Terri Reed - A Sheltering Heart

This trip would be unusual in several ways, most importantly because Derek Harper was coming to shadow his father and learn firsthand the administrative needs of the ministry his father had started sixteen years earlier.

She looked forward to proving to Dr. Harper that she was ready to lead her own team on a Hands of Healing mission as they’d discussed several times over the last few months. Dr. Harper had indicated that this trip would be Gwen’s time to be in charge of the medical personnel while Dr. Harper showed his son the meaningfulness of the work.

Gwen was grateful her dealings with Derek would be minimal. He made her uncomfortable, not in a sleazy way, but in a strange, unfamiliar way that left her feeling vulnerable and self-conscious. She didn’t like the feelings at all.

“Harper.”

Ned’s low warning in Gwen’s right ear invaded her space and made her quickly step back. For a breathless moment she rocked off balance onto the heels of her tennis shoes.

But then a big, strong hand grasped her elbow, pushed her slightly forward, back on to firm footing, holding her until her world steadied. She quickly extracted her elbow from the strong grip.

“Thank you,” she murmured as she turned her gaze to her rescuer and met vivid green eyes.

Tall, blond and amused, Derek Harper cocked a tawny brow at her. “Too much coffee?”

Her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth for half a second before she regained her composure. “I don’t drink coffee.”

“Ah. Maybe you should.” He turned his attention to the others. “Good morning all. I guess we’re really going to do this.”

Joyce smiled. “So glad to have you along, Derek.”

Gwen stared at the slightly interested gleam in Joyce’s blue gaze. Surely Joyce wasn’t falling victim to Derek’s surfer, beach-bum good looks.

Gwen gave a mental shrug. She certainly didn’t care if Joyce set her sights on Derek. Romantic relationships were the last thing on Gwen’s mind. They were too unpredictable and too easy to lose control of.

As Derek shook hands with Craig and then Ned, Gwen asked, “Where’s your father?”

“He and Mother are coming.”

Gwen raised her brows. “Your mother’s coming on the trip?” That was also new and unusual.

From what Gwen had gathered over the years, Sally Harper didn’t travel—something about a fear of flying—even though she supported her husband’s vision of spreading God’s word through providing medical services to those in need.

Derek’s gaze bored into her. The quick negative shake of his head left her bewildered. In the past, Mrs. Harper said her goodbyes at home.

Gwen rationalized that since both son and father were traveling on this trip that Mrs. Harper had decided to see them off. Not so unusual in the grand scheme of things, she supposed. Gwen really liked her boss’s unassuming and soft-spoken wife.

A small gasp from Joyce alerted Gwen’s sense of unease. The little hairs on the back of her neck prickled.

“Here they are,” Derek said and moved aside so they could be joined by Dr. and Mrs. Harper.

Gwen echoed Joyce’s gasp and shock skipped up her spine to settle in a pounding beat behind her eyes. She blinked. But what she saw in front of her didn’t change.

Dr. Harper sat in a wheelchair. The left pant leg of his dark cotton slacks had been cut away from the knee to the toes, exposing a hard white cast. His wife, looking tired, pushed the wheelchair. She was dressed in a comfortable knit two-piece suit in a demure green that brought out the color in her green eyes. Her blond hair was pulled back in a cropped ponytail.

“What…what happened?” Gwen ducked under the rope and moved to Dr. Harper’s side.

Dr. Harper gave a rueful laugh. “Tripped over the dog in the middle of the night and fell down the stairs.”

“Nearly gave us a heart attack,” Sally piped up, placing her hand on his shoulder in a gesture of affection.

“Did you break a bone? Is it serious?”

“A hairline fraction of the tibia. I’m fine. It’ll heal in no time.”

“So you’re okay to travel, right?” Gwen asked, her gaze searching Ross Harper’s lined face.

He shook his head. Regret shone bright in his eyes. “No. Which is why I needed to talk with you all before you leave.”

Gwen’s gut clenched. The situation was spinning out of control. She detested not being prepared for change. She liked life to be predictable and orderly. Though medicine was a practice, procedures and step-by-step instructions kept the unexpected in check. “We should postpone the trip.”

Dr. Harper took Gwen’s hand, the warmth and assurance in his touch calming. “You all still need to go. Family in Crisis is expecting you.”

Their partner organization in Africa had spent money, time and effort in bringing medical personnel to the undeveloped region of Moswani. Hands of Healing had made a commitment. Gwen understood that they had to keep that commitment. She returned to her place in line.

Her mind whirled with the implications of Dr. Harper not joining them. Would she be in charge? Would she be expected to take on the role of administrator, as well? Did Dr. Harper have that much faith in her?

She sent up a silent prayer of thanks to God for the opportunity He’d presented her. She’d make sure not to disappoint Dr. Harper’s trust.

Dr. Harper quickly talked to the group, telling them they would be fine without him because they’d all been on similar missions before and he had no doubts that they’d do splendidly. They could expect a great deal of help from Family in Crisis. He appointed Gwen lead medical personnel.

Even though Gwen knew it was more out of necessity than confidence in her ability—she didn’t have a specialty the way Joyce or Ned did and Craig was too inexperienced—she was pleased.

“So, Derek, this should be an adventure for you,” Craig stated with a wide grin.

Gwen’s gaze jumped to Derek’s. For a fraction of a second she could have sworn she saw hesitation in his eyes before he nodded.

“Yes, and any help you can give me will be appreciated.”

“You stick close, I’ll show you the ropes,” Joyce practically purred.

Gwen frowned. What role would Mister CEO play if his father wasn’t coming to keep him occupied?

They moved collectively forward, inching closer to the no-return zone. Gwen’s palms began to sweat. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Dr. Harper should be leading the way.

“Can we say a prayer?” she asked, needing strength and clarity.

Dr. Harper gave her a pleased smile. Across the security ropes the team members joined hands. Gwen held her hand out to Derek. With a slight frown and quick glance around, he slipped his hand around hers. Dr. Harper intoned a prayer for a safe and successful journey.

“Uh, hmm.” The security attendance cleared his throat, signaling they were next to pass through. Dropping hands, they each showed their IDs and tickets.

“Here we go. See you, Doc,” Ned said as he stepped up to the security post, deposited his bag on the conveyor belt for screening. He stepped through the metal detector and went to collect his bag. Craig and Joyce followed Ned. They cleared security and headed for the gate.

“Bye, Doc,” Joyce said with a wave. “See you in two weeks.”

Gwen stood by, allowing others to go through, as Derek hugged his parents. Derek hefted his big black satchel over his shoulder and slipped under the rope. “Coming, Gwen?”

Dr. Harper waved off his son. “You go ahead. I need a word with her first.”

“Okay.” To Gwen, he said, “See you on the other side.”

“Gwen, I need a huge favor,” Dr. Harper said as soon as his son was through the metal detector and fading into the crowd.