Six-Week Marriage Miracle

by Jessica Matthews

  “Or…” he cast a meaningful glance at her for interrupting “…we stay until Miguel returns, which could be a week or more. And that will affect our other commitments.” He turned to Sheldon. “The clinic in Tennessee comes to mind.”

  “Don’t forget the trip to Alaska,” Sheldon reminded him.

  Sensing Leah was about to explode with frustration, he glanced at Ben. “Your anniversary is a few days away, if I remember correctly.”

  Ben cleared his throat and looked apologetic. “Yeah. My wife planned a big party. It’s our tenth, and I promised I’d be there,” he said to Leah as she was the only one who hadn’t heard.

  Gabe glanced at Sheldon. “How are the supplies holding out?”

  “We’ve used about two-thirds of what we brought,” Sheldon admitted. “Under normal conditions for a community this size, what’s left should last a while. But…” he shrugged “…these aren’t normal conditions. Everything depends on how near we are to the end of this outbreak.”

  “What’s your opinion, Ben?” Gabe asked. “Are we on the downhill slope?”

  “You’ve seen as many if not more patients than I have,” the other physician replied. “If I had to guess, from the number and severity of the cases who’ve landed in the clinic, I’d say we’re still in the thick of things.”

  Gabe agreed, although he’d hoped Ben might have drawn a different conclusion. “Then we have a third option.”

  “Which is?” Leah asked.

  “I’ll stay behind while the rest of you head back as originally planned. Sheldon, you handle the business end of sending down another shipment. Corey can help.”

  Sheldon nodded. “I’ll get back as soon as I can.” He grinned. “If not before.”

  “I’m staying, too,” Leah declared, her chin rising defiantly. “I may not be a physician, but I can help.”

  She’d be a welcome addition, but he wasn’t worried about her ability to hold their pace. He had three objections to her remaining behind, and they were all under the age of six. “Yes, but—”

  “If you’re not going home, neither am I.”

  Knowing she wouldn’t appreciate an argument in front of everyone, he simply shot her his best we’ll-talk-about-it-later look. To her credit, she didn’t say a word, but her eyes promised a heated discussion.

  He turned to his team. “Then it’s settled. You two will fly back in the morning. Sheldon, you’ll return as soon as you can arrange for another supply shipment.”

  “Piece of cake,” Sheldon boasted.

  “In that case,” Ben said, “I’ll take tonight’s shift. This may be the only night you’ll get any sleep.”

  It probably would be. After Ben climbed aboard their plane, Gabe would be on duty twenty-four seven.

  “Okay, but call if you get more than you can handle.”

  Throughout the rest of their conversation, Leah didn’t say a word, which didn’t bode well. Still, Gabe hoped their moonlight walk through the garden would help as it could easily be the only private time he’d enjoy with her until they flew back to the U.S.

  As soon as he’d finished hammering out last-minute details with Sheldon, he grabbed Leah’s arm and led her out of the clinic. Darkness had fallen and the usual nighttime noises surrounded them as he walked beside her to the orphanage.

  She held herself stiffly under the guiding hand he’d placed at the small of her back.

  “Nice evening, isn’t it?” he asked, making conversation to soften her irritation. “Hmm.”

  He glanced at the building looming ahead, noticing the bank of windows in the orphanage’s dormitory wing was dark. “Looks like the kids are all in bed.”

  “I’d say so.”

  She’d said a complete sentence; he was making progress.

  “The garden’s around the back,” he said. “Watch your step. The ground is uneven.” He took her hand before he led her down a small footpath and held back shrubs and branches for her to pass by unscathed. Finally, they arrived in a clearing that boasted a stone bench and a multitude of flowers. The colors were muted in the moonlight, but the white blooms seemed to glow as if nature had saved their beauty for midnight lovers. Their fragrance filled the air with a heady, sensual perfume.

  “Oh, Gabe,” she breathed as she turned a complete circle. “This is beautiful.”

  Relieved at how their surroundings had broken through her reserve, Gabe smiled. “Not as beautiful as the woman standing here.”

  She met his gaze. “Do you really think so?”

  “I know so.” He traced a line from her temple down to her jaw.

  “Then why…?” She bit her lip in indecision. “Why don’t you want me to stay here with you?”

  The hurt in her voice was as painful to hear as it obviously was for her to say. “I want you to stay,” he confessed, “because I like having you here. It simply isn’t in your best interests.”

  “Don’t yo-yo on me, Gabe,” she warned. “Why isn’t it in my best interests? After all the fuss you made to get me here, now you insist I go? And without you?” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

  “You’re growing too attached to Carlotta’s grandchildren and you’ve only been around them for a couple of days. How hard will it be on you to leave after another week?”

  “Yes, I’m fond of them. They’re sweet kids.” She spoke as if she weighed each word beforehand. “You’re trying to protect me again but it isn’t necessary. When we finally go home, I’ll handle it.”

  “Are you sure?” Perhaps it was his job to be supportive instead of doubtful, but he wanted Leah to know exactly what she would face. “Leaving these kids won’t be like leaving your nieces and nephews. Chances are you’ll never see these youngsters again.”

  She nodded slowly, as if she’d already realized it. “They’ll go with their uncle and that will be that.”

  Gabe didn’t see any point in mentioning that no one had been able to locate Carlotta’s son. Why give Leah something else to worry about, especially if knowing they had a family member who’d step in was a comfort to her?

  She squared her shoulders. “Regardless, you need me and I’m not leaving until I absolutely have to.”

  “Leah…” he warned.

  “Please, Gabe? Let me help you, and let me enjoy the extra time with them.”

  He hated to hear her beg, even though he knew she was only going to put herself through more anguish.

  “Yes,” she added as if she’d read his thoughts, “I’ll probably get teary-eyed and cry most of the way home, but I’m preparing myself for that. I’ll be okay. Truly.”

  Her assurances were convincing, but he knew the separation, when it came, would be far more difficult than she imagined. And yet, if she understood and accepted the risks, what could he do?

  “If you’re certain…” He was repeating himself again.

  “I am.”

  He hesitated, still unsettled by her choice. “You know I can just toss you on that plane,” he mentioned offhandedly. “As the team’s leader, I’m responsible for everyone’s safety and well-being, including their emotional health.”

  “You are,” she admitted, “but this is my decision, Gabe. I want to stay.” Her grin widened. “And if you make me leave at first light, I’ll return when Sheldon does.”

  He chuckled as he hugged her tight. “This is against my better judgment, but okay. You can stay.”

  “Gee, thanks for permission.”

  He grinned at her wry tone then he added a teasing note to his own to hide his own trepidation. “Are those the only reasons why you don’t want to leave—because of the kids and the patients?” He held his breath, hoping to hear she’d had a change of heart about their divorce.

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she said airily. “It could be because you’re starting to grow on me, too, but I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

  “And when do you think you might know?” he returned.

  “Maybe tomorrow. Maybe next week. Maybe—”


  “Right now?” He bent down to brush his lips against hers, but his light kiss soon turned heated. Perhaps it was due to the moonlight or the heady fragrance in the air. Perhaps it was because he was glad Leah wasn’t leaving or that this could be their last uninterrupted night for the foreseeable future. Perhaps it was simply because Leah was the one woman who could make his blood sing, but, whatever the reason, he wanted more and he sensed she might feel the same.

  “Yes,” she breathed. “Maybe now…”

  He hauled her against him, eager to take what she was offering and relieved that the moment he’d been waiting for was finally upon him.

  “Dr. Gabriel! Dr. Gabriel?”

  Leah broke off their kiss. “You’re being paged.”

  Gabe grimaced. “So I hear.”

  “Maybe it’s something minor.”

  The hopeful note in her voice and the way she’d responded in his arms made him believe that she might be coming round. That she just might have started to look forward instead of backward. That she either had or was on the brink of wanting her future to include him. Those notions were enough for him to accept this most inopportune interruption with grace, even though he really wanted to grumble and complain.

  “Are you willing to wager on that?” he asked.

  She grinned. “No, but it’s a nice thought.”

  A teenage boy burst into the clearing. “Dr. Gabriel. Dr. Ben says to come.”

  “Sorry to cancel on you,” he told her. “Duty calls.”

  “I understand. I’m a doctor’s wife, remember?”

  Leah stretched on the too-thin mattress, noticing Gabe’s side was still empty. She’d waited for him to return to their room, but had given up and gone to bed two hours ago. Now her watch dial showed it was nearly midnight and the sheets were cold, which meant the emergency requiring his attention was serious.

  She curled around her pillow, feeling like a contented cat as she reflected on their evening. It had felt good to work with Gabe on a professional basis, with none of their old baggage between them. Seeing him in action was a vivid reminder of why she’d fallen in love with him ten years ago. His concern and tireless interest in the people he’d come to serve were glowing testimonies to his character. He was a man who’d move mountains if he could for the people he cared about.

  He’d told her that he’d pressed for the adoption for her, but she’d never quite believed that, until now. After seeing him in action—seeing how quickly he responded to whatever need he found—she finally believed his motives. And, for the first time, she began to wonder if she might be wrong about other things. Maybe they wouldn’t be better off being apart…

  Although the joy on Gabe’s face as he played with Carlotta’s grandchildren lay heavily on her chest. Could she open herself up to the possible heartbreak if she agreed to reopen their adoption case file? And were they strong enough as a couple to weather another rejection? Was Gabe that sure that they would be okay so long as they were together? Was she?

  These questions went unanswered as their bedroom door swung open and the light from the hallway spilled inside.

  “You’re awake,” Gabe said.

  “Barely.” She stifled a yawn. “What’s going on?”

  He tugged on the blanket. “I need a scrub nurse and you’re it.”

  “A scrub nurse? I haven’t been in the operating room since I was in training.”

  “Which still makes you more qualified than the other nurses.” He tossed a pair of jeans and a shirt at her. “Come on, sleepyhead.”

  Leah rolled out of bed and stepped into her jeans. “What sort of surgery?”

  “Appendectomy.”

  “Someone we know?”

  “No. Five-year-old boy with excruciating belly pain. His symptoms began two days ago and gradually got worse. I’ve monitored him for the last few hours because his symptoms weren’t classic for appendicitis, but his temp has spiked. I don’t want to wait.”

  “Do you think the appendix ruptured?”

  “Let’s hope not. Here are your shoes.”

  She slipped on the loafers then followed him through the silent building as she finger-combed her hair. “Are they equipped to handle surgeries at the clinic?”

  “Not really, but we’ll make do. I’ve operated under worse conditions.”

  “What about instruments?” Her stomach flopped like a landed fish. “Don’t tell me you’re going to cut on someone with only a pocket knife and a sewing kit in hand.”

  “I won’t. Luckily, I don’t leave home without my own basic tools of the trade,” he said with a grin. “I’ve learned that I never know when they’ll come in handy. One of the nurses is sterilizing them now.”

  What a relief! “How’s Mrs. Ortiz doing?”

  “Not well,” he said grimly. “In fact, Ben and Sheldon would have flown her to Mexico City an hour ago, but I need Ben to handle anesthesia. In any case, they’re leaving just as soon as I’m finished.”

  “The baby?” she asked.

  “The midwife thinks the baby’s showing a few signs of distress. The obstetrician Ben called said Mrs. Ortiz needs a C-section to relieve the pressure on her diaphragm, but I’m hesitant to do it because we can’t take care of a preemie. The sooner we can get her to a place equipped for her problems, the better.”

  Fortunately, the night-shift clinic nurse had followed Gabe’s instructions to the letter. His instruments were sterile and the patient was ready. Leah scrubbed beside Gabe, intent on his last-minute instructions and refresher course. Finally, between the drugs Gabe carried as part of his emergency surgical kit and what they found locked in Hector’s cabinet, they were ready and their patient was unconscious.

  “If we were at home, we could do this laparoscopically,” he said offhandedly. “We have to do this the old-fashioned way.”

  “He won’t care,” Leah advised. “Now he’ll have a scar to brag about.”

  Gabe’s gaze met Leah’s. Although she knew he couldn’t see it through the mask, she offered a tremulous smile and hoped she wouldn’t make a mistake because of her inexperience. As if he’d read her mind, he said, “Take a deep breath. You’ll do fine.” His eyes twinkled. “I won’t be grading you, either.”

  She chuckled. “Thanks.”

  “Okay, then.” He flexed his shoulders then held out his hand. “Scalpel.”

  As soon as she slapped the requested instrument into his hand, she was amazed at how quickly she fell into a rhythm. It was mainly due to Gabe, she had no doubt. His skill was obvious as he cut through skin and tissue until, finally, the offending appendix was revealed.

  It was swollen and red and ready to burst.

  “Looks like we got here in the nick of time,” Gabe said as he clamped, snipped, then eventually sutured. “How’s he doing, Ben?”

  “Great,” Ben said from his place near the patient’s head as he monitored vital signs. “Just the way I like surgery—in, out and no problems.”

  “You can say that again.”

  After closing his incision and bandaging the site, Gabe pronounced his work done and stripped off his gloves. Looking tired, but pleased, he said, “Let’s settle him in his cot, then we’ll load Mrs. Ortiz in David’s truck. Are you guys ready to go?”

  “Corey’s at the plane, doing his pre-flight checks,” Ben answered. “Sheldon’s waiting outside to help us with our patient. Then it’s wheels up.”

  Leah shouldn’t have been amazed at their efficiency, but she was. If she didn’t know better, she’d think Gabe’s team had drilled on this exact scenario until they’d choreographed every step. This was Sheldon’s first time in the field and Ben’s third, but their united purpose, coupled with Gabe’s experience, had pulled them into a well-functioning team.

  This was what Gabe had wanted to achieve with this trip—to extrapolate the unity created by this unlikely group of individuals into their marriage—to basically give their relationship a sense of purpose.

  Having a family had been part o
f that purpose and when that had failed, it had seemed pointless to continue the marriage. And yet before Andrew had even become a glimmer in his father’s eye, her wish had been simple—to love Gabe and share their lives together. Had that most fundamental purpose changed?

  It hadn’t, she decided. She still loved him and wanted her life intertwined with his.

  Blurting out her revelation was tempting, but it would have to wait. Not only did they have a patient to oversee, but after everything they’d gone through, they both needed to mark the occasion in a special way.

  The trip to the airstrip proceeded at a tortoise’s pace in deference to Mrs. Ortiz’s condition, but eventually everyone and everything had been loaded. The sun was dawning as the plane took off.

  Leah watched the aircraft disappear into the cloudless sky. “Strangely enough, I feel like we’ve been deserted.”

  Gabe flung an arm around her shoulders. “It does, but at least we have each other.” He kissed her forehead. “So, my dear, shall we see if there’s any breakfast left?”

  Before she could answer, a boy about twelve years old burst into the clearing. “Dr. Gabriel,” he called out, panting.

  Leah paused, watching Gabe as he listened to the boy’s rapid-fire Spanish. She caught a few words, orphanage and hospital, and guessed at the rest. Finally, he faced her and motioned to the truck. “The sun is barely up and we’re already in high demand.”

  “I gathered as much.”

  “You’re needed at the orphanage and Hector insists on seeing patients even though he can barely stand. I think breakfast is on hold.”

  “I’m going to predict we’ll be busy today.”

  “So busy you may wish you’d left with the others,” he said darkly.

  Leah gazed at her husband’s face, noticing the distinct shadow of whiskers on his jaw. They would be pushed to their limits, especially Gabe, but she would be there to watch over him and ease his burden as much as possible.

  “Not a chance,” she said. “I’m exactly where I belong. With you.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  WHEN Leah arrived at the orphanage a short time later, she discovered five more children were symptomatic, bringing her total of sick children to seven. After tending each one personally, it was nearly lunchtime. Anna grabbed her hand and led her to their table, so in between wolfing down her own meal she helped feed the crowd of little people by encouraging them to eat, filling cups, and wiping up the inevitable spills.