by Eve Hathaway
Gloria’s mouth dropped open with surprise, while Mila wondered what prompted this suggestion. Tomas popped out of the kitchen upon hearing his name but of course, he didn’t understand English and could only watch George and try to figure out what he was saying.
“He speaks the local language and he’s quite handy to have around,” George added.
Faraday looked at Tim and Meredith.
Meredith shrugged. “I just count the worms,” she said, licking the cinnamon and sugar off her lips.
“It would be easier on you,” Tim conceded. “I mean, have you ever set up a camp in the jungle before?”
There was a moment of silence while Faraday nibbled on his chocolate-dipped churro, weighing the pros and cons. “I can’t afford to pay him,” he said, eventually. “At least, not what we’re supposed to pay porters.”
Gloria began translating George’s suggestion and Faraday’s response to Tomas. Tomas murmured something into her ear. Gloria drew back, surprised. Mila thought she saw a triumphant smile flash across his face.
“Tomas says he doesn’t mind not getting paid, since he is also not paid here,” Gloria said, stiffly. “He also says that he would like it if Mila could come along. He is afraid that he is not-worldly enough to be of much use to you.”
“I don’t know that worldliness has anything to do with helping set up a camp in the jungle,” Faraday said.
Tim turned to Mila. “What do you know about camping in the jungle?”
“Enough to know that you won’t be using those tents you brought after the first night,” Mila said. Silence descended upon the dinner table. “What? Do you know how big the centipedes get here?”
That did it. Meredith looked as if she were about to throw up. Faraday’s face turned red, as though embarrassed for not having considered this. Tim’s face was measured, neutral. Mila knew she had said the right thing, despite Gloria’s silent fury from across the table.
“What would you propose, then?” Faraday asked.
“Hammocks,” Mila answered.
Tim cracked a mischievous smile at Faraday. “Told you so,” he said.
“You didn’t mention the centipedes,” Faraday said.
Tim shrugged. “But I did tell you so.” He flashed Mila a smile and gave her a thumbs-up. Mila automatically smiled back until she thought, Wait, is he flirting with me?
She glanced at Tomas, hoping that he didn’t see. The stony look in his eyes dashed that hope. She wanted to tell him it didn’t mean anything; that she was just being friendly, but then Tim kept talking, saying, “C’mon, Prof. She lives here. She knows more about the area than you do.”
“I wrote-”
“Yeah, yeah, you wrote a bunch of books. You still insisted that we’d be camping in tents.”
Mila caught Gloria’s eye and promptly wished she hadn’t. She didn’t know what she did but somehow, Gloria had figured out how to blame the souring of the last two minutes’ conversation on her.
Tim continued, oblivious to the frosting atmosphere, “Why don’t you come with us? Save the prof from running into a jaguar or something.”
And then, much to Mila’s surprise, Meredith joined in. “Yeah,” she said. “I could use someone to help me categorize stuff. You could learn a few things and when you finish, Professor Williams will write you a recommendation for college.”
Faraday threw his hands up in mock exasperation. “Well, if I’d known there was going to be a mutiny, I’d have just stayed home!”
“I’d love to,” Mila said, smiling graciously. “But my mother will need-”
“If you promise you will write her a recommendation,” Gloria cut in, giving Faraday a quick look before glancing at Mila, “then no, I don’t need your help.”
Professor Faraday Williams nodded his assent. “Of course,” he said. “I would be honored to help your daughter the way you’ve helped us.”
There were so many wrong things implied in that statement that Mila couldn’t help but shoot a questioning look at Tomas and her mother, even though she knew he didn’t know anything. Gloria was scraping the inside of her chocolate mug with the last bit of her churro, pointedly ignoring her.
What does he mean? Why is he saying that? Did you actually do anything with him that would hurt Dad? Mila had so many questions in her mind that she wished she could ask her mother outright.
In the meantime, Tim was grinning at her. “Welcome to the team, kid.”
Continue reading Tribute to the Sacred Waters: Blood Waters 2, available on your favorite book retailer’s website!!!