Gladioli in August by Clare Revell

plane came into land and it was all she could do not to run out to greet him. Part of her longed to be in his arms, to have him kiss her again the way he had after the earthquake. But the other part of her—her common sense and sense of duty—prevailed. Perhaps he’d come and find her instead.
    She headed back into the clinic and sighed. She’d been gone two minutes and the number of injured had quadrupled in that time. Just as well she hadn’t gone to find Micah. She grabbed the clipboard to call the next patient in.
    Approaching footsteps from behind made her turn. An older man—mid-forties, middle age spread, and a touch of grey around his temples—stood there. His clothes were creased and his shirt stained with who-knew-what. He stuck his hand out. “I’m Dr. Melchester. And you are?”
    “Jael Stevens. I’m the—”
    “Temporary Red Cross nurse. Yes, I’ve heard your praises sung endlessly by everyone I’ve spoken to. But I’d rather have one of the full-time staff hand over the current medical situation, if it’s all the same to you.”
    Jael shivered as his hand lingered a little too long, and his intense, dark gaze seemed to bore deep into her. She pulled off her apron. “Fine. The patients on the left have been seen. Those on the right are still waiting. If you decide you do need me, I’ll be in the medical records room.”
    She walked down to the records room, which doubled as her office, closed the door, and groaned in frustration.
    Micah stuck his head through the open window. “You met Kevin, then.”
    “Did I ever,” Jael huffed.
    “What did he do?”
    “Nothing that would be bad if I hadn’t been working for twenty hours straight. Normally I’d love a break, but he’s just waltzed in and ordered me out because I’m not a full-time member of staff.” She studied his oil-stained hands and the filthy rag he clutched. “Have you got a problem with the plane?”
    Micah rubbed a hand over his face, leaving a smear of oil across his brow. “Yeah—hit a pothole coming in to land. It caused some damage to the landing gear, but it’s fixed now.”
    “That’s good.”
    Danny came in through the door, clipboard in hand. He stopped short and raised an eyebrow. “Jael, what are you doing in here?”
    “I’m not full time,” she explained, “and not needed per Dr. Melchester. So I’m tidying up in here.”
    “Micah, is the plane fixed?” As Micah nodded, Danny continued. “Good. In that case you can take Jael over to the Wapiti ranch. Mrs. Wapiti is sick.”
    ****
    An hour later Jael oversaw Mrs. Wapiti’s transfer to the base. Then she went to find Dr. Melchester hoping his mood had changed for the better. “I have a patient for you.” She informed as she approached the man.
    “And I’m busy. I have several patients here already.”
    “This is an emergency admission.”
    “They all are.” He turned his back to her giving an unspoken message –‘Go away.’
    She shoved her hands into her pockets. “I just flew her in.”
    “Well bully for you. Patch her up. I’m sure you can put a plaster on.”
    “Dr. Melchester, she needs—”
    “Don’t you presume to tell me how to do my job, young lady. I’ll decide what the patients need, not you.”
    “Jael, can you come here just a moment?” Danny’s loud voice echoed through the packed room. “My office. Now.”
    Jael spun around, pleading her case. “Danny, we just brought Mrs. Wapiti in. It looks like a ruptured appendix. She needs surgery and—”
    “Why didn’t you say?” Kevin demanded.
    “Why didn’t you let me say?” she shot back. She sighed as he ran past her and out of the room.
    “Go and assist.” Danny motioned.
    She shook her head. “No way.”
    “It’s not up to him.” Danny adopted a stern look and fierce tone. “I’m giving you an order, Jael. Go and assist.”
    Micah appeared at her shoulder and his light touch calmed her. How could someone she’d only just allowed herself to feel