“Why is this an either- or question?”
I made a disgusted sound and started walking again. Carson caught my arm before I’d gone more than two steps. “Hey, I’m sorry. It’s just … you’ve got a lot of family. Can’t I start small? With a cousin or something?”
I thought about it, not for as long as he did. Because I was freezing. “My cousin is in that coffee shop. Let’s start with her.”
After only a microscopic hesitation, he slid his hand down to link with mine. “Do I have to bring presents for all your family?”
“They’re not going to approve of you if you’re cheap.”
“Then I’ll have to come to Texas early so you can help me shop.”
“You can mail-order. I’d rather raise another dinosaur than go to the mall at Christmas.”
We walked along, hand in hand, like the normal couple we were not, and never would be, because we weren’t normal. My phone buzzed in my coat pocket with a text from Taylor.
What do you hear?
I thought about it. I liked not normal. Maybe I could handle being a not-normal couple.
I slipped off my glove and texted my answer with one hand while Carson and I bantered, and he held the other.
Nothing but the rain.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I don’t usually like to use specific places in my books because (a) it constrains me to what’s actually there and (b) I tend to destroy them. But I made an exception for this book, mostly because of Sue. And how could I not use places so full of real, cool stuff?
Things that are real: the Oriental Institute, its pharaoh statue and reading room; the Field Museum with its twenty-three mummies, Great Hall, and three man-eating lions; the St. Louis Art Museum and the Little Dancer Degas bronze and room of Egyptian art.
And of course, Sue the T. rex is real. I couldn’t make that up. You can even follow her on Twitter @SUEtheTrex.
Things that are not real: pretty much everything else. I tried to keep to the true layouts and geography, but the St. Louis museum in particular got a rearrange (and has no Pompeii art or exhibit).
I love museums, and the Field Museum is awesome. You can actually watch the lab geeks work in the DNA and fossil labs. Sorry I made such a mess of the place, guys.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I must thank, as always, my marvelous agent, Lucienne Diver, of the Knight Agency, and my editor, Krista Marino. This book went through a lot, because I went through a lot while I was writing it. They were both patient, but not so patient they didn’t push me to my best writing. Thanks also to all the staff at Random House.
Love and appreciation to the IHOP Musketeers, aka the Ninja Turtles, for listening, laughing, and butt-kicking as necessary. To Jenny Martin, Carson’s biggest fan, and my favorite writing buddy. To Kate Cornell, for asking me just the right questions to help me sort out the rough spots. To Cheryl Smyth, my magical sounding board. Yes, C, we need to work on that Goodnight family tree.
As always, love and gratitude for the support of my family and friends. It’s been a crazier ride than normal, and I couldn’t have made it without you.
And finally, to my readers, and to the bloggers, teachers, and librarians, just for being awesome.
ROSEMARY CLEMENT-MOORE is the author of Brimstone, Highway to Hell, The Splendor Falls, and Texas Gothic. She grew up on a ranch in south Texas and now lives and writes in Arlington, Texas. You can visit her at readrosemary.com.
Rosemary Clement-Moore, Spirit and Dust
(Series: # )
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