Page 10 of Going, Going, Gone
“What was the coolest thing you ever found in one?”
“Besides evidence of Bigfoot?”
Her eyes widened. “What? You’re joking.”
He winked at her. “Yeah, I am. Actually, though, two of my friends and I found a three-carat garnet a few years ago in a cave in the Blue Ridge—sold it for three grand and split the money. We’ve gone back to the same cave quite a few times since then, but haven’t found anything else over a quarter carat.”
“That’s still cool.”
“Yeah, it is. It’s fun to imagine what it was like for the first settlers in the region when they’d found it was rich in gems. Kind of like the California gold rush. If time travel existed, I think I’d like to see what it was like back then.”
Vanessa smiled. “If time travel existed, I’d have a very hard time choosing just one era to visit. They’re all so fascinating.”
“So are you.”
A blush stole across Vanessa’s cheeks, as Dylan’s surprised expression told her he hadn’t meant to say those words aloud. She bit her bottom lip and glanced away. His compliment had felt so much more than innocent flirting, and it thrilled her. Somehow, she found the courage to meet his intense gaze once more and say, “The feeling is mutual.”
