Excerpt from COLONY ON FIRE.
The snippet – Saffia and Micah (the planet’s Chief Ranger and Saffia’s fiancee) and one of her nurses have flown the mobile clinic up to Northern Station, the remote, very small village. A bet was made whether there’d be a parade. Roann is the nurse. Continuing on…:
There was a knock on the cockpit door and Roann stuck her head in. “Hey, you guys, sorry to interrupt and all but there’s kind of a brass band waiting outside.”
“What?” Saffia straightened in shock and Micah stepped out of the way as she surged to her feet. Activating the outer vids she saw her nurse wasn’t kidding. A group was waiting on the edge of the landing pad and there did indeed seem to be a small band.
“Told you.” Micah was gracious enough in victory not to laugh as he stood aside for her to pass on the way out into the main cabin. “Face it, you’re a big deal, doc.”
Normally she wasn’t vain about her appearance but Saffia wished she could take a moment to at least fix her hair a bit but she’d already kept the good people of Northern Station waiting long enough. Mortified, she triggered the portal and Gretchen’s ramp slid out as the panel moved efficiently aside. There was a cheer as she stepped onto the ground and the band struck up a slightly wavering rendition of a fanfare. With annoyance she was aware of Micah stifling his amusement behind her, whether he was taking delight in being right about the scale of her welcome or the dubious musicality of the band she had no idea.
Roann came behind him. “Whoa, the town is sure pulling out all the stops for us, doctor.”
There was now a banner waving with “WELCOME DR. MANDELL and STAFF” emblazoned on it.
“No banner for me, you notice,” Micah said in a wicked whisper.
Ignoring him, keeping her dignity as a shield for nervousness, Saffia walked to meet her welcoming committee, sure the woman in the lead must be Mrs. Dagerty’s niece. The family jawline and eyebrows were unmistakable.
Sure enough, the lady extended her hand, saying, “I’m Ellen Dagerty Hayes, Administrator of Northern Station and I’m honored to welcome you to our humble hamlet.”
Saffia shook hands and rapidly introduced Micah and Roann and then said, “You really didn’t have to go to so much trouble to greet us but I’m flattered. I hope while we’re here for the next three days the nurse and I can make a difference in the general good health of the village and we welcome anyone to our clinic who needs care or even just has questions about a health issue.”
The crowd cheered. Ellen nodded. “I’ve coordinated with your staff at the main clinic and we’ve pretty much got your schedule full up with appointments the entire time.”
“Good, I’m glad. We’ll do our best to fit in any walk-ins as well.” The last thing Saffia wanted was to have spare time on her hands. Being away from the main clinic was a big deal to her so she needed this trip to be worthwhile.
“But that’s all for tomorrow.” Ellen gestured toward a line of waiting groundcars. “Please allow me and our citizens to escort you to the government house so you can rest and relax after your long flight.”
Saffia followed her toward the cars while Micah closed Gretchen up and activated the locks and security before joining her and Roann in the cavalcade. Saffia was expected to sit in the spot of honor in a convertible car, where she could see and be seen. Micah slipped in beside the driver, Saffia encouraged Roann to sit beside her and Ellen, with a small frown at the nurse, joined them, which made for a bit of crowding. Apparently Roann had been expected to ride in another car behind Saffia’s.
The parade left the landing field and drove slowly down the one central road.
Feeling slightly ridiculous, Saffia smiled and waved at small groups of people here and there beside the street. The band marched behind them, valiantly playing a catchy tune with a lot of drum accents.
COLONY ON FIRE: HAVEN COLONY BOOK TWO
When she came to Haven Two Dr. Saffia Mandell expected to grimly do her five years of medical service as the colony’s only doctor, work off her medical school debt and leave. Then she’d fallen in love, handled an epidemic and become an accepted member of the community. Now, in her second year, she faces new challenges as the tinder dry planet heads into a fire season and a mysterious food allergy threatens the local restaurant’s reputation.
Chief Ranger Micah Navonn of the Calinurra never expected to fall in love with a human woman but Saffia was a special person who captured his heart and now means everything to him. Not all of his people are as enthusiastic about the situation and his efforts to handle the politics are getting complicated. Add to that an infestation by insects from another world, causing portions of the forest to die off and his plate is full.
When the jet stream shifts course and the fires rage, will the colonists and the Calinurra set aside their differences? With Saffia’s life hanging in the balance, can Micah arrive in time to save her and the colonists in jeopardy?
Life on Haven Two never lets up.
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