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journal had mentioned Arlen alive in the future. But Abby could not help sighing. She had harbored a hope that she would treat Arlen, then defy the journal and disappear once more, heading for the place of magic that had brought her here. Heading back to Mike. |
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But she could not think of leaving this time until she was certain of Arlen's recovery. And that meant going forward with the wagon train, leaving behind the magic site. |
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Hearing a sound from inside the wagon, Abby turned. Arlen was gasping for breath. ''Here!" Abby handed the oxen team's reins to Lucy and reached inside her tote bag, just as Arlen turned over and began to breathe more quietly. |
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"Is he okay?" Lucy's voice was anxious. |
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"He's fine," Abby assured her. Still, her fingertips rested for comfort on the precious plastic box. |
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Before she withdrew her hand from the bag, she reached around for her other items of comfort. |
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The fossil rock was there, but she did not feel her maps. |
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Stifling a gasp, she glanced inside. She did not see them. With her fingers, she rooted about the bag's contents. |
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They weren't there. She must have dropped them as she'd whirled back through time. She turned her head away from Lucy's curious stare, blinking rapidly as worry flooded her. If she did not have the maps, could she find the ancient Indian site again? Without Mike's books, she could |
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