Out of the Shadows. Melanie Mitchell

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Out of the Shadows - Melanie  Mitchell


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       “I know it’s asking a lot, but…”

      Ben regarded her with compassion, this time working hard to hide his emotions. Finally, he caught her small hand in his and brought it to his lips. “Look, you’re exhausted. Why don’t you go to bed? If you want me to stay, I can drag one of the exam cots onto the porch and sleep there.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “But if you wake up before me in the morning, just don’t mistake me for a patient….”

      She managed a little smile. “Thank you, Ben. That would be perfect.” They stood in silence for a few seconds. It took all of the self-control Ben had left to refrain from taking her in his arms again. Finally, he turned to leave. At the door he paused and looked back at her. Her face was red, her eyes were swollen and her hair was mussed. She had never looked more beautiful to him.

      He smiled and whispered, “Good night.”

      Dear Reader,

      In 1998, I was part of a team of nursing educators asked to travel to Kenya for two weeks to provide continuing education programs for missionary nurses. Most of these nurses were American or Canadian, and many had worked in Africa for years.

      The missionary nurses were amazing and inspirational. During our time together, I learned about the problems they encountered in their practices, as well as the less-than-ideal circumstances in which they often found themselves. I witnessed firsthand the grateful responses of the local people to their tireless work and loving care as they did whatever they could to manage the challenging situations, cultural differences and pervasive health problems.

      Out of the Shadows grew from stories shared by the nurses, as well as my observations of the country and the people. Several of the characters are based on people I met while there. For example, the leader and unofficial head of the group of nurses was a longtime missionary from Alabama; she became the inspiration for “Mama Joe.” The Merdians—the Bible translators who play a significant role in the book—were based on a family who lived and worked in Kenya for more than twenty years. I hope I did them justice, as they deserve respect and admiration.

      Enjoy the book!

      Melanie Mitchell

      Out of the Shadows

      Melanie Mitchell

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MELANIE MITCHELL

      is a native of Texas. With her husband, Scott, Melanie has lived in Belgium, South Korea and a number of cities in the United States. She has traveled throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Melanie draws on her travels and work abroad to bring a variety of settings, experiences and an understanding of different cultures into her work.

      Melanie has been a registered nurse for many years and currently teaches nursing in the Houston area. While she has written extensively—nursing textbooks and articles—she recently turned to her love of romantic suspense with Out of the Shadows, her debut novel.

      MILLS & BOON

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      To Scott, my support and inspiration (also a darned good pilot).

       Eldorado

      Gaily bedight,

      A gallant knight,

      In sunshine and in shadow,

      Had journeyed long,

      Singing a song,

      In search of Eldorado.

      But he grew old,

      This knight so bold,

      And o’er his heart a shadow

      Fell as he found

      No spot of ground

      That looked like Eldorado.

      And, as his strength

      Failed him at length,

      He met a pilgrim shadow;

      “Shadow,” said he,

      “Where can it be,

      This land of Eldorado?”

      “Over the Mountains

      Of the Moon,

      Down the Valley of the Shadow,

      Ride, boldly ride,”

      The shade replied,

      “If you seek for Eldorado!”

      —Edgar Allan Poe

      Contents

       PROLOGUE

       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

      


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