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CHAPTER ONE

THE dry season dust surged past Maggie Everett as she halted the battered Jeep next to the sleek jet Raising a hand, she shielded her eyes from the sun and the haze of the plains of northern Ghana in West Africa

As the passengers disembarked froie hadn’t seen ht in the last couple of years but she could still recognize a fine-looking specimen when she saw one

He looked in her direction, while behind hie A balding e fro with exciteh bundles that were unloaded Theytheir sue

These were the latest medical personnel to fill in at the remote hospital for a feeeks She appreciated the assistance but what the hospital desperately needed was enough financial support to hire additional physicians ould be co for years

The ain as he strode toward her His aviator sunglasses added uess, over six feet He reazines her es Like one of the edness, offset by a touch of refineie’s pulse beat a little faster in anticipation

Reaching her, he flipped the glasses up to rest on the top of his head, revealing crystal-blue eyes, made sharper by the deep tan of his skin “I’ I’ve two sensitive pieces of equipht away”

No hello, nice to uard Could he be? “Ar Foundation? Boston?” She didn’t try to keep her disgust out of her voice

“Yes”

He could be the very one who had denied the hospital’s request for aid, including her plan for an urgently needed children’s clinic The locals were desperate for medical care, children the most The hospital required help to stay open, and her new program could make a difference But the hospital didn’t meet their require enough patients She gritted her teeth Not qualify! She couldn’t iine a project more qualified or a hospital more in need

“So why are you here if you’ve already denied our application?”

His lad to discuss that with you after we get this equipment out of the sun”

Before she could respond with the sharp retort that sprang to mind, her name filled the air

“Missy Maggie, Missy Maggie” Neetie, a young African boy, ran across the parched ground toward her Clouds of dust trailed behind He halted beside the Jeep “Truck Hit Hurt,” he said in his native tongue between panting breaths “Come Now”

“You’re needed,” she said to the doctor “Get in, Neetie”

The long-legged doctor gave a curt nod and picked up a knapsack fro into the seat beside her Maggie noted his split-second hesitation before he reached for Neetie