A Healing Love. Doris English
look that she had earlier seen lighting his eyes.
For a moment the two stood staring at each other, Mark’s brown eyes immersed in her bright-blue ones. Laura stirred, uncomfortable with the raw emotion displayed in the gaze of her friend, who was usually so casual and congenial.
David spoke, breaking the spell. “He’s ready to go to the clinic now, and from my observation, not a moment too soon.”
The three doctors stood aside as two medics hoisted the stretcher and passed them on the short treacherous upward journey to the waiting helicopter.
The older doctor reached out and put an affectionate arm around his slender daughter. “You did a good job, Dr. McBride.”
She wrinkled her nose, a warm glow returning the affection in his eyes, “Thank you, Dr. McBride. Wish I could’ve done more.”
“You may well have saved his life. For sure if you hadn’t found him when you did, his chances of survival would have been slim. How does it feel saving two lives in twenty-four hours?”
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” she reminded him softly.
“That’s true, but without you there’d be no hope for this young man or Tom Crews last night.”
Laura’s eyes grew bright with unexpected tears. “That is what it’s all about, isn’t it, Dad? To save lives, to give people a chance at a better life?”
“Yes, honey. At least to me, that’s what all the work and study are about. To have you here with me, sharing my dream, fulfills my deepest hope.”
Dropping her head, she murmured, “I know, Dad. I know.”
Mark interrupted, “Okay, you two, it’s time we tried our luck at climbing that bank. Think you can make it, Laura?”
A glance at Mark assured her that the familiar, comfortable friend she knew had returned, and the uneasiness left her face. She smiled at him impudently. “What are you talking about, Dr. Harrod? I’ve been up and down that bank—I’m a pro.”
“But this time would you forgo your tumbling exercises? We really don’t have time for that!” Mark teased.
“All right, Doctor. That’s enough. I only tumbled when I came down—not going up!” She flashed a smiling response to his good natured teasing.
Mark’s easygoing personality always provided just the right amount of lighthearted repartee when she took life or herself too seriously. But she also depended on him for the strength and compassion that lay beneath his casualness. She valued his friendship as much as she did his professional skill.
Today was the first time Mark had addressed her with an endearment, but it was not the first time she had seen him, in an unguarded moment, look at her with something more than friendship in his eyes. In the past it had lasted only a moment, quickly veiled by his charming nonchalance. She had pushed it aside, not wanting to encourage or deal with it. She preferred his friendship—needed it, in fact. Theirs had been a comfortable relationship, one she wanted to remain as it was, at least for the time being.
They maneuvered up the embankment without incident, except for the resistance of Laura’s aching body. Soon they stood at the edge of the clearing, waiting for the medics to load the stretcher.
“I’ll ride Maleeka back, and you get in the copter with your dad—that is, if you won’t think I’m disparaging you because you’re a woman,” Mark teased.
Laura grimaced. “Did I really act that ugly?”
“Yeah, pretty ugly, but I’ll survive. It was momentary hysteria brought on by fatigue and exposure to the elements, not to mention the absence of one Dr. Harrod. I picked a busy time to leave, didn’t I? Did you note I said nothing or even suggested you were a hysterical woman?”
“Yes, Dr. Harrod and I wholeheartedly agree with your diagnosis, but are you sure you can handle that little mare and get back down the mountain before dark?”
“No doubt about that. David, do you think you can manage things until I can make it back to the clinic?” Mark asked half authoritatively, half teasing.
David chuckled, his eyes merry. “I don’t think we have any choice. Our cowgirl here needs some medical attention herself, and I don’t know if this aging frame is up to that wild ride down the mountain. No, I guess I’ll just have to do the best I can until you can get there.”
Both younger doctors burst into laughter. David McBride’s physical prowess at midlife was greater than men half his age. His broad shoulders rippled with muscles and his narrow hips and flat abdomen testified to the vigorous physical activity that he enjoyed every day. In fact, only the sprinkling of silver through his hair and the deepening laugh lines at the corners of his vivid blue eyes and mouth showed his years. Dr. David McBride was a handsome man, and a commanding presence both physically and emotionally. His eyes glowed with an inner strength and his carriage proclaimed him a man who knew himself and was at peace with that knowledge.
Laura had inherited her thick blond hair and deep blue eyes from her father, her fragile frame and other facial features from her mother, but her eyes glowed with her very own inner beauty that mingled with an innocent curiosity about life. The promise of strength was there and would come later when she found those answers.
Without warning, a total weariness washed over her, and, too tired to continue their bantering, she agreed, “Thank you, Mark. I’ll owe you one.”
He twisted his face in a mock, leering glare. “Never you fear, my lovely. I’ll collect.”
As soon as Laura and David were airborne, Mark started down the long trail toward the sprawling Victorian farmhouse where an anxious Jonah McBride paced up and down the old front porch.
A bright midmorning sun streamed in through the leaded-glass window as a gentle breeze wafted through the open casement, stirring the lace curtains. From outside, the soft whinny of horses and the metallic clang of feeding buckets told Laura that she had overslept.
Bolting upright in bed, she gave one short yelp as pain coursed through her head in throbbing crescendos. She raised her small scratched hands and pressed her temples. The room receded in darkness for a moment, then slowly refocused.
One foot slid from beneath the satin coverlet and testily reached for the floor. Now her muscles joined her aching head in a painful refrain. She managed to sit up and bring the other foot to rest on the floor, then paused to let the recurring darkness subside once more.
After arising stiffly, she shuffled to the window, a grimace of pain contorting her features. Standing beside the window, she let the refreshing breeze bathe her face and waited for the pain to diminish. It finally eased.
Outside, Jonah stood, one leg propped up on the split-rail fence, rubbing Maleeka’s head and gazing out toward the mountain partially covered by a morning mist. She knew he was reliving yesterday and the terror he’d felt before he saw her safe and sound again. He had been waiting at the hospital when the medivac copter had returned.
She smiled. What a blessing to have a grandfather to love. In fact, what a fortunate woman she was to have a family like hers. Why would she ever want to leave this place? And yet, would she?
She limped toward the bathroom, eager to sink her sore, aching muscles into the large oversize tub supported by stately claw feet. After filling it almost to the top, she settled into the warm water, the fragrance of a spring bouquet teasing her nostrils. She soaked, letting the gentle warm pressure soothe her aching muscles, and soon even the throbbing in her head had decreased to a dull ache.
The staccato of the phone rent the air as she put the large towel around her wet locks, turban style, and fastened a long white terry robe securely around her waist.
“Dr.