ask, but it wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t.” He looked at them expectantly.
Jed’s mom answered for them, “All, a-okay! We’ll put the finishing touches on the rest areas and pick up the fresh food we need in town tomorrow.”
“All the painting is done, and the kitchen area in the yard is ready to go.” Mom nodded confidently. “And it seems you all liked the snacks we’re planning on serving,” she pointed to the near empty dessert trays.
Everyone laughed.
“No problem there, Libby,” Pederson agreed.
“We’re ready too,” Lucy spoke up from across the table. She handed Cheryl, who’d been sitting in her lap, over to her two younger sisters. They took her to the kitchen to play with her. “I’ve drawn up the maps for the hiking trails and we’ve all gone down them a few times.”
“Yeah, we put discreet markers in places so no one gets lost.” Daniel tried hard not to look over at Jed, but everyone knew who he was talking about anyway, and they all laughed again.
Lucy continued, “I also have the info sheets for the fossil hunters ready to be photocopied.”
“Did you make sure the information about it being illegal to take fossils away from the site is in big letters, like Mr. Tokaryk told us to do?” Daniel asked.
Lucy nodded and passed him the sheet.
“Great!” said Pederson. “And I’ve got the dig sites prepared and roped off, and all the tools ready. Good teamwork everyone!”
They congratulated themselves and the chattering escalated again, until Pederson called them back to attention.
“As you know, the mayor of Climax is bending over backwards to help us, which in turn helps the community by bringing tourists here.” Everyone nodded in agreement. “She’d like to see us linked more strongly to the Eastend ventures, including with the rsm. Especially as we’re already working with them on the Edmontosaurus find.”
Everyone nodded and he continued. “We’re really starting to attract the tourists to the town now, with the museum up and running. And from the sounds of it, we have quite a number of reservations for camping and day digs out here.” He looked at Daniel’s mom, who had the reservation book open on the table.
She nodded. “And we’re sure to have many who will just drop in without prior notice, which is great too.”
Doug said, “Yes, and word has been getting around, so we want to make sure whatever we do here works well. I think we’ve got a good thing going.”
“Guess we’ll find out this weekend,” Dad said with a wry grin.
“Well, we certainly have a great start,” Pederson continued. “When I met with the people at the T.rex Discovery Centre today, they were quite enthusiastic about us becoming partners.”
“Yahoo!” Daniel and Jed clapped. “All right!”
“Hold on,” Pederson calmed them. “These were just initial talks, and of course we’ll have to have many meetings and discussions with their authorities, and with the town council, and so on. As far as they can see, partnering with us will enhance what they are doing as well and it will benefit us all to bring as many people to the area as possible.”
“What about the red tape? How many papers are we going to have to sign?” asked Mom.
“Yes, and are they going to have special rules and regulations we’re going to have to follow?” Doug asked.
Pederson answered. “Probably all of the above. And of course, we may need to think about extra insurance and other legal costs.”
“But it’s doable, isn’t it?” Daniel asked with sudden concern.
“I’m sure it is, but it can be tedious as all get-out when you start doing the paperwork for government-run operations!”
“Isn’t that the truth!” Jed’s mom sighed.
“Okay, people, now the hard work of this evening begins. Ed, let’s go over your figures first.” Pederson pointed to Dad as he shared the graphs with the others. Mom and Greta Lindstrom moved closer to the men at the other end of the table.
Daniel and Jed looked at one another and eased out of their chairs. They weren’t interested in the money details. No one seemed to notice them leave. Lucy followed close behind them. Sometimes she annoyed them, but tonight they let her join them as they headed outdoors. They passed by Leanne and Lindsay playing with Cheryl and Dactyl on the back step. Dactyl ignored them. He was getting great attention from all the girls.
The others all seemed to gravitate towards the yard where the kitchen and snack bar were set up. An old tire swing hung from a big tree nearby. Lucy sat twisting on it, while Daniel and Jed sat on some stumps near the firepit a few feet away, chatting idly about the day.
“Those Nelwins sure have some nerve,” Jed said. “I’d like to teach them a thing or two.”
“Wouldn’t we all,” said Daniel, pointing to the bruises on his head and face.
“They’re such bullies,” said Lucy. “Seems they just get away with everything!”
“I’ve read somewhere that some bullies are actually scared if you stand up to them, but I don’t know if that would work with those two. They’re so big!”
“Yeah, and they’re always together – two picking on one isn’t fair!” Lucy added.
“Guess it’s best if we just stay out of their way!” Jed said.
“That would be fine, except they keep tracking me.” Daniel explained the last couple of days to Lucy. Of course, he left out the bit about going back into prehistoric time.
Restless again, the three of them wandered over the pasture towards the edge of the land before it dipped into the valley. The sun hovered above the horizon in a blaze of oranges and golds. They sat on some rocks and looked over the landscape in front of them. Although it was somewhat scrubby and without monumental landmarks, there was something about the quiet and peacefulness as nighttime neared. A gentle br
eeze brushed their arms as the crickets started their evening chirpings and the frogs chorused by the dugout.
From where they sat, if they looked to the distant right, they could see the rest station for the hikers, situated halfway down the valley on a flatter area at the top of a hill that gave a panoramic view of the coulee below. A small, open-walled structure, covered with a waterproof roof, had some benches and a couple of picnic tables in it. A hitching post had been erected nearby in case some people chose to ride horses. A couple of empty forty-five-gallon barrels that had years ago contained gas sat by some trees. One was for washing and drinking water for the horses, and one to hold their feed. Another couple of outhouses stood discreetly off to one side.
As Daniel looked, he thought he saw movement, but he couldn’t be sure. The fading sun cast a shadow over the site. He ignored it until it happened a second time.
“Do you see something moving down there?” he asked the others.
They fixed their eyes on the rest area, waiting in silence.
“There it is again!” Daniel lowered his voice, afraid to scare whatever it was off before they found out more.
“I saw it,” Jed whispered back.
“Me too,” Lucy said quietly.
In unison, as if they’d made a verbal agreement, all three of them started moving stealthily down the hillside for a closer look. They darted from rocks to low bushes to dips in the landscape, zigzagging down the hill and keeping as quiet as they could. There was definitely someone down there. They could hear some sort of scraping going on.
“I think there are two of them,” Jed whispered from behind a bush.
The closer they got, the lower the sun set, until they were enshrouded in twilight. That made it easier for them to approach unnoticed, but more difficult to see what was going on. There was no mistake, though, when they heard a rough, rowdy laugh, that it was the Nelwin brothers, up to no good.
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