Healing Tides

by Lois Richer

  “That’s why we’re isolated like this. The infections and viral problems rampant in hospitals and so lethal to burned children don’t occur here. The climate is perfect for healing and we are able to concentrate on our specialty.”

  “Yes.” She glanced around. “How many doctors on staff?”

  “Supposed to be four plus me. Six counting you. They come and go.” A sideways glance told her he expected her to do the same. “We’re two short at the moment so we take turns rotating shifts. That way everyone gets a break. We don’t often get a flight this late but it happens.”

  “I don’t suppose anyone can predict tragedy.”

  “There are usually three doctors on call but Dr. Xavier left suddenly this morning—family emergency. Dr. Chatter and his wife left without notice a while ago, which is why we’re short. Dr. Potter fell ill this afternoon.”

  “He has dreadful timing.”

  Dr. Steele did not see the humor.

  “You do know the highest burnout rates are among those who treat burn wounds, no pun intended.” Those frozen blue eyes constantly assessed.

  “Especially when it’s children, I know.” Glory smiled. “Suffering is difficult to watch, but it’s rewarding to see them heal and regain their lives. A hug and some encouraging words go a long way.”

  “We try for a little more than that at Agapé.” His mouth evidenced disapproval. “It’s best if you don’t allow yourself to get too close to any of the children, Dr. Cranbrook. Most of them are here for a short period of time. Personal attachment only makes the job more difficult.”

  Glory pressed her lips together. She was a doctor, she knew all about maintaining a professional distance with patients. Dr. Steele made it sound as if she’d fawn over them like some love-starved trainee. Still, he’d had two doctors walk out on him. Maybe he thought the warning was necessary.

  “Thank you for the advice,” was the best she could manage.

  She wanted to ask why the new patients weren’t suited to his grafting procedure but there wasn’t time as he moved back to the main area, showed her the operating rooms and the treatment areas complete with space-age equipment.

  “We have two physiotherapists who come from Honolulu each day. That about sums it up.” He sighed. “Your quarters are across the compound. The driver will take your luggage over. Shall I show you where you’ll stay?”

  Dr. Steele didn’t wait for her agreement but told the nurse where he was going then held open the door for Glory to pass through.

  “It’s not necessary for you to do this. But thank you.” She paused outside, let the warmth enfold her. “This is such a beautiful place. I’m sure the children must enjoy it.”

  “Hmm.” His tone didn’t welcome further comments.

  Glory walked beside him for a few minutes then tried again. “I love the water. Is it safe to swim in the sea here?”

  “Quite safe. The cove is protected, meaning the surf won’t overwhelm you. The beach and the sea are mostly private, though, of course, we can’t forbid anyone to use them.”

  “You can’t?” Intrigued at the loosening of his rigid control, Glory snuck a sideways glance. He was handsome—when he forgot to frown.

  “It’s an island law one of the Hawaiian kings made years ago and the government upholds it still. No one can own the beach in Hawaii. It is free to anyone who wishes to use it.”

  The doctor stopped beside a small bungalow.

  “This is yours.” He led her inside, pointed out a tiny kitchen, bath and bedroom and a glorious garden outside the back door.

  “It’s lovely. Thank you.”

  “Mahalo. You are safe here. Agapé’s compound is surrounded by a fence and a guard is always on duty—a security measure.” He demonstrated how to use the intercom system beside the phone.

  “Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time.”

  Dr. Steele stood under the light of the entry, his blue eyes mixing with hints of silver-gray as they analyzed her.

  “You’re tired. It’s a long flight and the change in climate can take adjustment. Rest tonight. Tomorrow will be soon enough for you to learn the rules of the mission and see to the children’s needs. There are a couple of cases I’d like to discuss once you’re ready.”

  “Of course.” She inhaled, then pressed on. “I—that is, I was wondering…”

  “Yes?” He’d taken a step forward as if he could hardly wait to get away. But he paused courteously, though his face bore an impatient scowl.

  “The grafting procedure—I was wondering if you’d be doing it tomorrow.”

  “No.”

  The terse response surprised Glory into silence.

  He stepped outside, then suddenly stopped and turned back.

  “Is there anything else you need, Dr. Cranbrook?” he asked as if he’d been suddenly reminded of his manners. It was painfully obvious he wanted to be gone.

  “No, thank you. Good night, Dr. Steele.”

  “Good evening, Dr. Cranbrook.”

  Glory detested the stiff, supercilious response surgeons often demonstrated to those they considered lesser mortals, but given Dr. Steele’s reputation she supposed he had a right to be conceited.

  When he disappeared from sight, Glory stepped back inside her cottage, closed the door and twirled around in the living room, soaking in the thrill of having her own place. After sharing quarters with others for so many years to save money, privacy was something she’d come to crave.

  A wave of travel-tiredness swamped her, but GloryAnn ignored it. In the kitchen she found an insulated decanter and a mug on the counter. A plate with two pale golden cookies and a note sat waiting.

  Welcome to Hawaii. May God bless you as you minister to those who need you.

  With love, Sister Philomena.

  Glory poured out a steaming beverage, smiling at the fragrant aroma filling the air. Mint tea. Her favorite.

  “Thank you, Sister Philomena,” she murmured. “Whoever you are.” She bit into one of the cookies. Lemon. “How could you know what I love?”

  She carried it and the tea outside, into a garden filled with scents she’d only ever sniffed inside a florist’s. Strategically placed landscape lights lent an aura of peace and tranquillity.

  A white wicker chair with a flowered cushion waited beside a small tinkling fountain. Glory sank into it, content to review the day’s events. But her thoughts kept returning to Jared Steele, to the craggy harshness of his face as he directed care for the two small boys.

  The snap in his response when she’d asked about the grafting troubled her. There was something he hadn’t said, something that made her wonder why the other doctors had quit.

  But more than that, she wondered why such sadness filled Dr. Steele’s eyes.

  Glory sipped her tea, peered up at the stars.

  Why did You send me here, Lord? she prayed silently. It’s obvious he’s got anger issues. He doesn’t want to talk about his grafting procedure, but I thought that’s why You wanted me to come. So what’s Your purpose for me?

  She received no response in the still silence of her heart. But that didn’t stop her from pondering why God had led her so far from home, away from her long-held goal to fulfill the deathbed promise she’d made to her mother.

  God knew how much she wanted to honor both her parents by returning to the Arctic and caring for the Inuit they loved.

  I will go back, Mom, just as soon as I can. I promise you.

  Glory had explained her delay to the elders in the village of Tiska. Everyone said they understood. They’d wished her good luck and offered a traditional Inuit blessing.

  Now, as the night breeze toyed with her hair, a yearning filled GloryAnn’s heart. Leilani seemed nice enough, but Jared Steele was cool and prickly and above all, dictatorial.

  It struck her then just how far she’d traveled from everything that was familiar.

  Despite the fragrance, the warmth, the soothing lull of the ocean tides, she longed to be back at home
soon where ice and snow swathed the land in a thick pure blanket of peace. She ached to hear the howl of sled dogs fall silent and be replaced by the whistle of the Arctic wind as it seeped through the cracks of the house, soothing her to sleep. She yearned to wake to the wide generous smiles of her people, let them fill the empty aching spot in her heart.

  She’d been gone too long.

  Only six months, okay, Lord? And then I have to go back.

  Even Dr. Jared Steele, with his peremptory orders, couldn’t sway her from that goal.

  Chapter Two

  Jared glanced up from his desk through his open window to watch Dr. Cranbrook walk toward the mission.

  She occasionally paused, once to pick a small daisy that had pushed its way through the rocky soil, again to smile at a Java sparrow pecking the hardened ground. Then she studied the Kuhio vine Diana had insisted on planting on their anniversary, the first year they’d come here.

  He shoved the memory away, mouth tightening as Dr. Cranbrook lifted her face into the wind, allowing her long golden-brown hair to stream behind her. No doubt she, like most tourists, thought this was paradise.

  He knew better.

  Jared had been so impressed by GloryAnn Cranbrook’s competence yesterday he’d failed to notice how frail she was. In the blazing sunlight she now emerged pinched and pale, the big green eyes too large for her oval face, jutting cheekbones too pronounced. Would she be up to Agapé’s demands?

  Then he recalled her composure last night when he’d warned her not to get too close to the patients. Dr. Cranbrook hadn’t liked his warning, but she had managed to suppress any retort. She might look frail, but he had a hunch she could take whatever was dished out. Good. She might stay a little longer.

  She stood statue still, staring out over the water.

  GloryAnn—an unusual name but it suited her. Captivated by her look of perfect peace, Jared realized he hadn’t felt that way himself for a long time—three years, in fact.

  “Hang on to it as long as you can,” he wanted to tell her. “What you’ll see here will steal your peace away and you’ll never feel it again.”

  But he could hardly say that to Elizabeth’s newest protégée. So Jared gathered up his files and waited at the main desk for Dr. Cranbrook to push through the doors.

  “Good morning, Dr. Steele. Isn’t it a lovely day?” She glanced at the folders in his arms. “Do you prefer to do rounds first?”

  “Yes.” The building seemed strangely brighter. Jared walked beside her down the corridor, told himself to concentrate on business.

  GloryAnn listened as he described each case, glanced at the file for the child’s name then struck up some silly conversation with them. It irritated him that she spent so much time talking nonsense when there was so much to be done. The sheath of amber hair falling over one shoulder bugged him. So did the way she met each patient’s stare with that reassuring smile.

  Finally they arrived at the patient she’d treated last night. She smiled at the boy, held his hand as Jared examined him.

  “He’s going to need these burns peeled soon.” A giggle from behind him drew Jared’s attention to the laughing child. He half turned, caught a glimpse of GloryAnn making funny faces. “Dr. Cranbrook?”

  “I heard you.” She straightened.

  “May I ask what you were doing?”

  “Taking his mind off what you were doing.” She pulled a small plastic disk from her pocket, showed the boy how to move it so the steel ball inside would follow the path. “You try it, Tony,” she encouraged.

  Tony did and giggled at his success. GloryAnn turned to Jared, lifted one eyebrow and inquired, “Shall we see Joseph?”

  “If you’ve finished playing.”

  “For now.” She said, tongue in cheek.

  Jared fought his impatience down. Her heels clicked on the marble floor. She hummed a little song about sunshine and flowers. Normally, extraneous noise irritated him, but Jared found himself relaxing as the soft melody carried down the hall.

  Joseph was in pain. Jared checked him over quickly before increasing his meds. GloryAnn’s attention focused on the boy.

  “Do you have anything he could listen to?” Her hand grasped the small fingers and cradled them when he moaned.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “A radio? A CD player, perhaps? Something to take his mind off his pain when his family isn’t here with him?” She paid him little heed, her focus on the boy. “He’s going to have to lie still for quite a while. We could make that easier if we gave him something else to think about.”

  “Such as?”

  “Is there someone who could read to him in his language?”

  “Dr. Cranbrook, we don’t have the staff or the time to entertain—” He stopped midsentence, a rap on the glass window interrupting him. His mother-in-law stood outside, beckoning.

  “Not again.” She’d already called him twice this morning.

  “Dr. Steele?” GloryAnn glanced from him to the woman.

  “I’ll be a moment. Excuse me.” Jared strode to the door, stepped into the hall so Dr. Cranbrook wouldn’t overhear.

  “Aloha, Jared, ku’u lei.” My child.

  At least Kahlia had remembered his request not to enter the room without gowning up. She grasped his shoulders, enveloped him in a hearty hug, something he’d never grown used to from Diana’s big Hawaiian family.

  “You don’t return my calls. How are you?”

  “I’m fine. Busy,” he added, hoping she got the message.

  “You’re always busy. Too busy for family.” She shook her gray head. “Pono and I are holding a birthday party for Grandma tomorrow evening. You will be there?”

  There was no point in arguing with Kahlia, she would only keep nagging him. Diana and Nicholas had been her whole life. She and Pono had doted on their daughter and lavished affection on their tiny grandson. Jared couldn’t blame her for needing someone to fill the gap in her heart. He just wished she’d chosen someone else so he didn’t have to keep struggling through the reminders of what they’d all lost.

  “Grandma’s birthday, Jared?” she prodded.

  “I’ll try.”

  “Who’s that?” Kahlia inclined her head toward the woman now bent over the bed playing some kind of finger game that coaxed a smile from Joseph’s parched lips.

  “Our new doctor. GloryAnn Cranbrook. She arrived yesterday.”

  “Lovely. Will you bring her along?”

  “I don’t think so, Kahlia. She has work to do.” Jared took another tack. “Or she could go in my place.”

  Kahlia’s dark eyes scolded. “Always you try to avoid us. We are your family, Jared. We are here for you.”

  I lost my family.

  He clamped his teeth together to stifle the words. Kahlia had mourned enough. They all had. Sooner or later she would accept that he had to get on with his life. Away from here.

  “Excuse me, I’ve been paged.” GloryAnn eased past, strode down the hall, hair flying behind her like a silken kite.

  “She looks so young, a mere child.”

  “She’s extremely well qualified.” Jared barely recalled the list of credentials he’d scanned earlier. “Elizabeth Wisdom sent her to fill in for six months.”

  “Elizabeth is a good friend to Agapé. Where does this woman go after six months?”

  “I have no idea.” Jared suddenly realized he knew little about his new coworker. Thankfully he was paged next. “Excuse me, Kahlia. I’ve got to go. Leave me a note about the party. I’ll come if I can.”

  “But I wanted to—oh, never mind.”

  Ashamed of his rudeness, Jared bent and brushed her cheek with his lips. “Bye.”

  By the time he’d dealt with their newest patient and completed two debrading procedures, Jared was more than ready for lunch. He picked up a tray from the cafeteria and moved outside, drawing in deep cleansing breaths and exhaling fully to purify his lungs.

  GloryAnn sat on one end of the patio, watch
ing sailboats cruise past their tiny cove. He could hardly ignore her, though at the moment Jared craved nothing more than silence, respite from the weeping children he’d had to hurt to help.

  “May I join you?”

  “Certainly.” She blinked as if awakening from a dream, her smile inviting. “I’m enjoying this weather.”

  “You’ll want to watch your skin. Even though it seems temperate, the sun is strong. A tropical burn is painful, Dr. Cranbrook.”

  Clearly irritated, she set down her bottle of juice hard enough that a few droplets decorated her fingers. “Why do you always talk to me like that, Dr. Steele?”

  “Like what?” Unused to being challenged, Jared froze, his sandwich halfway to his mouth.

  “Like I’m a silly child who can’t look after herself, let alone anyone else. ‘Don’t get too close to the patients, watch the sun, don’t get the patients too excited with silly games.’ It’s insulting.”

  Though neither her voice nor her demeanor changed, anger darkened her green irises.

  “I’m sorry if I offended you. I merely wanted to point out that this climate is different than the one you’re used to. Sunburn is unpleasant and can be dangerous.”

  “And you think I don’t know that?” GloryAnn put the lid back on her bottle and tightened it so much her fingertips turned white. “I put on sunscreen this morning, SPF 70, and I’ve been out here—” she checked her watch “—ten minutes. Hardly long enough, don’t you agree?”

  Jared decided it was better not to answer, so he concentrated on chewing the roast beef he’d selected.

  “I assure you I am qualified to be here, Dr. Steele. If you feel that isn’t so, or if you would prefer someone else, I suggest you contact Elizabeth Wisdom, because until I hear otherwise I intend to do the job she sent me to do, and I’ll keep doing it for the next six months.”

  She stabbed a piece of lettuce so hard it tore apart.

  “Now, since you’re here, I’d like to ask you some questions about your procedures this morning.”

  A new respect filled him. “Fire away.”

  “I know you like to remove the burned tissue as quickly as possible because that’s where infection likes to grow.”