Free Outside Eden by Merry Jones

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    ‘Think he’s sexy?’ Lynne whispered.
    Who? Dr Ben Haim? Actually, he was, in a distinguished kind of way. He was solid, muscled, neither tall nor short. His tan contrasted with his silver hair, made it gleam.
    ‘Because I do,’ Lynne went on. ‘These swarthy Semitic types stir up my blood.’
    Harper said nothing, tried to listen to Ben Haim.
    ‘Not that I’m looking or anything.’
    Harper glanced at Lynne. A couple of decades ago, she would have been her high school’s Homecoming Queen. A cheerleader. The quarterback’s girlfriend. Miss Small Town Indiana or wherever she’d grown up. But now, she was married, traveling with her husband and her church. Why was she fixating on Dr Ben Haim?
    Harper tried to forget about Dr Ben Haim’s supposed sexiness and listen to his words. He was listing their specific goals for the week, defining the sections of the site, explaining that they would work in pairs, each assigned to a section.
    ‘You’ll be my partner.’ Lynne nudged Harper’s arm. It wasn’t a question.
    ‘Next, let’s talk about safety. Remember this: We have to protect not only the site and the finds, but also our volunteers. So I’m telling you: be careful. Read your safety manual. Pay attention to it. The equipment can be dangerous. Wear your work gloves, your hats. Sturdy shoes. Don’t run. Don’t fall into the ditches. And remember. It’s Israel. We have all kinds of life here. Spiders. Snakes. Respect them. Don’t lift rocks by hand – use a tool. Don’t sit down on something until you’ve had a look underneath. Check your shoes every time before you put your feet in. Understood?’
    His students whistled. Others nodded, replied, ‘Understood.’
    Harper did neither. She was thinking of Iraq. How she’d been warned about snipers and IEDs. Insurgents. But spiders and snakes? No one had thought to mention them. And yet, they’d been there. Like the flies.
    ‘Let’s go.’ Lynne stood, headed for the front of the room.
    Harper joined her in line, waiting for Dr Ben Haim to hand them their assignment. When Harper got to the front, he stood and shook her hand.
    ‘Dr Jennings! Welcome. I was told you’d be joining us. It’s a pleasure to have you here.’ He asked about her trip and her accommodations, invited her to join him for lunch after work later in the week. Gave her a welcoming embrace as she left.
    Lynne walked out of the building with her. She was about three inches taller than Harper and far more striking. ‘That dude was into you.’
    Harper shook her head. ‘He was just being professional. Acknowledging me as a colleague.’ She looked over their packet. Handed Lynne her copies of the map and paperwork. ‘We’re at section thirteen.’
    ‘He’d be too short for me, anyway,’ Lynne said. ‘But not you.’ She paused. ‘Harper? Do you believe that things happen for a reason?’
    Harper looked up. ‘Sorry?’
    ‘Just . . . Maybe you two were meant to meet. Maybe that’s why you came here. Now. To this place at this time.’
    Harper didn’t respond. This woman Lynne seemed kind of wacko; she didn’t want to engage. Instead, she concentrated on the map of the site.
    ‘It could be part of God’s plan.’ Lynne pursed her lips.
    God’s plan? Harper didn’t look up. She located section thirteen.
    ‘Think about it. Maybe that’s why you were called to come here—’
    ‘Lynne. I’m married.’ Maybe that would end the conversation.
    ‘Really?’ Lynne frowned. ‘So where’s your husband? Are you separated or something?’
    What? ‘No, he’s in Jerusalem. Attending a symposium.’ Why was she answering? Hank’s location was none of this woman’s business.
    Lynne looked troubled.
    ‘What’s wrong?’
    ‘Nothing. I just – I don’t want you to be alone here.’
    Why not? ‘It’s fine. Just ten days. And I’m not alone. Our baby’s with me.’
    ‘Your baby? Here?’ Lynne’s eyes widened.
    ‘With a sitter. Yes.’
    ‘Well.’ Lynne