Sandrift: A Lin Hanna Mystery by Sharon Canipe

the English to colonize…”
    “The Lost
Colony,” Neal interjected, “I’m familiar with that story. Still a mystery.”
    “Yes, it’s both
an interesting and beautiful place.   Grab your jacket, we’ll want to walk through the grounds and it’s a bit
nippy.”
    They walked
through the trails surrounding the visitor center.   Giant hollies—true trees, not
shrubs—dotted the area.   Loaded with red berries they made the grounds appear as if they were
decorated for the upcoming holiday.   They explored the outdoor theater, where the story of the colony was
performed in a drama each summer, taking the stage and pretending to be actors,
enjoying each other’s company.   They
ended by visiting the reconstructed earthworks of the fort before returning to
the visitor center.
    “I almost wish
it were summer so we could see the play,” Neal said.
    “I saw it once
years ago,” Lin replied. “You’ll just have to come back to visit again,” she
responded a bit flirtatiously.
    Neal put his
arm around her shoulder and pulled her toward him. “You won’t have to beg me,”
he smiled, kissing her gently on the forehead.
    The warmth of the
visitor center felt good after their walk outside.  
    “I want to talk
to the ranger on duty,” Lin said, “Kate volunteers here sometimes and suggested
that I might fill in for her if they need extra help.”   She headed for the desk while Neal
decided to browse the exhibits.
    Fortunately the
lead interpretive ranger was on duty.   Lin introduced herself and filled him in on her previous training and
experience as a park volunteer.   She
explained that she was house sitting for Kate Jarman who had suggested they
might need extra help.
    “How do you
feel about school groups?” the ranger asked. “We get very busy with field trips
during the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
    “ I was an
elementary school principal in Charlotte for more than fifteen years,” Lin
offered, “ just retired last year.   I’m very comfortable with kids. I’d enjoy sharing with them and I’m sure
I can manage behavior.”
    The ranger
smiled, “The teachers usually have the groups well in hand, but they do welcome
our help sometimes.   I think you’re
hired Ms. Hanna—you’ll need to complete a volunteer application form for
our records, and if you can wait a moment, I’ll get one for you.   Mind if I bring our schedule too?   We have trips starting next week.”
    “That’s great,
Mr. Davis,” she noted his name tag, “but please call me Lin.”
    “And I’m Bob,”
he offered his hand. “What about your friend?   Does he want to volunteer also?” he
nodded in Neal’s direction.
    “He’s a
professor of archeology, I’m not sure how he would feel about herding
elementary kids around,” Lin joked.
    “Really,” Bob
said, “we just got another grant, or rather The First Colony Foundation did, to
do some more surveys around the site.   We had a dig a couple of years ago that found some artifacts from the
right time period for the lost colony. Scholars are still looking for answers
here.   I’m sure your friend would be
interested in that.”
    Having
overheard this part of the conversation, Neal came over and was soon engaged in
a lively conversation with Bob Davis.   Lin took the time to complete the volunteer application and checked the
schedule of field trips for the coming weeks.   She chose two dates for the upcoming
week and signed up to lead the groups.   The next week she signed up for two more groups, but she decided to
forego the third week.   That would
be just prior to the arrival of her family for the holidays and she thought she
might need more time to prepare for their visit.   She returned the form and the calendar
to Bob.
    “This is great,
it’ll be so helpful for our staff,” he smiled.
    “If I find I
have more free time, I’ll come help some additional days—if that would be
ok.   I’m just not sure how busy I’ll
be later