Gladioli in August by Clare Revell Read Free Book Online

stopped playing, the breath catching in his throat. Footsteps echoed.
    A voice called his name. “How many times have I told you not to touch it?”
    “Sorry. I’m sorry. I won’t break it. I just wanted to play…” He scooted backwards into the corner, holding his hands up to defend himself.
    “You’ll be sorry when I’m done with you.” The belt swished…
    “Micah…” His name echoed.
    Something soft touched his arm. “Micah? Are you all right?”
    He peeped through his fingers. “Jael?”
    Concern tinged her otherwise beautiful face. “Yeah. Are you all right?”
    Micah lifted his head, not sure which was more embarrassing. The fact his cheeks were wet or that he was cowering in the corner like a scared six-year-old. He pushed upright. “I’m fine. It’s late. I should go to bed. Or I won’t be fit to fly in the morning.” He hurried from the room before she could stop him or say anything.
    ****
    The parcel sat by Jael’s feet all through breakfast, but she resisted the desire to open it there and then. It was from Kyle, and she knew her brother well enough to know his idea of care packages included things she didn’t want the men at the table with her seeing.
    Micah hadn’t appeared at all. She hoped he was all right. He’d freaked out on her last night. One minute he’d been playing the organ and they were getting on incredibly well, the next he was apologizing for something he hadn’t done and didn’t seem to know where he was. Then, when she finally got a response from him, he’d left.
    She’d only seen something like that once in her career, and they’d called it a flashback or post traumatic reaction. What could have caused it? Maybe they could talk during the flight today. Although if Micah was sick, he wasn’t going anywhere.
    Once the meal and Bible study were over, she took her parcel into the office. She reached for the clipboard as the floor shuddered beneath her feet. Another tremor. Over the last week, they’d gotten stronger but were more annoying than anything else. They lasted only a few seconds and were never big enough to cause any damage—aside from the odd broken glass which slid off a table.
    No one seemed bothered.
    They were used to living in a seismically active area. It scared her half to death every single time, but if no one else was panicking, she figured she didn’t need to either.
    Jael turned her attention to the parcel. With each item carefully wrapped individually, it contained the usual assortment of teabags, coffee, crisps, soap, deodorant, and the chemist stuff she’d be unable to get out here. A note from Holly assured her that Kyle hadn’t bought those.
    Right at the bottom was a packet of tent pegs. The note read ‘for errant men who can’t behave themselves. Use wisely.’ She laughed as she pulled out the last package. A pretty crystal vase containing fabric gladioli that looked to be in water, but they were gelled into the base. She set the vase on the desk and turned it around.
    Micah came into the room. He looked dreadful. He had no color and the huge bags under his eyes indicated little or no sleep. “Morning,” he croaked.
    “Hi. You skipped breakfast. Are you sick?”
    “Just not hungry.” He reached for the clipboard. “Look, about last night.”
    “You don’t need to say anything if you don’t want to.” Pushing her own desire to know to one side, she wasn’t going to be nosy and stick her oar in where it wasn’t wanted or needed.
    “I ought to…” He grabbed the desk as the room swayed.
    Steve came in. “Here we go again. This is getting boring now. But if it runs its usual course, it’ll be over by the end of the week.”
    The moment gone, Jael glanced at Micah. “Do you want to go and get a flask of coffee from the kitchen to take with us? Maybe ask if we can have one of the huge breakfast ones with a couple of cups to keep us both going today.”
    He frowned, but nodded and headed from the room.
    Surprised he’d