Healing Tides by Lois Richer

this up. I couldn’t bear to see his scorn.”
    After a quick tidy, she completed her rounds while questions ballooned.
    Why had God brought her to Hawaii? And how was she supposed to help a man who refused to accept her help?

     
    It was after eight the next morning before Glory left Agapé. Three flights during the night meant everyone was called back.
    Instantly revived by the fresh air and the chirping birds, she stretched her legs in long strides toward home. Halfway there she paused, changed direction.
    Today she intended to meet Sister Philomena.
    As she approached a cottage that matched her own, Glory spotted a tiny figure clad in a flowered housedress bending over huge maroon hibiscus flowers.
    “I’m fairly certain you’re not supposed to be gardening.” Glory smiled at the diminutive woman who faced her. “Last report, you were tucked up in bed.”
    “Don’t believe everything you hear.” The old lady’s paper-white skin wrinkled in laughter lines.
    “I’m GloryAnn Cranbrook, Sister Phil.”
    “My dear, it’s lovely to meet you at last. Will you share a pot of tea with me in the garden? That way, when Jared checks, he won’t see I disobeyed his orders.”
    Glory couldn’t help smiling. She’d expected someone reticent and retiring, but this peppy woman with the snowy braids coiled round her head didn’t fit the picture.
    “Please sit, have some fruit. Since I’ve been ill, people have been flooding this place with fruit. I’ve sent enough over to Agapé to lower their produce bill for a month.” Sister pointed to a plate of freshly trimmed pineapple spears. “Help yourself.”
    “Thank you. I’m still new enough on the island that this is like candy to me.” Glory bit into the yellow sweetness. “We never had pineapple so sweet at home.”
    “Yes, I’ve heard you’re from the Arctic. Tell me what it’s like.”
    Glory heard herself go on and on. “Sorry. Guess I’m homesick.”
    “I understand.” Sister Philomena stared out the big picture window toward the rippling sea. “I miss the change in seasons, but I can’t imagine months of darkness.”
    “Have you been here a long time?”
    They chatted until Glory noticed the older woman seemed to droop.
    “I’d better get home.” She quickly rinsed off the dishes, set them to dry. “Thank you for breakfast.”
    “You must stop in often, Glory. You are part of our family now.” Sister’s dark eyes twinkled. “Besides, I want regular reports on the children. Especially a little boy named Bennie.”
    “Did Jared tell you about him?” He hadn’t seemed that interested in her favorite patient.
    “Not Jared. Kahlia.” Sister made a face. “Jared tells me all kinds of medical things, none of which helps me understand if I need to pray more for a child or move on. Jared’s such a—doctor!”
    Glory chuckled.
    “Well, so am I, but I promise I’ll try to keep you informed.” She let herself gush about Bennie, thrilled that someone seemed to think he was as fantastic as she did. Finally she asked the one thing that bothered her most. “Sister Philomena, do you mind having people stay with you, other than Jared, I mean? I know you were expecting him last night, but when he couldn’t come, Leilani suggested Kahlia. Was that a problem?”
    “Of course not. I love visitors and Kahlia is one of the best. She’s just bursting with life, makes you feel better just to be around her. Rather like you, my dear. Besides, she’s lonely. If I can help cure that, I’m delighted.”
    “Oh, good. I intend to come again, too, if you don’t mind.”
    “I insist. But I mustn’t be your primary concern. God has sent you here for a purpose, Glory. To fulfill it is your duty.”
    “Even if I’m not sure exactly what this purpose is? I mean, I thought I knew, but then Bennie came and Dr. Steele won’t—” She didn’t want to speak badly about Jared, so she stopped.
    “Uncertainty is when we need His direction most, don’t you