Nothing New Under the Sun, page 12
Jonathan sat next to his old friend Will at the dinner table that night. When Carter and Mackenzie sat down opposite him, he commented. “I was telling your grandfather earlier how proud he must be of you. I’m convinced this is going to be far more significant than the discovery of Tutankhamun’s Tomb. If our speculations about the age of this place are even remotely accurate, this will require a rewrite of human history.”
Will nodded his head in agreement and Mackenzie was glowing with delight.
“Have you heard people are saying the city is over 30,000 years old?” Jonathan inquired.
Carter shook his head. “I would really like to believe that, but you know as well as I do that we won’t know a thing until the carbon dating begins.”
Will smiled. “Who knows, it could be older. At least no one is calling it Atlantis.”
“At least” Carter agreed with a smile, and then continued. “Our survey tasks just went up tenfold. I have convinced the representative from the ministry that we need a lot more help, and she assured me the Cultural Ministry is going to do their part. Dr. Sams is still shaking from the experience.”
“That’s good to know,” Jonathan said.
Carter turned, looking in the direction of the mountains. “There’s a lot of gold in that site. I just hope and pray Lt. Cervantes and his men are capable of keeping the looters away. It would be beyond disastrous if those artifacts were melted down.”
The media descended on the site a week later, a few days after Mackenzie and Grandfather Will flew out. The morning of their departure, Carter took Will aside for a grandfather-grandson-talk. Mackenzie could see them talking and Will smiling from ear to ear. But, she could only wonder what they said as the two of them remained tight-lipped.
Carter stayed a week more until he felt confident the site was under control and Jacob had a suitable survey team assembled, and then returned to Boston.
The Cusco site made news headlines around the world, and within a few weeks, the place was swarming with legions of photographers, journalists, scientists, archeologists, real and pseudo-academics and many more. As Jonathan predicted, the discovery caused upheaval in archeological circles when geologists indicated that the age of the city was between 30,000 – 40,000 years.
Some of the many ‘ists’ of course immediately cried foul. Others were more sensible and investigated for themselves, then changed their views. Still others stayed away and prayed that another volcano eruption or an earthquake would bury the place so deep it would never be found again.
***
Mary Anderson loaded the dishwasher after dinner and listened to news coming from the TV in the family room where Steven sat. They hoped to catch more announcements about Carter and his team’s discovery in Peru. It had dominated the evening news for several nights in a row until the usual doom and gloom of earthquakes and war stories returned.
The phone rang, and she answered. It was Carter, asking if he could come over a bit later – on his own. Mary smiled.
When she walked into the family room, Steven inquired about the call. “Carter is coming over a bit later.” She paused and, getting no reaction from Steven, she added. “On his own.”
Steven’s attention was still on the TV, and it took a few moments before he realized what she just said. He looked at Mary questioningly. “On his own?”
“Steven, are you ready to give our little foxy’s hand away in marriage?”
“What? Who will dare to …?” Steven said and stopped mid-sentence when the realization dawned on him.
Mary laughed when she saw the expression on his face.
“Well?”
He switched the TV off; there was a long silence, and then he spoke. “Mary, no father is ever ready for that. But if it is a man like Carter who is asking, no father will ever say no.”
When Carter arrived, Steven sat down across from him at the kitchen table; Mary went to the counter and started the coffee machine.
“So, Carter,” he said. “What brings you out our way?”
Carter was nervous. Knowing that this moment had always been awkward for every young man through the ages didn’t ease his tension at all. He almost stuttered but managed to get control of himself before he spoke. “Steven and Mary, I am deeply in love with Mackenzie and I’m here to ask you for your blessing to ask her for her hand in marriage.”
In the hour since Mary told him what to expect from Carter’s visit, Steven had enough time to come to terms with the fact that his little daughter had become a grown woman. He smiled for a few seconds after Carter’s question, wondering if he should ask the man about his ability to take care of his daughter, and tell him what the consequences will be if he does not treat her well.
Carter saw the smile on Steven’s face, looked at Mary and saw tears welling up in her eyes – realizing they were tears of happiness.
Steven looked at Mary and then at Carter and said, “I always knew my little girl would grow up some day and, even if I went looking, I couldn’t have found a better man for her than you.” He got up and shook Carter’s hand.
Mary wiped the tears from her eyes as she hugged her husband then walked around the table and embraced Carter in a motherly hug.
Steven said with a big grin on his face, “Carter, there’s just one point I need to clarify with you. We gave you our blessing to go ahead and ask her, but she is the one who will say yes or no.”
“Point taken Steven,” he laughed “but if she says no will you back me up if I tell her you two actually made the decision on her behalf, and she has no choice?”
Mary just laughed. “You can try, but I’m not taking any responsibility for what happens to you if you do.”
Carter left his future in-laws a relieved man. They promised to keep his secret from everyone, especially Mackenzie.
He really hadn’t expected there would be any trouble with them, but for him it was important – he still believed in the good old tradition of good manners and respect towards a girl’s parents.
“A solitaire,” Carter was telling the jeweler the next day. “I think a solitaire would be ideal - a size six ring.” Mary had given him Mackenzie’s ring size.
Carter was in the diamond district of Boston. One could find almost any gemstone or jewelry they wanted in one of the many family-owned jewelry businesses in this part of town. Some of them had been diamond cutters for five generations or more.
Because of the need for security, the various stores clustered together in a series of interlocking shops and buildings. In one building alone there were over 60 different companies catering to the jewelry trade. On every corner, there was a police officer and two security guards. Millions of dollars in gemstones and precious metals changed hands there every day.
His grandfather told him which jewelry store to visit and recommended an old master jeweler to talk to about a unique design. If everything went as planned, he would return in a few months to buy the wedding ring too. Carter walked into the busy store earlier in the day and asked for the man recommended by his grandfather. Now he was sitting in a private booth talking to him - a man older than his grandfather even, and a well-known master of his craft. As Carter explained what he needed, the old man nodded with a smile on his face.
“I believe I know just the ring,” he said and went to work showing Carter stones and describing the setting he had in mind.
The next part of his plan, as discussed with Grandpa Will back in the mountains of Peru, was to get Mackenzie up to Freydis for a few days. Carter had to wait another week for the ring to be ready.
Spring had the university bedecked with blossoming cherry trees and flowers. The heavy coats of winter had vanished little by little, and the temperature became bearable outside. He waited until ten in the morning and called Mackenzie in her office.
“You up for a trip this weekend?” He asked.
“Where to?” She asked. “And please don’t say Peru. I’m still coming down from that cave. Looks like the government of Peru is working the media big time down there. Everyone wants to see that underground city and the Golden Garden, but they’ve sealed it off with the army.”
“Yeah, so Jacob tells me. I was thinking of a quiet weekend up at Freydis.”
“Freydis! That’s the best offer I’ve had in weeks. Exactly what I need after two weeks of sorting through inaccurate data.”
“I will have the plane ready by mid-day on Friday. If we leave then, we can be there before sunset.”
He checked with the control tower and found out the weather over Canada looked good for the next week. Excellent, he thought, everything is working out perfectly. He picked up the little box. It was perfect for what he had in mind. With care, he opened it. The box appeared to have been constructed 100 years ago, and it would fool most unskilled observers - such as Mackenzie. Taking his time, he inserted the small envelope on the inside of the lid.
Carter closed the box and put it in a special compartment in his flight bag. He’d already sent an email to his Canadian customs contact about the sensitive little package he would have in his plane this weekend, but decided to call her just to be sure nothing would interfere with his plans. His customs agent seemed impressed when he described the box and the reason for it.
“She’ll never know,” the woman told Carter. “I saw your email and talked to my supervisors. They told me to physically identify it and see that it matches the receipt you sent us. If all of that checks out, there will be no problem.”
Reassured, Carter continued with his plans.
When the plane touched down for the customs check, he told Mackenzie she didn’t have to get out, that it was going to be just a few minutes. She was tired and happy to remain on the plane.
“Let’s see it,” the customs officer said. Carter could swear she was excited. He fished the small box out and showed it to her as she pulled out a jeweler’s loupe to examine it.
“It had to have cost you a pretty penny,” she murmured. “I’m guessing we’re looking at a VVS-1 color F? Seven karats I would say.” She referred to the diamond grading system used all over North America and the world.
“You certainly know your rocks,” Carter laughed.
“It comes in handy in my line of work,” she told him. “You’d be surprised what people try to sneak in across the border without paying duty.” She made a few notes on her computer tablet and handed the box back to him. “I’m sure your lady is going to love this ring.” She smiled.
The remainder of the trip to the ranch was uneventful. They stayed up late with his grandfather, looking at the latest photographs from the underground city and making plans for the rest of the stay.
***
The next morning Carter and Mackenzie took off on a hike to spend a few days on the edge of the ranch - his favorite place - where he always went when he wanted to be alone and do some thinking. Now he was going to share it with the love of his life.
It was also the place Ahote had hidden the little box for him. Shortly after arriving at the ranch, Carter had excused himself, borrowed the electric cart, and visited Ahote. He showed Ahote the box and asked him to go out early the next morning and hide it in the specified place. Ahote and Bly were elated when they heard what Carter told them.
“Consider it done,” Ahote said.
Carter wanted to arrive at the campsite as the sun was setting. He wanted Mackenzie to see the landscape as he remembered it - with the golden sun setting over the wooded hills. By the time they arrived, the sun was indeed setting, and the land was quiet except for the rustling of animals in the undergrowth and the occasional birdcall heard in the distance.
There was a hidden grove leading to a cave carved out of the hill over the eons by running water. From here, they could see an open valley below, and the river that snaked through it. Mackenzie stood motionless, entranced by the scene as she watched the eagles gliding above. A herd of deer grazed in the distance, the buck watching out for the does with his antlers raised for combat.
“What do you think of this place?” Carter asked as he placed one arm around her. “Do you like it?”
“I am in harmony with the universe,” she whispered. “I know it sounds like a cliché, but that’s how I feel right now. I’ve never felt so much at peace with the world as right now. Do you understand what I mean?”
He smiled “That’s why I brought you here. This is my most favorite place on earth; you are the first person whom I’ve ever shared it with.”
“I am privileged.” She turned and looked down into the valley. “Are there salmon in the stream down there?”
“You see where it ripples on the rocks? If you’re here during the salmon run, you’ll see bears fishing for them. It’s the most amazing thing in the world to see the bear cubs trying to catch the fish as their mothers toss one to them on the banks.”
They went to the cave entrance where he always kept a store of firewood for camping. In minutes, he had a fire going, ringed with rocks to keep the flames under control. Mackenzie hunkered down and warmed her hands over flames. Carter took out a chicken Blythe had packed for them and placed it on a spit over the fire. He turned the chicken slowly to make certain it cooked all the way through while they talked.
Mackenzie looked around. “Another cave? I take it you have dug here before. Any earth-shattering discoveries?”
“I’ve done some digging,” he told her, noting the place where he’d told Ahote to leave the box. What do you say we have a look around together? You never know, I might have missed something.”
He stood up from the fire and led Mackenzie a few feet back into the cave and began moving some rocks around on the floor.
“What is it with you and caves?” she laughed while watching him.
“You’d be surprised what you can find in a simple cave,” he told her. “The oldest known drawings by humans were found in caves.” He turned over a rock and found the hidden box.
“Check this out,” he told her sounding very excited. “I think I’ve found something.” He knelt down as if for a closer examination.
She came closer and saw what appeared to be a very old, small box on the floor of the cavern, partially covered by a few limestone rocks. Her scientific curiosity aroused, she leaned down and reached toward it, but paused.
“Is it okay if I pick it up?” she asked.
“Go right ahead. Let’s see if there is something inside.”
She picked up the box and opened it. Her eyes shone in the dim light of the fire bouncing off the cave walls as she looked at the ring inside. “Wow! Carter! Look at this. There’s a ring inside! Can you believe it?”
Carter was still on his knees. “Is there something else inside?”
Slowly she pulled the envelope out and opened it. With care, she pulled the little card out of the envelope. Something was registering in her mind. “This doesn’t look very old.” She said and started reading the words.
Mackenzie. I love you with all my heart and soul. Will you marry me? Love, Carter.”
Her emerald green eyes grew big and then filled with tears as she nodded her head.
“Is that a yes?” he asked eagerly.
“Yes, yes, yes!” she cried, covering his face with kisses. “Of course, I’ll marry you!”
Carter took the ring out of the box and slipped it on the ring finger of her left hand.
“This is so beautiful Carter. I can’t believe you’ve done this.” Mackenzie wiped away the tears best as she could.
Carter let out a sigh of relief. He was sure she’d say yes, but there was always the element of uncertainty. After all, she did have red hair.
As they sat down on a blanket, Carter brought out a bottle of wine and two wine glasses from his pack.
They touched their glasses in salute and then sipped slowly on the wine while snuggled up in each other’s arms – the happiest people in the world.
“We’re spending the night here?” she asked.
“Unless you’re afraid of me and want to go home,” he laughed.
She threw a playful punch at him and then grabbed him in a hug. “I can’t believe how you set this whole thing up. You are a real romantic. I love it.”
Mackenzie saw movement outside the cave. “Well, hello there!” she said to the new guests.
On the edge of the clearing were two timber wolves. They stood there watching them, their snouts sniffing the air. They must have picked up the smell of the chicken. Carter thought with concern.
He looked at his pack – his pistol was there if necessary, but the animals didn’t look aggressive.
Mackenzie looked at the wolves and laughed. “Okay you two, off you go. You can visit us another time. Tonight we would like to have our privacy.” She pointed them back to the woods with her outstretched arm and finger.
Carter was surprised Mackenzie was not terrified. He couldn’t believe his eyes when the two animals turned around and disappeared into the night as if they understood every word she said.
How is this possible? She grew up in a city. This is probably the first time she’s seen wolves in the wild. Yet she has no fear of them. Maybe she really is in harmony with the universe.
He took her face in his hands and kissed her, feeling her respond with an urgency that matched his desire. He brought his hand to her long thick plait of red-gold hair that shone in the firelight. How beautiful it was. Gently and slowly, he unbound it and spread it like a cape around her shoulders.
Chapter 14
Dearly beloved
As Carter and Mackenzie hiked back to the cabin the next day, they became aware of the two wolves following them. Mackenzie saw them first. It was the same pair from the night before, matching pace with them as they continued to the cabin.
When they got close to the homestead, she stopped and turned to the wolves who were still about 50 yards away. She just smiled and pointed them back to the woods without saying a word. The two animals looked at her, turned, and disappeared amongst the trees.
Carter shook his head. Here was a mystery that needed explanation – or maybe not.
