Read Jade for Free Online Page B

their bodies. Their sarongs are a bit torn, as well. This screams of a motorcycle accident. They must have been fooling around. They deserve tetanus shots and a lecture. Somehow I think they already got the lecture from Cook-she looks like a no nonsense type of woman-my kinda gal. With hand gestures, I ask her for water and go to my room to get my case. I throw my personal stuff on my bed, and bring the suitcase downstairs. I may as well save myself some trips and take it down there for good.
    I patch them up as well as I can. I’ve got surgical tape that I use to close the most damaged leg. The boy cringes a little, but does not make a sound.  
    While I was taking care of the kids, Cook’s emptied my suitcase, and brought it back to my room. She’s sorted all the medical supplies, and has put them away in a wood crate. 
    When I return to the lab, she helps me carry the crate there.
    Around lunch, Cook comes to get me, again. It’s check up time. The baby’s much better, and I’m really happy about that.
     
    ❦

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
    I STAND UNDER THE WATERFALL. I’ve located this big mossy rock that allows me to keep my head over the water and get my shoulders massaged by the cascading water. 
    Agatha’s left for the weekend to Vientiane with James, so I’m alone with no work to do. 
    Cook is doing her best to keep me occupied. I’ve become the first aid center of the adjacent village. What I do for them does not require advanced medical knowledge; just the basic supplies that I brought with me, which are now stored in the kitchen under Cook’s supervision. She’s moved them from the lab. Cook decided on her on own that it would be more convenient and safer. 
    What I do is mainly the same stuff my mother used to do every other day to my brother when he came back from school or football practice with bruises and cuts. There are a few exceptions when I think I’m almost practicing medicine when I shouldn’t, but then I think that it’s me or nothing, so I try to do my best.
    Cook set visiting hours for us, so that her kitchen organization is not disturbed. She watches everything I do intently. 
    Next week, I’ll let her do it. This way, when I go, she can keep the service up. Well, as long as I can find a way to get supplies to her. I’m sure I can guilt some labs into giving a steady supply when I get back home in a few weeks.
     I close my eyes. I’m in my own little bubble, all the rest of the world is blocked out, nothing else exists except  the roaring water cascading around me.  I savor the sensation of the cool water massaging my back, and consider my options for the day. I will go back to my favorite temple, take a walk into town or check on my buffalo patient. 
    I roll my shoulders, and bend my head to stretch my neck. My mockery of a bed is killing my back.
    When I open my eyes, Oliver is treading water in front of me. I keep my eyes to his face, but my mind is sinking below the surface. I wonder if he’s as naked as I am. 
    We’ve got to stop meeting like this… I mean, without our clothes on. The sentence is so cliché that I keep it to myself, and just smile, I can’t help myself. 
    In fact, I think I’m wearing an ear-to-ear grin just looking into his chocolate eyes. 
    “Are you here to check on my addiction issues?” 
    Did I just say that out loud? Now it’s official, I’m in full regression mode. I’m acting like a teenager. Agatha would say that it’s about time!
    He cocks his head “Are you flirting with me?” 
    “I’m trying. Is it working? I don’t have much practice.”
    “You could have fooled me. I think you’re doing just fine.”
    “I’m glad to hear it.”
    “So, does this mean you could be interested in another kiss?”
    Now my cheeks are burning. I must be beet red. It’s nature’s way of making the blood rush back from my feet to my brain to help me realize that I’m making a fool of myself. 
    I chew on my lip while I