Angel of Mercy Read Online Free

ocean world was beautiful, but the vast sea of blue sometimes depressed her. And some days, in spite of the bright sun, the sea air was cold. She stepped out on deck one morning to brilliant sunshine, but a northwest wind blew along the length of the deck, making her shiver.
    “Would you like my sweater, Heather?”
    Ian stepped up beside her. He wore a cream-colored cable-knit sweater of Irish wool, and his hair looked windblown.
    “Thanks, but I’m headed down to the galley, and it’s nice and warm down there. We’re baking bread today. Maybe some pizzas too—food of the gods.”
    Ian laughed and rubbed her arms briskly. “That’s a strange dish.”
    “You don’t like pizza? That’s un-American.”
    “I’m a Scotsman, remember.”
    She dropped her head dramatically onto his shoulder. “Of course you are.”
    “If it’s bread you like, you’d better eat your fill on the ship, because Ugandans have no equivalent.”
    “What? A land with no bread? What do they eat instead?”
    “Rice.
Matoke.
That’s a cooked plantain, a kind of banana.” She made a face. He added, “It’s served in a mushy pile, like potatoes, but it doesn’t taste like potatoes.”
    “Oh, the hardship of service.” Heather placed the back of her hand against her forehead and pretended to swoon. “Well, you can’t scare me. I’m still going to Africa—with or without my daily bread.”
    Ian laughed heartily. “Your enthusiasm is noted. And you will need it once we get there. When the power goes down and there’s no hot water to bathe yourself or the patients, you may feel different.”
    Heather bristled. “I can take a little hardship. I’m not made of glass, you know.”
    “I’m certain that’s true. But I don’t want you to get discouraged.”
    “Then why are you trying to discourage me?”
    His expression grew serious. “Because I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. And I’m not just talking about your safety. Sometimes the dreams we hold in our hearts don’t always measure up to what we must face in our life.”
    “You’re afraid I’ll become disillusioned? You sound like my parents.”
    “Is that who I remind you of? Your father?” He pulled back, pretending to be horrified. “I would hate for you to think of me as your kin.”
    “Then stop treating me like a baby sister.”
    His smile turned soft. “I have a sister, Heather. I don’t need another one.”
    She gave him a grudging smile, not certain what to make of his teasing. Did he like her? Or was he just worried that she might weaken the team because of her inexperience? She was prepared to sacrifice her personal comfort. She knew her time of service in Africa wasn’t going to be a picnic. She said, “Well, I feel sorry for your sister because you probably watch over her like a hawk and criticize every guy she brings home. You should give her the benefit of the doubt. She just
may
know what she’s doing.”
    “Yes, maybe that’s so.”
    Heather knew they weren’t really talking about his sister, but it seemed the best way to get her point across. “Now, I’ve got to get down to the galley, or you’ll be begging for your lunch and it won’t be there.”
    “Then I’ll see you later.”
    Neither of them moved. They stood looking into each other’s eyes while Heather’s heart hammered. Ian reached out and softly ran the back of his hand along her cheek. She shivered, but this time it didn’t come from being cold.

4
    Dear Heather,
    I could go on about how boring it is around here without you this summer, but why put you to sleep? Mom and Dad are so busy that they hardly ever come home—except at night when I have something else to do! Anyway, we don’t see much of each other (their loss). I print out your e-mails and stick them onto the fridge so they won’t go snooping on the computer. That way if you ever want to tell me something personal and private, I can edit it out before I print it for general consumption. Smart,