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of caring for a farm. Thank God for Maria. Her Mexican-American housekeeper was a lifesaver, a grandmotherly person that Mackenzie adored, who managed to keep the house spotless and allowed Lara to care for the farm. And her food, when Lara allowed her to cook instead of doing the chore herself, was outstanding.
    “Lara? What if it's just me?”
    “Excuse me?”
    The chair protested again, the sound of metal grinding, and Lara had to bite back a desire to gift the professor with a can of WD-40 . Honestly, how could he stand that noise?
    “Would you let me do a small excavation? Frankly, I am concerned with the area that is closest to the creek. I noticed some signs of soil erosion, and with all the rain we have been having, the site could become unstable. One flood and several feet could easily wash out, and the record would be destroyed. I could excavate only that area, lay down the grid, run tests, and if everything pans out the way I think it will, we could be ready to do a full scale dig next year. It would take maybe three to four weeks.”
    “You would have to speak to Kenzie’s case worker and do the background checks.”
    “That would not be a problem,” he said. “I am a tame, fluffy bunny type of guy. Not a spot on my record.”
    Fluffy bunny. Ha. “I'll take your word for it. But where would you stay? The commute would be a long drive for you, and there are no hotels left in town.”
    Lara could almost hear the gears turning in the professor’s head as he paused, obviously trying to decide what to say.
    “Professor Gilbert, I know you have already thought of something. Out with it.”
    He laughed. “You have me pegged. If you would allow it, I have a small trailer that I use for excavations that I could leave in the field, short term. Then I could conduct my research without disturbing you. And I would pay a site rental fee, naturally. ”
    “You need to stop offering me money. I don’t need it.”
    “OK then, I’ll let you buy me lunch to seal the deal.”
    There was more than just amusement in his deep voice. He was flirting with her over the phone, and so subtly that at first she had not realized it. Just as she had not realized that her face was lit by a big smile. Talking with him made her happy. It was part amusement at his dry humor, and part of it was the zing she felt at the memory of his handsome face and toned body.
    Lara stood up and walked to the end of the desk, looking northwest to where the mound waited.
    “On the north side of the barn there is a 30 amp outlet and a concrete pad. There is no water hookup, but we could run a hose from the faucet in the barn.”
    “That sounds perfect. Give me a couple weeks to prepare a research design and get things ready around here and I will be in touch.”
    “That sounds fine.”
    Lara knew that she should disconnect, but was reluctant to do so.
    He seemed to share her reluctance, and the silence hung between them. It was not uncomfortable; rather it was like the happy silences that sometimes existed between friends who had grown up together, where words are not always necessary.  She watched Mackenzie playing in her sandbox, building fragile castles while chatting with her collection of Barbies. 
    “Lara?”
    “Hmm?”
    “Are they going to take the little girl away?”
    Lara sighed, wishing that she had a glass of wine. “I don't think so. The Randolph’s are decent people, even though Ned has had three DUI’s in the last 5 years, which is why they didn't place her with them in the first place. But Becky was their only child, and I know that they want custody. They have her every other weekend now.”
    “I have a brother who works for a firm in Cleveland. I could ask if he knows someone that could help.”
    “That is a really sweet thing for you to think of, but I got myself a pit bull lawyer when I saw the way the wind was blowing. If it comes to a legal fight, I stand a really good chance. My brother asked me to care for Mackenzie