Desert Adventure — Dorothy Spicer

Child of Misfortune…

Left unexpectedly disinherited, Laura Maxwell must find a job, and takes one with the eccentric Carrick family -- famed Egyptologists -- as a companion to 8-year-old Megan Carrick. Soon after Laura joins the household, old Mr. Carrick is killed in a fall and little Megan inherits most of his fortune. When, after the funeral, the not-so-grieving widow decides it's time for the family to return to Egypt, Laura goes too. Also in the party are Jeff Carrick, blond, clever, amusing; and Rafe Carrick, Megan's father, dark and moodily attractive. Both men seem interested in Laura but, there's no time for romance. A series of odd accidents involving Megan make Laura suspect that someone is trying to hurt the child. She warns Mrs. Carrick and is accused of “imagining things.” Still another accident convinces Laura it's no her imagination, but as a stranger in a strange country, who can she turn to for help? No to the Carricks, because by now she's positive one of them wants Megan dead…

Also published as: Eye of the Cat