Kitabı oxu: «A Sheltering Heart»

“Derek’s here to learn all the different aspects of the clinic’s mission and duties. I think starting here would be beneficial for him,” Gwen told Mya, the cook, before turning her gaze to Derek, prepared to see anger or disbelief in his expression.

Instead, amusement danced in his green eyes. Gwen blinked as confusion scattered her train of thought. Giving herself a mental shake, she said, “Each team member takes a turn helping in the kitchen. We feed not only ourselves but the whole village when we are here.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he said. “So, Mya, how can I help?”

Gwen watched the intense way Derek listened and asked questions as Mya explained the process of feeding an entire village of people. Pleasure swelled in her chest. He really was interested in what they were doing. That was good. Really good.

Showing him the importance of the work would be that much easier.

And keeping a professional attitude toward him that much harder.

TERRI REED

grew up in a small town nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. To entertain herself, she created stories in her head and when she put those stories to paper, her teachers in grade school, high school and college encouraged her imagination. Living in Italy as an exchange student whetted her appetite for travel, and modeling in New York, Chicago and San Francisco gave her a love for the big city, as well. From a young age she attended church but it wasn’t until her thirties that she really understood the meaning of a faith-filled life. Now living in Portland, Oregon, with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children, a rambunctious Australian shepherd and an array of other critters, she feels blessed to be able to share her stories and her faith with the world. She loves to hear from readers at P.O. Box 19555, Portland, OR 97280.

A Sheltering Heart
Terri Reed

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said,

“From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.”

—John 7:38

For my children. Thank you for teaching me how to be a mother and for blessing me with unconditional love. Leah and Lissa, as always, you rock!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Epilogue

Letter to Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

Gwen Yates checked the brown leather-banded watch on her wrist. Again. “Where are they?”

Okay, so it had only been all of thirty seconds since the last time she checked but still…where were her boss and his son? The group’s flight would leave in less than twenty minutes and they all still had to get through security.

Her gaze scanned the crowded, sun-drenched Seattle airport terminal, searching through the throng of travelers for Dr. Ross Harper’s distinctive white hair and towering frame.

“Probably stuck in traffic,” offered Gwen’s colleague, Joyce Kincaid.

The tall, athletic woman stood guard over her duffel bag and leaned against the wall of windows separating the foot traffic and the gift shop of SeaTac Airport. Joyce’s short brown hair stuck out in tufts from beneath the brim of a khaki-green hat. She held a medical journal on childhood diseases.

Gwen admired Joyce’s dedication in keeping abreast of changes in her field of pediatrics. Though Joyce had ten years on Gwen, they shared a bond of determination to be the best they could be in each of their chosen fields.

Ned Leeds, another colleague, nodded his balding head. “Monday morning. Slow commute.”

His distinct abrupt way of communicating never failed to astound Gwen, even though his estimate was more than accurate for the Seattle traffic. The short, forty-something surgeon had made it clear in the beginning of her tenure at Harper Clinic that he didn’t waste his breath on trivial conversation. In the three years since Gwen had joined their clinic’s staff as a physician’s assistant, she had yet to hear the man say more than a four-word sentence.

Gwen turned her gaze back toward the ticket area. Dr. Harper would have allowed time for traffic. Something wasn’t right. She toyed with the boarding pass in her hand. “Hey, Craig, do you have your cell on you?”

The fourth member of their team sat on the floor with his back against the wall. Craig Samuels, a twenty-five-year-old intern at Harper Clinic, reached into the outside pouch of the backpack sitting beside him and pulled out a small black flip phone. “Hit number three to auto-dial the doc’s cell.”

As Gwen flipped the phone open, the gate agent announced their flight to London would board soon. Her stomach contracted with anxiety. Where was Dr. Harper? Usually, her boss was prompt and expected others to follow suit.

She listened to the phone ringing. He was probably late because of his son, Derek, the unexpected add-on to this trip.

Gwen didn’t agree with her boss that the new CEO of Dr. Harper’s brainchild, Hands of Healing International, should join the team on this particular mission. Son of the founder notwithstanding, the man hadn’t even been in his position for more than six months and had failed to show up on time to the training classes to boot.

Gwen had received the disturbing impression that Derek was only biding his time, trying to please his father, until something bigger and better came along.

Gwen’s limited dealings with Derek, Dr. Harper’s only child, had left an indelible impression. There was a recklessness to him that was disturbing, and she didn’t like his intense way of looking at her as if she were some unexplainable virus strain that needed to be studied.

Not to mention the undercurrent of competition that charged the air whenever he was present. She had no clue what prize he wanted, but she’d decided not long after he’d come aboard that minimal contact was the best option.

“Harper.”

The deep male voice rattled Gwen from her thoughts.

Derek.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“Just pulling up. There was an accident on I-5.”

Thankful Dr. Harper and his son weren’t the ones in the accident, she let out a relieved breath. “We’re waiting at the security checkpoint.”

“See you in a few.” The phone went dead.

Gwen snapped the small handheld phone closed and handed it back to Craig. “They’re on their way.”

Joyce pushed off from the wall and snagged her duffel bag by the strap. “Let’s get in line.”

The rest of the group picked up their bags and moved to the end of the long line of people waiting to enter the roped-off area for the security check.

Craig tried to reassure Gwen. “No need to worry. They’ll make it.”

Gwen nodded and followed the others to the line, her own backpack gripped in one hand. Their carry-on luggage held their personal items while the baggage they’d all checked would transport the medical supplies they’d need in Africa.

Her anxiety eased a bit as she stood at the end of the security line. She knew what to expect on her third trip as part of Hands of Healing International.

On the long flight to London she planned to rest, listen to a variety of music on her iPod and sleep with the help of an eye mask and a squishy pillow she’d tucked into her backpack.

After a twenty-hour layover in London they’d board another plane, then land in Kampala, Uganda, and from there they’d take a transport to the small province of Moswani, located at the southwestern corner of Uganda, bordering Rwanda.

This trip would be unusual in several ways, most importantly because Derek Harper was coming to shadow his father and learn firsthand the administrative needs of the ministry his father had started sixteen years earlier.

She looked forward to proving to Dr. Harper that she was ready to lead her own team on a Hands of Healing mission as they’d discussed several times over the last few months. Dr. Harper had indicated that this trip would be Gwen’s time to be in charge of the medical personnel while Dr. Harper showed his son the meaningfulness of the work.

Gwen was grateful her dealings with Derek would be minimal. He made her uncomfortable, not in a sleazy way, but in a strange, unfamiliar way that left her feeling vulnerable and self-conscious. She didn’t like the feelings at all.

“Harper.”

Ned’s low warning in Gwen’s right ear invaded her space and made her quickly step back. For a breathless moment she rocked off balance onto the heels of her tennis shoes.

But then a big, strong hand grasped her elbow, pushed her slightly forward, back on to firm footing, holding her until her world steadied. She quickly extracted her elbow from the strong grip.

“Thank you,” she murmured as she turned her gaze to her rescuer and met vivid green eyes.

Tall, blond and amused, Derek Harper cocked a tawny brow at her. “Too much coffee?”

Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth for half a second before she regained her composure. “I don’t drink coffee.”

“Ah. Maybe you should.” He turned his attention to the others. “Good morning all. I guess we’re really going to do this.”

Joyce smiled. “So glad to have you along, Derek.”

Gwen stared at the slightly interested gleam in Joyce’s blue gaze. Surely Joyce wasn’t falling victim to Derek’s surfer, beach-bum good looks.

Gwen gave a mental shrug. She certainly didn’t care if Joyce set her sights on Derek. Romantic relationships were the last thing on Gwen’s mind. They were too unpredictable and too easy to lose control of.

As Derek shook hands with Craig and then Ned, Gwen asked, “Where’s your father?”

“He and Mother are coming.”

Gwen raised her brows. “Your mother’s coming on the trip?” That was also new and unusual.

From what Gwen had gathered over the years, Sally Harper didn’t travel—something about a fear of flying—even though she supported her husband’s vision of spreading God’s word through providing medical services to those in need.

Derek’s gaze bored into her. The quick negative shake of his head left her bewildered. In the past, Mrs. Harper said her goodbyes at home.

Gwen rationalized that since both son and father were traveling on this trip that Mrs. Harper had decided to see them off. Not so unusual in the grand scheme of things, she supposed. Gwen really liked her boss’s unassuming and soft-spoken wife.

A small gasp from Joyce alerted Gwen’s sense of unease. The little hairs on the back of her neck prickled.

“Here they are,” Derek said and moved aside so they could be joined by Dr. and Mrs. Harper.

Gwen echoed Joyce’s gasp and shock skipped up her spine to settle in a pounding beat behind her eyes. She blinked. But what she saw in front of her didn’t change.

Dr. Harper sat in a wheelchair. The left pant leg of his dark cotton slacks had been cut away from the knee to the toes, exposing a hard white cast. His wife, looking tired, pushed the wheelchair. She was dressed in a comfortable knit two-piece suit in a demure green that brought out the color in her green eyes. Her blond hair was pulled back in a cropped ponytail.

“What…what happened?” Gwen ducked under the rope and moved to Dr. Harper’s side.

Dr. Harper gave a rueful laugh. “Tripped over the dog in the middle of the night and fell down the stairs.”

“Nearly gave us a heart attack,” Sally piped up, placing her hand on his shoulder in a gesture of affection.

“Did you break a bone? Is it serious?”

“A hairline fraction of the tibia. I’m fine. It’ll heal in no time.”

“So you’re okay to travel, right?” Gwen asked, her gaze searching Ross Harper’s lined face.

He shook his head. Regret shone bright in his eyes. “No. Which is why I needed to talk with you all before you leave.”

Gwen’s gut clenched. The situation was spinning out of control. She detested not being prepared for change. She liked life to be predictable and orderly. Though medicine was a practice, procedures and step-by-step instructions kept the unexpected in check. “We should postpone the trip.”

Dr. Harper took Gwen’s hand, the warmth and assurance in his touch calming. “You all still need to go. Family in Crisis is expecting you.”

Their partner organization in Africa had spent money, time and effort in bringing medical personnel to the undeveloped region of Moswani. Hands of Healing had made a commitment. Gwen understood that they had to keep that commitment. She returned to her place in line.

Her mind whirled with the implications of Dr. Harper not joining them. Would she be in charge? Would she be expected to take on the role of administrator, as well? Did Dr. Harper have that much faith in her?

She sent up a silent prayer of thanks to God for the opportunity He’d presented her. She’d make sure not to disappoint Dr. Harper’s trust.

Dr. Harper quickly talked to the group, telling them they would be fine without him because they’d all been on similar missions before and he had no doubts that they’d do splendidly. They could expect a great deal of help from Family in Crisis. He appointed Gwen lead medical personnel.

Even though Gwen knew it was more out of necessity than confidence in her ability—she didn’t have a specialty the way Joyce or Ned did and Craig was too inexperienced—she was pleased.

“So, Derek, this should be an adventure for you,” Craig stated with a wide grin.

Gwen’s gaze jumped to Derek’s. For a fraction of a second she could have sworn she saw hesitation in his eyes before he nodded.

“Yes, and any help you can give me will be appreciated.”

“You stick close, I’ll show you the ropes,” Joyce practically purred.

Gwen frowned. What role would Mister CEO play if his father wasn’t coming to keep him occupied?

They moved collectively forward, inching closer to the no-return zone. Gwen’s palms began to sweat. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Dr. Harper should be leading the way.

“Can we say a prayer?” she asked, needing strength and clarity.

Dr. Harper gave her a pleased smile. Across the security ropes the team members joined hands. Gwen held her hand out to Derek. With a slight frown and quick glance around, he slipped his hand around hers. Dr. Harper intoned a prayer for a safe and successful journey.

“Uh, hmm.” The security attendance cleared his throat, signaling they were next to pass through. Dropping hands, they each showed their IDs and tickets.

“Here we go. See you, Doc,” Ned said as he stepped up to the security post, deposited his bag on the conveyor belt for screening. He stepped through the metal detector and went to collect his bag. Craig and Joyce followed Ned. They cleared security and headed for the gate.

“Bye, Doc,” Joyce said with a wave. “See you in two weeks.”

Gwen stood by, allowing others to go through, as Derek hugged his parents. Derek hefted his big black satchel over his shoulder and slipped under the rope. “Coming, Gwen?”

Dr. Harper waved off his son. “You go ahead. I need a word with her first.”

“Okay.” To Gwen, he said, “See you on the other side.”

“Gwen, I need a huge favor,” Dr. Harper said as soon as his son was through the metal detector and fading into the crowd.

“Anything.”

There were very few people in her life she respected or trusted as much as her boss. Under his tutelage she was learning about medicine as well as life. He was a man who lived his faith.

“I need…we need…” He paused and took his wife’s hand. “We need you to show Derek what the true purpose of Hands of Healing is—that we heal more than just bodies on these trips. Through Jesus’s love, we heal hearts, as well.”

Wishing she could sit down, Gwen shifted her feet as the weight of Dr. Harper’s request pressed on her shoulders. “Wow. That’s a big order, Doc.”

“I know and I’m sorry for that.” His lined face showed his concern. “This isn’t the way I envisioned Derek’s first trip.”

“Sometimes God’s plan is better,” Sally stated softly.

A sinking feeling descended in Gwen’s stomach. Looked as if she was going to be spending a lot more time with Derek than she’d first thought. “I can only promise that I’ll try.”

Dr. Harper squeezed her hand. “That’s all we can ask.”

With a wan smile, she said goodbye and went to join her team.

Derek Harper stood and stretched his legs, thankful he’d paid to upgrade his coach ticket to first class. He couldn’t imagine cramming his six-foot-two-inch frame in a coach seat for an eight-hour transatlantic flight.

Walking down the aisle into the coach section, he noted that the others didn’t seem to mind the less comfortable accommodations of coach. Whatever.

Craig was reclined against the bulkhead with headphones on and his lips moving to the music of his portable CD player. Joyce was farther back on an aisle seat with her nose buried in the book he’d seen her reading earlier. And Ned sat in the far back and looked to be flirting with the flight attendant who was busy getting the refreshments ready.

He thought it curious they didn’t sit by each other. But then again, knowing they’d all be living closely together for the next two weeks, a little space on the flight probably was a good idea.

Not that he would be staying at the camp for the full two weeks. He had a marathon to win.

He was disappointed his father wouldn’t be there to greet him at the finish line as they’d talked about. Part of his father’s argument for Derek coming on this mission trip was that Derek could enter the elite African marathon scheduled for next week and his dad would be there to see it. Having his father watching and cheering him on always boosted his drive to win.

Without his father’s presence in the camp, though, he’d be able to slip away to train more often than he’d anticipated, which could increase his odds of winning.

Providing the redhead his father had put in charge didn’t have a problem with Derek taking off, that is. Though he doubted she would. He was only going to be in the way, considering he had no idea what to expect or how he’d be able to help. He was a businessman, not a doctor, after all. This was supposed to be an opportunity to stand back and observe—learn what he’d be administrating.

But playing along and doing what he could would go a long way to cementing the bond with his father.

Derek stopped at the aisle where Gwen reclined against the window, her head resting on a bright yellow pillow and her long red braid dangling over her shoulder. Her pale, freckled face was relaxed and her dark lashes rested alluringly against her cheek.

He wasn’t sure what to make of the woman. The few times he’d encountered her at the clinic she’d been all business.

Suddenly she opened her eyes and focused her unblinking amber gaze on him. He had the feeling she didn’t let down her guard even in sleep. He smiled. She didn’t.

Time to retreat, because he didn’t want to upset the balance of things just yet. He had a strong suspicion that his plans for finagling extra training time were going to take all his charm to keep the boss lady from interfering.

Gwen disembarked from the plane at Heathrow Airport in England with the other weary passengers. As accommodating as the airline was, she welcomed the relief of standing and walking. Her mouth felt as if she’d swallowed cotton. Long flights always depleted the moisture from her body. The flight, thankfully, had been uneventful and surprisingly restful. She’d managed to sleep for part of the way.

The only unsettling event had been when she’d found Derek standing in the aisle watching her sleep. He’d just smiled before returning to his own seat in first class. She didn’t know what to think about him or his strange behavior.

She’d been a bit miffed at first when he’d stated he didn’t “do” coach. But after thinking the situation through she realized the coach seating would be uncomfortable for someone so tall.

Plus she knew from various overheard snatches of conversations of the staff—hard to not overhear in such a small, contained atmosphere—that Derek was a successful world-class runner.

She shuffled out of the Jetway and spotted her team waiting by a large pillar.

Her team. She liked the sound of that.

She didn’t feel she’d proven herself to Dr. Harper well enough yet, but he must have some confidence that she could handle the mission, which really felt good.

As she approached the group she heard Joyce say, “I’m so glad we have this layover. Usually, we have to rush from one flight to another.”

“Hey, Gwen, where are we staying tonight?” asked Craig. He looked rumpled and in need of a shave.

“We’re booked at The Lodge hostel near Paddington Station. It’s a short Tube ride.”

“Oh, goody. The tube,” Ned said dryly.

Gwen knew the surgeon wasn’t fond of the London subway any more than he was of the New York one. He’d grown up in a borough of New York City but had moved to the Pacific Northwest to get away from the urban life.

Derek frowned. “You mean we’re staying at a hotel, right?”

Gwen adjusted the strap on her shoulder. “No. A hostel.”

He arched a brow. “Aren’t hostels like boarding houses?”

“Yes,” Gwen replied as she started walking down the concourse. The others fell into step with her.

“Believe me, the hostel we’re staying at is a palace compared to the accommodations we’ll have in Moswani,” Joyce commented.

Gwen noticed the brief hesitation in Derek’s eyes.

“Where do we stay?” he asked.

“If you’d made the meetings you’d know we’re staying in an abandoned hospital,” Gwen said over her shoulder.

“Point taken.”

She slowed and glanced at him to see if her censure had offended him.

He shrugged, clearly not offended. “This will be an adventure I’m sure to remember.”

For some reason his dismissive attitude grated on Gwen’s nerves. She reminded herself of his father’s wish for Derek to see the part of their mission that went beyond just the obvious. “This isn’t a vacation. We’ll be doing a great deal of good for the people of Moswani. They are the ones to remember.”

Derek gave her a “what’s your problem” look. “Good to know.”

“Don’t mind her. She’s all work and no play,” Joyce said with a teasing lilt to her voice.

A good dose of irritation shot through Gwen’s veins. Just because she took life seriously didn’t mean she didn’t know how to relax and have fun. She’d enjoyed swimming in the ocean the few times she had gone to the coast along the Oregon and Washington border.

She liked to go to concerts and hear jazz or Christian artists. She’d gone to every one of her friend Tyler’s basketball games. Though she had to have the game explained to her. But still, she’d had fun.

Only, looking into Derek’s amused eyes, she realized their concept of relaxing fun would be vastly different. He’d be off running himself to the max. Or out partying. She’d heard from the nurses that he did the nightclub scene in Seattle.

So what did it matter if they didn’t share mutual downtime pursuits? What mattered was the work they’d be doing in Africa. Not filling his adventure scrapbook.

One more hurdle to cross to fulfilling her promise.