Free Nightbound by Lynn Viehl Page A

none of which was larger than a raccoon.
    Alys scanned the site with a deep sense of satisfaction. Hylord’s people had relieved her of hours of prep, which would allow her to begin searching for and mappingexcavation sites as soon as they unloaded and set up their equipment stations. Her plan was to first use the ground-penetrating radar to sweep the area around the mission to identify promising spatial clusters.
    Once they had mapped out a grid around the mission, Alys also intended to visit the nearby Indian village for any evidence of nonindigenous activity. With only four weeks to work, however, she wouldn’t be able to do more than perform a quick visual survey.
    A grunt escaped her as she heaved a heavy case of field tools out of the van; a moment later it was pulled from her hands as the scent of warm caramel whispered under her nose.
    “Allow me, Dr. Stuart.”
    The sweet, dark fragrance faded from her senses, replaced by the same voice echoing in her memory.
When he takes hold of your arm, child, jerk yourself to the left, very quickly.
    “Dr. Stuart?”
    Alys swatted at the hair that had fallen into her eyes to cover her distress. “Mr. York.” When she was able to, she smiled blindly up at Beau’s face. “Such a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here so soon.” She recalled the absence of any other vehicles. “How did you get out here?”
    “An acquaintance drove the truck that brought me and the equipment. I switched on the lighting and had a look around the old church.” He hefted the box of tools as if it were filled with cotton balls. “Where do you want this?”
    “Under the long table the interns are setting over there.” She pointed toward Chan and Paolo, and watched him carry it past a wide-eyed Brenda, who rushed to her.
    “Dr. Al, what’s the delish guy from the hotel doing here?” the student demanded.
    “That’s Mr. York, and he works for the foundation that is funding our excavation. Once we’ve finished unloading, I’ll introduce him to everyone.” Alys handed her a box of cataloging materials. “This goes in the processing area.”
    From that point the setup went smoothly and quickly, with Beau moving the bulk of the equipment cases and boxes of supplies, which allowed the interns to begin arranging their work areas. Alys focused on erecting the canopied mesh tent that she and the students would use as an on-site lab. Hammering the support stakes into the cold ground also allowed her to exorcise some of her pent-up annoyance, although the telescopic aluminum poles and the large roll of roofing canvas weren’t meant to be assembled by one person.
    Before she could call Charles over to help, Beau appeared at her side. “You look as if you could use a helping hand.”
    “No, what I need is some pepper spray,” Alys muttered.
    “I have excellent hearing,” Beau said casually, “and as I’m certain you really don’t wish to temporarily blind me, why don’t you tell me how this goes together?”
    He had a good sense of humor, Alys thought, feeling a twinge of envy. No one would ever accuse her of the same.
    She gave him a brief rundown of how the tent was assembled, and added, “We have to raise the two support poles at the same time, which can be a little awkward. I can have one of the students—” She stopped as he strodeover to the opposite side of the canvas and bent to grasp the pole, which he handled without difficulty.
    “On three?” he suggested.
    Alys nodded, he counted, and together they raised the canopy. Beau appeared to have no problem sinking his pole into the ground, and came over as Alys struggled with her side.
    “The ground is still hard from the last freeze.” He wrapped one hand around the pole above hers, and she felt the aluminum slide through her fingers as his arm flexed. He stepped back and glanced at the other pole. “Is that even, then?”
    “It looks like it.” She didn’t understand why his effortless show of strength