Return to Exile Read Online Free PDF Page A

of her head, his scraggly beard sanding a few of the splinters from her ragged thoughts.
    Lisbeth pulled back, checking his eyes for clarity, a habit she couldn’t seem to break since she’d brought him back to the States. “Go on to bed, Papa.”
    “It’s already Christmas in the Middle East. Think I’ll catch CNN. See if Santa left me a little present.” Unlike her, he hadn’t given up on the Egyptian government granting access to the cave that had changed everything.
    Lisbeth patted his shoulder. “You think Santa has any pull in Egypt?”
    “No.” He grinned. “But God and Nigel do. And Magdalena would get her Christmas wish.”
    “I’m not letting that bald Irishman smuggle my daughter into Egypt.”
    “Well, you sure couldn’t leave her with Queenie. I know she’s the only friend you’ve got, but her call schedule keeps her at the hospital sixty to eighty hours a week. Plus, I took you all over the world.”
    “I’m not you.”
    Papa paused. “Who is it you’re really protecting, Beetle Bug?”
    “I don’t know why we’re arguing about this. It’s a moot point. Even if I wanted to go back, which I don’t, the cave is closed to archaeological exploration.”
    “Why do you think I’ve been praying?” He winked. “Now go check on our girl.”
    Lisbeth headed toward Maggie’s room, contemplating thechanges in Papa since he’d hauled her from the secret shaft at the Cave of the Swimmers.
    Not only had Papa’s mind cleared, his sole reliance upon science had shifted to a strong conviction in a higher power. According to her father’s new way of thinking, the same God who’d created the unknown dimensions of time had also created scientific minds determined to unravel its mysteries. He was convinced God would provide a way for him to fling himself down the time portal and bring Mama home.
    Light from the Little Mermaid lamp next to Maggie’s twin-size bed cast a blue glow over the Mediterranean wall mural Lisbeth had commissioned when she finally finished her fellowship and got a real paying job. Even with her increased income, hiring an artist was a splurge on a hospitalist’s salary. But Maggie loved art. The other three walls of her room were covered with her watercolors and sketches of animals. Living in an apartment didn’t mean they couldn’t put down roots.
    Lisbeth thought about Papa’s earlier words. The truth was she really wasn’t afraid of hauling Maggie around the world, but she also believed her daughter deserved a normal life . . . if a child conceived from a cross-temporal marriage could ever be considered normal.
    Maggie’s pale legs were sprawled atop the covers, her latest crayon creation clutched in her hand. Lisbeth resisted the urge to cover her. Instead she bent and removed the drawing of a reindeer, then lifted a strand of hair stuck to Maggie’s angelic face. Her daughter had inherited silky blond tresses, blue eyes, and a perfect forehead from her aristocratic father. Her claustrophobia, unfortunately, had come directly from her mother’s genes. No matter what they tried, Maggie refused anything that could possibly pin her arms and legs down. Lisbeth found it easier to wait until her daughter was sound asleep before attempting a proper tucking in.Even then, she proceeded with caution. She was certain Maggie had some sort of built-in sensor capable of detecting confinement . . . the very reason Lisbeth could never take her down that tight time portal shaft.
    Lisbeth kicked off her shoes and freed the blanket from beneath Maggie’s legs. She slid in next to the perfect little body, careful not to crowd her.
    Maggie roused. “Mommy?” Her hand found Lisbeth’s face. “Is he here?” she asked without opening her eyes.
    “Who, baby?”
    “My daddy.” Her solid expectation was a balled fist to Lisbeth’s stomach.
    Lisbeth brought Maggie’s hand to her lips. Cinnamon tainted her fingers. Fighting tears, Lisbeth kissed each chubby digit. “Not yet,