What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez

Author:Isabel Ibañez [Ibañez, Isabel]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CAPÍTULO DIECINUEVE

We stepped out into the sunlit courtyard, Whit walking ahead. Usually, he matched his pace to mine. Not today, evidently. He had a strong curve to his back, a proud line to his shoulders. I remembered the moment when he’d breathed into my mouth, saving my life in the deep of the Nile River. My stomach flipped as my mind revisited the kiss in Cairo, the slight brush of his lips against my skin. How he’d lingered for one long beat, hovering close, his warm scent enveloping me, faintly smelling like our library back home, old books and whiskey and leather.

Sometimes, I caught him staring when he thought I wasn’t looking.

I couldn’t help wondering if he was as confused as I was. Attracted and fighting it. Charmed, but trying not to be. I wondered if he was as inconvenienced as I was. Maybe that was the reason for his determined aloofness? A question was out of my mouth before I thought it through. “Suppose my uncle succeeded. Would you have been sorry to see me go?”

“Desolated,” he said cheerily, without turning around. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Can you take nothing seriously?”

He turned his head halfway in my direction. “Was that a serious question?”

It had been, but now I regretted asking. “The moment has passed.”

Whit faced forward. “Probably for the best.”

There he went, using my words against me. How unspeakably annoying. We said nothing until I pulled out an easy question as we walked through the pylons. “What are you going to do for the rest of the day?”

“Assist Abdullah. What did you think of him?”

“I like him,” I said. I couldn’t quite keep a twinge of bitterness out of my tone. Had my parents wished it, I could have met him years ago. “I wish I knew him better. I barely know the story of how my uncle and Abdullah met.”

“They infuriated each other from the first.” Whit slowed down, shortening his strides. “Ricardo was a young excavator, utilizing tools and practices he’d learned in Argentina. Abdullah took one look at his methods and proceeded to correct every single one.”

I laughed. “I can imagine how much my uncle appreciated that.”

“Oh, he hated it. But digging in the desert is entirely different than moving around rocks. He’s learned a lot from Abdullah regarding excavating in Egypt. Then he married Abdullah’s sister, Zazi. Did you ever meet her?” Whit fell silent. “They rarely speak of her, but she loved Egyptian ancient history. It makes sense she and your uncle got married, and why he’s still here, doing what she would have wanted. Your uncle is very loyal.”

“My mother said her death hit him hard.” I frowned, recalling a long-ago conversation I’d overheard during his last—and only—visit to Buenos Aires. “She said he could be reckless at times, moody.”

Whit nodded, thoughtful. “That is certainly true. Abdullah keeps him in line, though.”

I tried to keep my tone nonchalant. “Can you?”

His gaze flickered to mine. “That’s not my job.”

“What is your job?”

“I told you, I assist—”

I shook my head.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.