Gladioli in August Read Free Page B

This way, then.” He led her swiftly to the clinic, mentally working out how long each visit could be in order to get back in time for clinic.
    Jael wandered around the room, looking in cupboards, drawers, and shelves.
    He tapped his foot. “We don’t have time for this. Just pack what you need and let’s go.”
    “OK.” Jael packed a couple of bags and boxes. “That should do it.” She picked up the clipboard and started scribbling on the sheets.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Flight order.”
    He frowned. “Huh?”
    “Putting the visits in order of medical priority.”
    He shook his head. “Oh no, you don’t. It doesn’t work like that. My plane, my route.” He looked her up and down. She looked downright pretty in that dress and her legs were amazing, but it was the most impractical outfit he’d ever seen. “And you might want to change into something else.”
    Her face was a picture. “Why? This is my uniform.”
    “It’s a dress. And are those tights or stockings?”
    “Never you mind.” She stuck her hands on her hips. “Why?”
    Micah rolled his eyes, forbidding his mind to show him the images stockings produced. “Let me get this straight. You’re going out in a dress, stockings, and…” He broke off, raised an eyebrow and pointed. “And heels?”
    “And?”
    He shrugged. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, honey. Are you ready?”
    “Yeah. And don’t call me that. It’s what my brother calls his wife.”
    “Good.” He shoved the clipboard on top of the boxes and grabbed them. “Take the bags and let’s go.” He headed off, hearing her heels clicking on the floor tiles as she struggled to keep up with him. He wasn’t going to make this easy for her. She’d have to learn the hard way.
    ****
    Jael pored over the map in front of her as Micah did the final pre-flight checks. “Why don’t we go this way?” she asked, tracing the line with her finger.
    He gave her that really irritating stare over the top of his glasses. “Because we’re going the other way.”
    “But look.” She pointed to the map. “It’s quicker and makes more sense to go this way because we can do a visit on the way.”
    “Are you a pilot too?” There was a definite edge to his voice now.
    “No, but…”
    “Then let me handle the flying and the route. You stick to the medical stuff.” He picked up the radio. “Achor base this is Mike Romeo November, come in, over.”
    “Hey, Micah, why are you still here? How’s it going?” Danny sounded way chirpier than anyone had a right to sound.
    “Swimmingly.”
    On the cusp of losing her temper, Jael growled. “Look, this should go in the order of patient priority if nothing else.”
    “No.”
    “Why?” she demanded.
    “Because I already filed the flight plan. Now, shut up.”
    She raised an eyebrow. “Shut up?”
    “As in do not speak. Be silent.”
    “I know what it means.” She pushed back into her seat and folded her arms.
    “Good. Danny, we’re sticking to the usual east-west route.”
    Danny laughed. “Roger that. You kids play nicely, now. Out.”
    Micah put down the mic and took off much faster than Jael anticipated, the sudden acceleration forcing her back into the seat.
    She looked out of the window. “How long have you been flying?”
    “I got my license when I was nineteen, so about eight or nine years now. I love it.”
    “You don’t fancy jet liners or the military?”
    He shook his head. “And be responsible for hundreds of lives or follow orders? Nah. I’d rather be my own boss. How long have you been nursing?”
    “Six years.”
    “Always general nursing?”
    She twisted in her chair to look at him. “No. I’m on a six-month break from the ITU unit I’m a sister on.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “So the machines do all the hard work?”
    “No. It’s just as hands on as any other nursing, just a different kind. I fancied a change which is why I’m doing this.”
    Micah landed the plane on a field next to the house. A