The women were walking through one of the small fields of small melons.
“That’s nice,” Dallas said, a bit distractedly.
Safra’s cell phone beeped. While Safra fiddled with her phone, Dallas turned in a circle. All but one side of the valley was bordered by the massive red rocks arching up into the bright blue sky. Dallas stared off into the distance in the direction without the rocks and could see for miles. She tried to imagine what it would be like to live out here. It was so peaceful. Maybe she could join the Daughters of Isis and live this simple life. Lost in her thoughts, Dallas didn’t quite catch something that Safra was saying to her.
“I’m sorry?” Dallas said, shaking her head. “I was daydreaming. It’s so peaceful here.”
Safra laughed. “I said that while I’d love to show you around more and have you stay longer, I just got confirmation from Egypt that you need to prepare for the dig.”
Dallas scrunched up her face. “What dig? I don’t understand.”
Her face felt icy cold even though the morning sun was shining warmly down on her bare arms.
“I just heard back from Cairo this morning. Based on your research and findings, our people in Cairo have been able to garner you a license to excavate through the minister of antiquities office.”
None of it registered for Dallas.
“Minister? Wait. Same dude who only gave me two weeks?”
“This will be for the first three months of the season. Pack your bags. The season begins in two weeks.”
Dallas closed her eyes tightly and then opened them, squinting. It wasn’t sinking in. Approval to excavate? How was this even possible?
“I don’t have a funding source to pay my crew...” she trailed off. Impossible. Back to Taposiris Magna?
Safra smiled. “I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear. The dig is funded by the Daughters of Isis. A crew is being assembled as we speak. We are bringing in experts from London and Cairo and Washington D.C. We will have special equipment to survey underground, we are contacting your friend Sam Randall about the trip and you will be partnering with Danny O’Brien, an Australian archeologist who has been pursuing theories similar to yours. You will find him a worthy partner and a big help I believe as he is an expert in the underground surveying. He is very eager to work with you and meet Sam Randall.”
For a few seconds, there was silence as it all sunk in.
“But…why?” Dallas asked.
“We believe in you. We believe that you will be the one to find Cleopatra’s tomb.”
Dallas felt faint. “I don’t understand.”
Safra smiled. “Go pack your bags. It may take a few minutes to sink in. But don’t tarry, you leave for Cairo in four days.”
Dallas started to walk back to the house feeling like a zombie. Safra called after her.
“Also?”
Dallas stopped and turned. “Yes?”
“We’ve made arrangements through the university for Colton McCloud to take a sabbatical and accompany you on the dig. I will fill you in after you pack.”
Safra had packed a picnic basket for Dallas and placed it on the passenger seat before closing the door. She leaned through the open window and smiled.
“You have my number now. You know you can always call me for help. I don’t like to leave the farm, but I would if you needed me. And I want you to know, we have people everywhere.”
“I kind of got that,” Dallas said and then quickly added. “and thanks. Thanks for everything.”
Safra’s smile disappeared. “Dallas, we were only able to garner a permit for three months. After that, it is up to you to attempt to get it extended.”
“In other words, I better find something?”
Safra nodded her lips clamped together.
Dallas met her eyes. “I understand.”
It was do or die. If she didn’t find something during those three months her shot was over. She had to. It was her last chance.
As Dallas pulled out of the circle driveway, she waved goodbye to the women on the porch and Safra and started to think about everything that had happened this morning.
She clutched the ankh on its leather cord between her fingers and thumb, feeling it’s smooth, worn surface. It was her destiny to return to Egypt. Of that, she no longer doubted.
Time to pick herself up, brush herself off, and go after her dreams.
She cranked the radio to a classical rock station, and stepped down hard on the gas, the wind blowing through the open window, whipping her long hair. She glanced in her rearview mirror and saw Safra’s regal form standing in the middle of the driveway. She was confused when the figure grew blurry until she realized her cheeks were wet with tears.
“I’ve got the funding.”
“What?” Colton’s smile was the best thing she’d seen in a long time. “Is that how you greet me after all this time?”
“I’m going to Egypt. You are coming along. We leave next week.”
She’d barged into his office as soon as she pulled into town.
He stood up behind his desk, his eyes wide. “I don’t understand.”
“This group I went to see—long story, but in a nutshell—Colton we have funding! We have our flights, everything, all of it, paid for.” Dallas said it all in a rush. And then she frowned. “Oh my gosh. I mean, if you want to go. It would mean leaving teaching for a year. I guess I probably should’ve asked you first.”
“We?” Colton said. “Me?”
“Oh did I forget that part? I guess you’ve been granted a sabbatical to accompany me. We have three months to find something to get the permit extended, but your leave is for a year. That is, if you want it?” Dallas suddenly was filled with doubt.
Colton came around and grabbed her in a big bear hug lifting her up and whooping.
“Of course, I’m going. This is amazing news. I can always come back to
