Chapter Five #2
Andrea paused, and for a moment he wondered if he’d overstepped.
“I can suggest some names of people to reach out to.” She moved some dirt with her shoe, then scanned the area of land in front of them.
“I read the news articles you sent me about the discovery,” she said.
“It seems like they haven’t identified the species yet, but in this area, there’s a decent chance it’s from the theropod family. Maybe an ornithischian.”
“Imagine our luck if it’s a T. rex,” Seth said. “Now that would really put us on the map. But don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t be disappointed with a triceratops.”
“You really know your stuff,” she said, eyebrow lightly raised. “And here I thought I was wowing you with my professor-speak.”
“Glad you think so.” She felt him studying her. “And you are. Impressing me. Thanks for coming out here. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s exciting,” she said. “I hope everything pans out for you.” The second the words left her mouth, she wanted to take them back.
It hadn’t taken much for Seth to draw her into this project, and she wanted him to keep her in the loop.
But distancing herself was the right thing to do. For so many reasons.
* * *
Not only was Seth feeling buoyed by the notion that this idea of his might have legs, but he was also relishing Andrea’s presence in the early stages of the project. There was no way he wanted to do this without her.
Her smile when she’d spoken of the species that were common in the area was the smile of someone who was in her element. Despite what had happened to her with that loser at the museum, it was clear Andrea had a passion for paleontology.
It was only a ten-minute drive back to her place. Seth eased his foot off the gas, letting the car roll a little slower than necessary. Every extra moment with her felt like a small victory, even if it was only a minute or two more.
“So, you’re basically working two full-time jobs, it sounds like,” said Andrea. “Can I ask—why is it that you’re looking to take on a project of this scope?”
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by dinosaurs,” Seth said. “My childhood bedroom was basically a shrine to the Cretaceous period. I had every dino memorized, and Barnum Brown was my Michael Jordan.”
He looked over to see Andrea smiling. “I can relate,” she said. “Although I was more of a Sue Hendrickson fan myself.”
“Speaking of T. rexes,” Seth said.
“Exactly. I was five years old when she found that near-complete T. rex in South Dakota. I remember reading about it in Highlights magazine with my mother one night before bedtime. I tore it out and kept it in my bedside table until I moved out to go to college.”
Seth grinned. “I think I remember that edition. I read it in the waiting room of my dentist’s office.” He looked over at her to find her still smiling.
“So you’re a real superfan,” she said playfully. “A fossil fanatic.”
“You’ve got it. I guess this project would be a chance for me to live out a childhood dream. Give me an excuse to geek out in a highly productive way.”
Andrea laughed. “Alright, that makes sense.”
“And I’m hoping,” Seth said, glancing sideways again and admiring how the late afternoon sunlight lit up her beautiful features with a golden glow, “that you’ll want to geek out with me.”
“Personally, I resent the term geek,” Andrea said.
“But it’s a yes?”
She was quiet for a few seconds. “It’s a… It’s an I’m not sure yet.”
Seth didn’t want to push too hard. But the idea of doing this without Andrea’s involvement was…somehow less appealing. He wanted her woven into the fabric of the project. “Do you miss it?” he asked. “I mean, since you’re not at the museum or teaching anymore?”
He had to tread lightly here. It had been obvious that she’d been a bit…
surprised when he’d called and revealed he knew about her work.
But he didn’t want to let on that he now knew why she’d left Denver.
The truth was, he could hardly blame her, after what sounded like a hack job on the part of the museum’s HR department.
But if he could appeal to her mutual love of dinosaurs, the subject of her life’s work, then maybe he could get her to agree.
“While you were plastering your childhood room with dinosaurs, I was dreaming about outer space,” she said.
“I was absolutely obsessed with the night sky growing up, but we lived in the city, and so with all the light pollution I never got to indulge in that interest. So, living out here, where it’s pretty much a celestial show every night, I suppose I’m now living out a childhood dream as well. ”
“I’m sure I can find someone with expertise in that area around here,” Seth said. “If you’re ever interested.” There was something deeply satisfying about the idea of bringing her joy, of being the one to help make something she cared about a reality.
When he approached the turnoff to Andrea’s ranch, he was almost tempted to drive right by.
He wasn’t ready to say goodbye, not yet.
What he wanted to do was stay on the highway, right on into Bronco Heights, and take her somewhere nice, maybe The Association for dinner.
Order steaks and a bottle of Bordeaux and get to know every detail about Andrea Spence.
Likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams for the future.
She was not only stunning, but her intelligence and sense of humor were like a magnet for him, and the idea of saying goodbye with no clear idea of when he might see her again left a strange feeling in his chest that he wasn’t sure how to shake.
* * *
When Seth pulled up her driveway, Andrea was surprised to discover she wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet. She’d enjoyed the afternoon more than she’d expected.
Seth was handsome in a way that set off way too many alarm bells.
The revelation that he was part of a major corporate empire was unexpected—she still had to wrap her head around that—but for all the qualities that put him in the column of “warning: dangerous man ahead,” there was a sweetness to him.
The way he spoke with genuine conviction about wanting to help the community, his words laced with a sincerity that hinted at something deeper. It wasn’t just about business for him—there was a real altruism beneath it all, a desire to make a difference.
And that? That was not only admirable. It was dangerously attractive.
It was making her want to tell him to park the car and come inside.
But she wasn’t going to be that stupid again.
“Thanks again for coming along today,” Seth said, putting the car into Park, engine idling. “Any chance you’d be interested in meeting for lunch next week? I have a few more ideas I’d love your input on.”
The correct answer was on the tip of her tongue.
Thanks, but no thanks. Andrea didn’t owe Seth anything, and she was pretty sure he could figure things out on his own.
She could stay at arm’s length, let him do his thing, and watch from a safe, drama-free distance as he brought a great idea to life in Tenacity.
But the words wouldn’t come out. Because despite her good sense, and her reluctance to stoke the embers between her and Seth, she actually did want to get together with him. She just had to be smart about it.
“Sure,” she said, hoping her tone came across as light.
Lunch was safe, neutral. Not like dinner, which was inherently more intimate.
“How about the Silver Spur? I know that’s a lot of driving for you, though.
” She’d only been to the diner that one time when she’d first toured the ranch, but she knew it was popular.
Busy was good. Busy meant noise, people, distractions—everything she’d need to keep her wits about her.
“I don’t mind,” Seth said. “I like driving. Monday at noon? I can pick you up.” Andrea considered. The thought of sliding back into this car, surrounded by the warm leather and the maddeningly perfect scent of Seth Taylor, was dangerously tempting.
“I’ll meet you there,” she said quickly. “Noon on Monday.”
Seth’s smile lit up his face, sending a flutter rippling through her stomach. She steeled herself against it, but as he drove away, she couldn’t help feeling as though she’d just agreed to something much riskier than lunch.
* * *
An hour later, she was doing her best to convince herself that she hadn’t made a stupid, reckless decision.
Lunch. Lunch was fine, right? Lunch was when people did business, then went home to their families. She could do lunch.
But the truth gnawed at her. She wanted dinner, and she wanted dessert, and everything that came after dessert.
But dinner, dessert and everything after was not why she’d come to Tenacity.
Andrea stood in the front hall of the ranch, surveying the progress she’d made, and all the work that still needed to be done. Any thoughts of after-dessert activities needed to be put aside.
Over the next two hours, Andrea did her best to busy herself with some of the tasks on her list. Match paint chips with fabric swatches for window coverings. Compare towel and linen prices from the two companies she’d narrowed down to.
But despite her best efforts, her thoughts kept turning back to Seth.
The way his face came alive when talking about the research he’d done, and the shimmer of excitement she’d felt talking about her past life. The first time it had felt positive since she’d packed up and left Denver.
Andrea sighed, setting the swatches aside as her gaze drifted to the horizon beyond the ranch. Maybe coming to Tenacity wasn’t just about starting over—it was about discovering what she truly wanted, even if that meant risking more than she’d planned.