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this morning.”
    â€œI want to try the Mitchell tube,” Michael said.
    â€œPeter doesn’t want us to go there. He says it’s too dangerous.” Skye had wanted to work in that tube foryears, but her stepfather had forbidden the venture. She knew the tube wasn’t safe, but part of her longed to chance it.
    â€œWe could shore up the walls,” James suggested.
    â€œIt would cost too much.” She sighed and took the last swig of coffee and rose. “I have to get out of here for a while.”
    â€œTake tomorrow off,” Michael urged. “You’ve been working too hard at the shop, spreading yourself thin with worry. After a little rest, you’ll be your old self again.”
    â€œI still have to face facts,” she said. Her steps dragging, she went past James and Michael and left the office, then turned down the corridor and stepped outside into the bright sunshine. She cocked her head as the sound of distant whoops and shouts echoed from the slope to her left. Frowning, she turned to see what the commotion was about.
    Slipping and sliding on the loose rocks, she hurried along the path to the dig. At the top of the hill, she could see Jake twirling his sister around and around. They were both shouting. The other two workers were peering over the edge of the hole at something. Not good. Skye felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. She made her way to the dig.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” she demanded.
    Jake turned, and his hands dropped to his sides. The elation on his face radiated a charm she wasn’t prepared for. Skye felt an invisible wall go up. He took a step toward her, and she backed away.
    The joy on his face diminished a few watts. “Look here.” He gestured toward some egg-shaped rocks.
    â€œSo?” She dismissed the rocks with a glance.
    â€œWe’ve found a dinosaur nesting site.” Jake nearly chortled with glee. He rubbed his hands together.
    â€œWhat does that mean?” Skye had a dismal feeling it wouldn’t be news she wanted to hear.
    â€œDo you have any idea how rare a nesting site is?” His voice rose. “This is the find of the century.”
    All her worst fears rose up to smack her in the face. The media would be on this like a frog on a June bug. Damage control, she thought frantically. How did she minimize the effect this would have on her mining operation?
    â€œYou’re not saying anything.” The light in Jake’s eyes faded even more.
    â€œYou have to keep this quiet,” she said.
    His dark brows winged up. “Quiet? The entire paleontology community will be interested in this find.”
    â€œAnd I’ll lose the mine,” she said. She felt like she was choking. It was one thing to talk about giving up her dream and something else to have it forced on her.
    It was time she faced the fact she would never find the diamonds. The Turtle Mine was just an aging garnet mine, not a diamond mine.
    And her father was never coming back.
    She felt the sting of tears and turned away. Jake’s breath whispered against her neck, and his warm hands touched her arms.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he said.
    The funny thing was she believed he really did regret what his find would do to her business. Her mom’s business, she corrected herself. Her mother didn’t care, so Skye should just let it go. So why couldn’t she do just that?
    â€œDo you have to announce it yet?” she asked in a small voice. Her gaze stayed on the ground in front of her.
    For a few moments she thought Jake wasn’t going to answer. His grip slackened. “We can delay it a while. But I’m going to need help to fully excavate the site.”
    She pulled away then turned and gazed into his face. “What about the other paleontologist who’s working the other site? He could help you.”
    He grimaced. “I can’t do that.”
    â€œHe seems congenial.”
    â€œOh,