Page 15 of Healing Love

“I am not a threat, my child. They know that. I am protected by the veil, and they know I will not try to escape. Nor am I impressed by their wealth or power.Those earthly, ill-gotten gains mean nothing to me. But having me along with you last night gave the illusion that it was just a friendly meal.”

“But they kidnapped us. They keep us under lock and key!” Miriam whispered harshly. “How can they think we want to be captives?”

“Look around. Are we not kept safe by the men with guns at our door? Are we not fed better than the workers? You see, in their minds, we are being treated well and as a reward for our service here for the cartel, they are willing to bestow upon you some of their wealth. And if you become a mistress to someone higher up at the same time…so much the better for them.”

Miriam dropped the bundle, clutching the table in front of her until her knuckles were white. Feeling light-headed, she sucked in a huge breath letting it out slowly. “This is madness,” she barely whispered.

She felt Sister Genovia’s hand cover hers and squeeze. “Yes, but this is the madness they live in.”

Miriam turned her face back to the older woman and said, “What do I do?”

She felt the nun’s piercing gaze and held it. Never wavering.

Sister Genovia nodded. “That’s good. You’re not enticed by the lure of what is here. Sharon is. You cannot persuade her differently and do not try. Leave that to me. They will expect it of me but will look suspiciously at you if you try to talk her out of the path she has decided to go on. But” she squeezed Miriam’s hand for emphasis, “do no talk in front of Sharon. She will quickly become an informant if she thinks it will makeher road easier. For now, take care of Lorainne. She is ill and becoming weaker. Do what you’re told and keep your wits about you.”

Lickings her lips nervously, Miriam nodded and then turned her sad gaze back to the nun’s. “I’m never leaving, am I? I’ll never see my family again, will I?” She battled the tears threatening to fall, blinking furiously.

Another squeeze. “My child, you never know what God has in store for us. But I pray for your deliverance and the deliverance of the others.”

“It would take a miracle,” Miriam whispered, beginning to feel that there were no miracles in store for her.

Smiling, Sister Genovia replied, “Miracles happen. And I have a feeling that one is just waiting for you.”

A guard stuck his head into the tent and the two women quickly began counting the bandage rolls once more. Gathering some in her arms, she walked briskly by the guard and into the infirmary tent, seeing Ernesto and Sharon standing very close together. Sharon was leaning close to the handsome doctor and his eyes were on the woman. Remembering the words of the nun, Miriam gave them a quick smile and continued into the next room.

Please God. I need that miracle.But until it came, she bent over the exam table and began helping the next ill worker.

Miriam heard the noise of a truck pulling up outside and men shouting. Wanting to be as far away from thecommotion as possible, she moved toward the back while continuing to check on patients. Pushing her damp hair away from her sweaty face, she bent over the worker who had been retching most of the night. From the looks of him, he might not live through the day.

Dr. Villogas moved beside her and bent over the patient as well, his body too close to hers for comfort.

“I hope you enjoyed the dinner last night,” he said, turning his handsome smile toward her. “Mr. Guzman and I were thrilled to have such company.”

“It was lovely,” she commented. “I hope we did not put your wives out too much.”

The only thing that gave away his surprise at her comment was the flash of irritation that moved through his eyes.

“Not at all. Our wives are very…accommodating that way.”

Forcing a smile on her face, she just nodded.

“We would love to have you join us again sometime,” he said, his voice smooth.

She looked across the room, catching Sharon’s gaze on her and was trying to think of an answer when she was saved by the yelling from a guard at the door.

Dr. Villagas and she moved to the outside of the tent where a large truck parked, two men in the back being loaded onto stretchers and being brought inside. The doctor immediately moved with the ill, and Miriam stayed behind, hoping to put some distance between her and him for as long as possible.

Her eyes turned back to the truck, the acrid smell of vomit emanating from the bed of the vehicle. That waswhen she noticed the driver. How could she not notice him? Compared to most men around, he was huge. Taller than her brother who was six feet, two inches tall, he was built like one of the football players she would see when Jobe dragged her to college games. His black hair curled over his ears and down his neck. His olive skin was covered in the same dust that coated the truck. He had a few days scruff on his face, needing a good shave to go along with a haircut. His cargo pants were muddy at bottom as well as his boots caked in the clay. Other men around seemed to be giving the driver a wide berth, probably wondering if he were going to become sick as well. As her eyes moved back up his enormous frame, she was startled to see that he was staring. At her. Directly at her.

7

Cam could not believe his luck…or fate.How the hell did I manage to pull up to the exact infirmary tent that she’s at?

He looked away quickly, but not before she had noticed him. Her face, having been committed to memory from the photograph, was now forever burned into his soul from seeing her in person. The family resemblance to Jobe was noticeable, but she was more beautiful in person.

Long, dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. Clean hospital scrubs that did not hide the curves beneath. Her complexion was marred by the dark circles underneath her eyes, and he quickly ascertained that she was several pounds thinner than her latest photograph. Her eyes landed on his and before he looked away, he saw the flash of curiosity…as well as fear…in her expression.

Placing his hand over his stomach, he received the desired response of the others moving away. Since noone knew what might be wrong with the agents he brought in, he hoped to keep the others away as well.

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