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Adam's Promise
Gail Gaymer Martin
Accomplished surgeon Adam Montgomery is every nurse' s nightmare– and especially for Katharine Darling, his colleague in Doctors Without Borders. Though warm with patients, the arrogant doctor is cold with his staff.But after Adam barely survives several attempts on his life, his gruff manner changes under Kate' s tender care. Yet Kate hides her deeper feelings for him, certain that his wealthy family can never accept a woman with a past. Will the transformed doctor show the woman he' s fallen for that he needs her as a workmate… and a wife?
The lecture he’d heard before he came to Doctors Without Borders rose in his mind. Staff needed the ability to work together and live as a team, to manage stress, to be tolerant and flexible.
Flexibility was for the nurses and technologists, not surgeons, but here, he had to adjust.
Instead of heading back toward the nurses’ station, Adam headed for the dispensary to carry back a few supplies. He dug into his pocket for the dispensary key, but as he neared the doorway, he saw it was ajar.
Who would leave the room unlocked? He picked up his pace and pushed open the door.
“What are you doing?” he yelled.
A shot tore through him. Heat and pain seared his flesh as his legs buckled.
GAIL GAYMER MARTIN
loves life. She cherishes her husband, family, singing, traveling and her Lord. With all those blessings, God gave her one more gift—her dream of writing novels. Gail is multipublished in nonfiction and fiction, with eighteen novels and seven novellas. Her novels have been finalists for numerous awards and have won the Holt Medallion (2001 and 2003), The Texas Winter Rose (2003), the American Christian Romance Writers 2002 Book of the Year Award and a nomination by Romantic Times as Best Love Inspired Novel of 2002.
Besides writing, Gail travels across the country guest speaking and presenting writing workshops. She lives in Lathrup Village, Michigan, with Bob—her husband and best friend.
She loves to hear from her readers. Write to her at P.O. Box 760063, Lathrup Village, MI, 48076 and visit her Web site www.gailmartin.com.
Adam’s Promise
Gail Gaymer Martin
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
But the Lord is faithful,
and He will strengthen and protect you
from the evil one.
—2 Thessalonians 3:3
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Dr. Adam Montgomery—After surviving several attempts on his life, the arrogant surgeon has a change in attitude—and in faith.
Katherine Darling—The compassionate nurse offers lots of tender, loving care to Adam as he recuperates.
Liza Montgomery—Adam’s mother can’t resist matchmaking for her eldest son.
Frank Montgomery—The mayor of Colorado Springs is concerned about his injured son as well as the city’s rising crime rate.
Dr. Lionel Valenti—Is Adam’s co-worker suffering from a mere infection…or something more insidious?
Detective Samuel Vance—Can he stay objective while working on his friend’s case?
FAITH ON THE LINE:
Two powerful families wage war on evil…and find love.
ADAM’S PROMISE—
Gail Gaymer Martin (LI #259, July 2004)
FINDING AMY—Carol Steward
(LI #263, August 2004)
GABRIEL’S DISCOVERY—Felicia Mason
(LI #267, September 2004)
REDEEMING TRAVIS—Kate Welsh
(LI #271, October 2004)
PETER’S RETURN—Cynthia Cooke
(LI #275, November 2004)
PROTECTING HOLLY—Lynn Bulock
(LI #279, December 2004)
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed the first story of the series FAITH ON THE LINE. Though Adam’s and Kate’s struggles may be a little different from our own, many of us cling to our flaws and fears and let them control our lives. Kate held on to her past, ashamed of what people might think. Adam used his aloofness and arrogance to shield him from relationships.
But the most important lesson in Adam’s Promise is what God will do for us if we let Him. He will give us strength and protection, and Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will find us when we stray and return us safely to the fold.
If flaws and griefs of the past hold you in bondage, remember that Jesus is the Way and “God works for the good of those who love Him.”
Next month look for Carol Steward’s Finding Amy, in the continuing saga of FAITH ON THE LINE. You’ll spend more time with the Montgomery and Vance families as they fight to rid Colorado Springs of crime.
Thanks for reading Steeple Hill Love Inspired. May God send you His richest blessings.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter One
“I don’t get it.” Kate Darling pivoted her head toward Dr. Adam Montgomery standing in the clinic’s office doorway.
“Get what?” Adam pulled his shoulder away from the doorjamb, his stethoscope swaying at his neck as he crossed the room.
Kate gestured toward the papers she held, then used them as a fan. “We ordered adequate supplies last month, but we’re running short again. I’ve checked against our computer records, and it doesn’t match. I helped stock the last shipment, and now I’m wondering where my mind is.”
“I’ve wondered that myself,” Adam said, standing above her and watching Kate’s cheeks tint a soft shade of pink.
Her chair grated against the wooden floor as she shifted and rose to face him. “I’m sorry that you find me inadequate, Dr. Montgomery.”
Adam stepped back, surprised at the spunky attitude she’d shown lately. Should he remind her that she was only a nurse? He held back the comment, figuring the hot, humid climate had set them all on edge. “I didn’t question your ability as a nurse, Miss Darling. You’re an exceptional nurse. I question your competence in keeping accurate records of our supplies.”
Her eyes narrowed, and the look she sent him nailed him to the floor. “Perhaps we should hire a local to handle supplies. Is your Spanish prolific enough to give her orders?”
Adam held up his hand to calm the waters. “I’m not arguing with you, Katherine. We’re dealing with drugs here, and we need to be responsible. We can’t lose cartons of morphine and Demerol.”
“I didn’t lose anything. I just can’t find the boxes.” She spun around and headed for the doorway.
He watched her rounded hips sway as she charged across the room. Besides being irked by his comment, he knew she hated him to call her Katherine. Everyone called her Kate, but Adam thought that calling her Katherine kept things more professional.
Before she passed through the doorway, Kate paused, eyeing him over her shoulder. “You know, when I volunteered for Doctors Without Borders, I agreed to leave my cozy apartment and come to this village miles from nowhere, except mangroves and jungle.” She spun around to face him. “But I didn’t agree to be called inadequate.” She pivoted again and hurried out of the room.
“Look, Katherine. Come back…please.”
In a moment, she reappeared in the threshold, her arms folded across her chest.
“I’m not blaming you. It’s a month between shipments, and when we come up short—”
“I know.” Kate stepped into the room and approached him, her arms swinging in a hopeless gesture. “I’m upset, too. I don’t understand what happened.”
A movement at the doorway caught Adam’s attention.
“What happened?” The clinic’s internist stood inside the doorway, eyeing the two of them. “What’s the problem?” Perspiration beaded Lionel Valenti’s face, and he pulled out a handkerchief to blot the moisture.
“Our supplies,” Kate said, her tone as defeated as she looked.
Valenti’s gaze shifted from Kate to Adam as if not sure who had the answer. “What about them?”
“We’re running low on some of the meds,” Adam said, studying his co-worker’s face with concern. The man’s haggard look grew worse everyday, and Adam prayed he hadn’t contracted some type of jungle virus. The Venezuelan climate had been difficult for everyone.
“I hadn’t noticed,” Valenti said. “When I give away meds, I list them on the charts.”
“No one’s accusing anyone,” Adam said. “But according to Katherine, the computer records and what’s on the shelves don’t match.”
Valenti shrugged. “Our new shipment should be here on Thursday. It is the second Thursday of the month, isn’t it? If so, we don’t need to worry.”
“I’m not worried about running out. I’m worried about being accountable,” Adam said.
Kate held up her hand to halt the discussion. “I forgot to tell you. I got a call this morning. The Thursday shipment will arrive on Tuesday, two days early.” She shrugged. “Don’t ask me why.”
Valenti eyed his watch. “Tuesday. July sixth.” He swung his arms out at his sides and let them drop. “Then there’s no problem. In four days we’ll have a restocked dispensary.”
“But that still doesn’t answer my question,” Kate said as she marched toward the doorway and vanished into the hallway.
“What’s eating her?” Valenti asked.
Adam shrugged. “Prima donna. She doesn’t take criticism well.” He swung his frame into the chair Kate had vacated and eyed the computer screen. “She’ll get over it.”
Valenti leaned over with him and studied the monitor. When he drew back, he swayed and grabbed the chair back to steady himself.
Adam looked into his colleague’s face. “I’m concerned about you, Lionel. You don’t look well. You’re flushed and look tired. Have you checked your temperature?”
“It’s nothing,” Valenti said, waving Adam’s words away. “It’s the climate. I hate humidity. And I’ve got a sinus infection.”
“You sure? If you need a day off, we’ll cover for you.”
