Birthright by Nora Roberts

of sweat and the eucalyptus oil she’d used to discourage insects.
    For Callie, it didn’t get much better.
    She glanced over at the toot of a horn, and this time the interruption had her leaning on her shovel and grinning. She’d known Leo wouldn’t be able to stay away for long.
    â€œKeep at it,” she told the students. “Dig slow, sieve thoroughly. Document everything.”
    She walked over to meet Leo. “We’re finding flakes in every shovel sample,” she told him. “My theory is we’re in the knapping area there.” She gestured to where the two students continued to dig and sieve the soil. “Rosie will verify rhyolite flakes. They sat there, honing the rock intoarrowheads, spear points, tools. Go a little deeper, we’ll find discarded samples.”
    â€œShe’ll be here this afternoon.”
    â€œCool.”
    â€œHow are the students doing?”
    â€œNot bad. The girl, Sonya, she’s got potential. Bob, he’s able and willing. And earnest. Really, really earnest.” She shrugged. “We’ll wear some of that down in no time. I tell you what I figure. Every time I turn around, somebody’s bopping by here wanting a little tutorial. I’m going to put Bob on community relations.”
    She glanced back. “He’s got this farm-fresh Howdy Doody face. They’ll love that. Let him give the visitors a nice little lecture on what we’re doing, what we’re looking for, how we do it. I can’t be stopping every ten minutes to play nice with the locals.”
    â€œI’ll take that for you today.”
    â€œThat’s great. I’m going to run the lines. I’ve got the surface plan worked up, if you want to take a look. You can give me a hand with marking the plots in between your outdoor classroom obligations.”
    She glanced at her ancient Timex, then tapped the list she’d already made and fixed to her clipboard. “Leo, I’m going to need containers. I don’t want to start pulling bones out of the ground and have them go to dust on me once they’re out of the bog. I need equipment. I need nitrogen gas, dry ice. I need more tools. More sieves, more trowels, more dustpans, buckets. I need more hands.”
    â€œYou’ll have them,” he promised. “The great state of Maryland has given you your first grant on the Antietam Creek Project.”
    â€œYeah?” She grabbed his shoulders as the delight burst through her. “Yeah? Leo, you’re my one true love.” She kissed him noisily on the mouth.
    â€œSpeaking of that.” He patted her dirty hands, stepped back. She was too pleased to notice he was putting safe distance between them.
    â€œWe’re going to have to discuss another key member of the team. While we do, I want you to remember we’re allprofessionals, and what we’re doing here could have enormous impact. Before we’re done, this project could involve scientists from all over the world. It’s not about individuals, but about discovery.”
    â€œI don’t know where you’re going, Leo, but I don’t like how you’re getting there.”
    â€œCallie . . .” He cleared his throat. “The anthropological significance of this find is every bit as monumental as the archaeological. Therefore, you and the head anthro will need to work together as coheads of the project.”
    â€œWell, for Christ’s sake, Leo, what am I, a diva?” She pulled the water bottle out of the slot on her belt, drank deep. “I don’t have a problem sharing authority with Nick. I asked for him because I know we work well together.”
    â€œYes, well . . .” Leo trailed off at the sound of an approaching engine. And worked up a pained smile as he spotted the new arrivals. “You can’t always get what you want.”
    Shock came first, racing with recognition as she spotted the