Forbidden Ground (Cold Creek #2)(77)

“True,” Grant said, looking at Kate instead of Brad. “I do.”

“So,” Brad said, clapping his hands once. “I’ll just get on my cell and find out why the new trees aren’t here yet, if there was a problem. Be right back.”

“Sorry I thought it was you,” Grant said, taking her arm and gently turning her to face him. “Really. I’m just uptight.”

“I understand.”

“So what’s he mean about the symbolism of the hawthorn?”

“As he said, it’s Celtic, not Adena—that is, unless the Celts became the Adena. I’m wondering if your grandfather planted hawthorns there because that’s what was there when he entered the mound years ago—and was planted there long before him.”

“You mean the Adena might have originally planted them there and they reproduced over the centuries? So what’s the deal about the hawthorn? That those long, sharp thorns have the message ‘Keep out!’?”

“In Celtic beliefs, the hawthorn was associated with death, so in Europe, they’re sometimes found near Celtic burial sites. But I—I hadn’t even thought of that. They could be a link, just like the oversize weapon heads. Grant, like ax heads enlarged for burial sites in both Celtic and Adena culture, the planting of hawthorns could be a common element!”

“Because of the thorns, you mean the Celts linked hawthorns to death?”

“They do look forbidding and lethal. But we—Celtic scholars and archaeologists—believe it was probably because a cut hawthorn branch smells like decaying flesh. It’s been proven the chemicals in each are related. You know, as if to remind worshippers or intruders what lies within the tomb or mound—what lies ahead for each of us.”

“Yeah, I noticed years ago that the cut branches stink. But there, see. You have another link between the Celts and the Adena without even disturbing the mound.”

“Before Brad gets back, I want to tell you that I figured out why Jason drew a picture of his dad being cut by the big ax head. Jason says he cut himself on that very thing hidden in their attic and had to have stitches. And that his dad told him that Uncle Grant was there when Todd found it years ago. Grant, that ax head is valuable, important and precious!”

Grant sank onto the big stump of his lost maple tree as Brad came bursting around the side of the mound again. “The nursery I used said we should wait to plant until later in the summer, so I said okay.”

Grant muttered something she couldn’t make out. Was he going to turn on Brad for this attempt at mending bridges? Was he going to turn on her for quizzing Jason about that drawing? Here, she’d been ready to walk out on him, on this mound, and now its access had been made easier by Brad.

Truthfully, all she wanted to do was stay here, talk things out with Grant. Yet he still stood in the way of what she wanted most in life—or was he what she wanted most?





25

After Brad left, Kate and Grant shared dinner and talked. He was trying hard to be careful what he said. For one thing, he felt bad he’d accused her of cutting down and hauling off the hawthorn trees. For another, now that the mound entrance was free of hindrances, he felt as if he was the only thing standing between Kate and the mound.

“Yes, that’s true,” he admitted after she brought up the ax head again. “Todd and I found that out behind the house. We were young—grade school—and, of course, thought it was cool—our secret.”

“You probably didn’t even know they were Adena at the time. When I’ve talked to groups of elementary kids about prehistoric lives, they can’t even grasp the time frame.”

He nodded, grateful she was trying to help him out. He was actually tempted for the first time to just come clean with her, tell her all of it, but Todd and Brad were involved, too. Sometimes he wished the two of them could sell their artifacts to ensure their shaky futures. When they took the things, they knew it was wrong, but not illegal. But they’d kept them for years, even after they did know the consequences. When Gabe got back in a few days, maybe he could handle this, finesse it, though Grant figured he’d say they had to hand everything over.

He took another long drink of wine that went well with the Chinese food Kate had brought. They’d already had a heated discussion when she wouldn’t take his money for the food, but they were both making a big effort to keep the talk civil now. Man, why did things have to be so complicated between them? He’d love to scrape all the layers of his lies away, just hold her and make love to her.

“Was Gabe in on this?” she asked.

“He was away then, and we never told him.”

“By we, you mean just you and Todd?”

“I don’t want you interrogating him while he’s hurt.”

“Of course not. Does Brad know?”

“I’d like you to leave him out of this. He’d get upset, and I need to keep him on an even keel right now. This is between you and me.”

“I’d like to think so, but you haven’t answered my questions very directly.” She stood and tossed her napkin hard at the table. He could tell her temper was going to show again. Her wineglass toppled over, but it was empty. “Then if it’s between us,” she said, “I have a confession to make. I, at least, want to tell the truth.”