Gladioli in August by Clare Revell Page A

anything for do that? Was Kyle right about opening herself to love? Was what she felt for Micah love?
    “Danny, can I have a word? In your office?” he asked.
    Danny nodded. “Sure.”
    Micah turned Jael to face him and took both her hands in his. “You’re the bigger person here, honey. What does the Bible say you should do?”
    She sucked in a deep breath. “Turn the other cheek, heap burning coals on his head…” She paused. “Go assist him like Danny wants.”
    He kissed her gently. “Yes. Just keep front and center the thought that you’re doing the right thing and annoying him at the same time.”
    She giggled slightly.
    “Now go. I’ll see you afterwards. I still owe you that coffee we never had after dinner last night.”
    “You’re on.” She headed down the hallway to the small OR.
    “What are you doing here?” Kevin demanded as she entered the room. He struck an imposing figure in his blue scrubs, hat and mask.
    “Assisting you. Danny’s orders.”
    “I don’t want some Red Cross—”
    “Actually,” Jael said, pulling scrubs from the shelf. “I’m a highly experienced theatre and ITU nurse, but if you don’t want me to help, I’ll just stand here and watch you struggle alone. I’m here and I’ll stay here because Danny told me to help you.” She ducked into a corner, pulled the privacy curtain, and removed her shirt before quickly changing into a scrub shirt.
    “Fine. Prep her for me while I finish scrubbing.”
    Jael pulled a face at the wall, sliding on the scrub trousers. “Yes, doctor.” She prayed for the patience she’d need as she washed her hands.
    She had to admit, Kevin was a good surgeon. But there was something about him, and she didn’t just mean his attitude. Jael shook her head and brought herself up short. Just because she didn’t instantly like the bloke didn’t give her the right to think bad of him. All she had to do was work with him. She’d just pray for patience to do that.
    Surgery finished, she stood at the sinks and washed her hands. Kevin entered the room and walked over to stand next to her. Her heart sank.
    He smirked at her. “Not bad.”
    As Jael turned off the tap and reached for the paper towels, his hand covered hers. She jerked away as if burned.
    He turned her around, his eyes boring into hers. “I apologize if you felt I was rude earlier. I hate these six-month assignments. I was just getting used to the last nurse. But I can already tell you’re going to be more of a help than she was, especially in theatre. I think we could work well together…especially if we get to know each other a little better.” His fingers moved against her arms, his meaning obvious.
    “I don’t think so.” She tried to pull away but his grip was too strong.
    ****
    Micah flew over the volcano, trying to ignore the scientific chatter going on over the radio as Zeek Delgado conferred with someone on the other end about the readings he was getting.
    “Well?” he asked.
    “Carbon dioxide is up, the earthquakes are starting to swarm, and the pH readings in the water are dropping. That means the acidity is high enough to start killing the fish and other wildlife. Trees are also starting to die. I assume you noticed that if nothing else.”
    “We kinda noticed the earthquakes as well,” Micah said. “But are they the kind we need to worry about?” He grinned at Zeek’s quizzical look. “Hey I’ve seen enough disaster movies to know that only harmonic tremors are the ones that precede a volcanic eruption.”
    “Not yet, but we’re keeping a close eye. I’m done here.”
    Micah nodded and banked away from the volcano back towards the base. The unsettled feeling he’d had ever since he left was growing in intensity. Something was wrong. He keyed the mic. “Achor base, this is Micah.”
    “Hey, are you on your way back?” Danny’s voice was tight.
    “Yeah, what’s up?”
    “Just report to my office as soon as you get here. We got a