Chapter 27
Their dinner ten days prior felt like years ago as nerves churned through his insides. Kyle studied Gen as she twisted her fingers in her lap, not looking at him. They were waiting outside the hospital’s conference room until Jerrold Graham had readied them for Gen to appear.
He reached over, grasped her hand, stilling her restless fingers. “Hey, it’s going to be okay.”
She nodded, then slipped her fingers from his, only igniting his desire to hold them again. To hold her again. To kiss her again. To finally settle this future between them again.
But he still sensed it wasn’t the right time, and he didn’t want to spoil things by running ahead of what God wanted.
Which left him waiting, trying not to be frustrated, learning patience, endurance, and what trusting in God actually meant when there was no obvious or quick solution.
Just like what was happening with the outcome of today’s board review.
He reached across, gently squeezed her fingers. “Hey, let’s pray.”
“Thanks.”
He didn’t close his eyes, but lowered his head.
“Hey God, You know what’s been done, what’s being said, and we thank You that You’ve got all of this under control.
We don’t need to worry. We know that whatever happens You can work things out for Gen’s good.
And so we pray for Your peace that surpasses all understanding to guard Gen’s heart and mind in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Amen. ”
“Amen,” she whispered, then glanced up. “Thanks.”
He squeezed again then let go. Oh, he loved praying freely with her like this. Even if Minnie and his folks still looked at him weirdly whenever he busted out in prayer. But he wasn’t going to be so meek and humble that he never shared his faith.
The guys in the Northwest Ice crew had talked about that recently too.
Jai had been blunt. “JT’s death has really made it clear to me that our lives are fragile.
And I hate to say it but some of our teammates are gonna go to hell.
And that’s a real place. And we can cry about it when they’re gone or we can do something about it now.
And I’d rather do something about it and share the good news even if it makes me look like a fool. ”
Others had nodded. “Me too.”
Kyle put his hand up. “I’m with you.”
And he was trying to do so. By listening to God. Following God’s leading. Following God’s promptings. Taking time to be still each day so he could know God and hear His voice. There were so many other voices out there that he needed to tune his ear in to the One whose voice mattered most.
His Heavenly Father.
The door opened and Jerrold walked out. “Okay, Dr. Rivas, they are ready for you now.”
“You’ve got this,” Kyle murmured.
“God’s got this.” She pushed her shoulders out and smiled.
His heart contracted, as he watched her enter the room.
What a contrast to six months ago when she’d owned a quiet confidence, but it had been edged with worry and constrained by stress.
Now her confidence might still have its shaky moments, but when reminded of who she was, Whose she was, Gen retained a peace that he was starting to envy.
For a woman who had been saved only a few months, she was spurring him on to deeper faith.
He smiled to himself, put his elbows on his knees. Maybe that was what God wanted. Not just two people who believed the same, but who were equally yoked in running after God, and wanting Him to lead them.
He’d seen that with the other guys in the Northwest Ice group.
Mike and Bree Vaughan shared a passion for the Philippines mission organization Mission Possible for Future Generations.
Mike was a spokesman for the group while Bree worked behind the scenes.
Together they worked hard to shine a light on this organization that helped impoverished children in the Philippines.
Franklin and Hannah James also had a shared interest in helping others, especially those women affected by domestic violence and online bullying.
Zac Parotti and his wife Ainsley also supported initiatives to help stop the trafficking of women and children, both here in North America and further afield.
Ainsley had even given up her lucrative Hallmark career to produce and star in movies that helped shine a light on that issue.
They were all making a difference, working with purpose as partners together, spurring others on to love and good works.
Which is what he wanted to do. With Gen.
And maybe it was too early to suggest such a thing now, but one day, way down the track when he was retired and she was tired of working in hospitals stateside, maybe they could look at working together in a mission organization somewhere.
Mission groups always needed doctors, didn’t they?
And while he possessed zero medical skills, he could help finance things, and use his muscles somehow.
A faint whistling sound drew his attention to the air conditioner. Man, this interview was taking a while. He prayed for Gen, then prayed for the board members to have soft hearts that God could direct with favor toward Gen.
His phone buzzed a message. Ryan.
Any news?
Happening as we speak.
Praying.
Ryan sent an emoji of praying hands.
Thanks.
God bless Ryan and the others for stepping up and helping spur Kyle on to deeper faith. For encouraging him to lean on God and not his own efforts. For encouraging him to listen to that still, small voice, and not just run ahead.
Lord, be with Gen, give her peace, and wisdom, and bring vindication for her.
It still amazed him—and Jerrold—how the hospital committee had held out on a decision for so long. It felt crazy that it had taken until now before all parties could finally have a face-to-face meeting.
He wondered whether the recent announcement on Seattle’s NHL team social media from Doc Cheloff had made any impact.
Then prayed for Coach Aitken, who was off getting a skin graft after his cancer was found to be a stage 3 malignant melanoma.
Praise God that Gen had been sitting where she had, and had the courage to speak up.
But that’s what people had to do in this world. Pay attention and speak up when they noticed injustice or when things were wrong.
Lord, be with Gen, give her Your peace and help her have clarity to say what really needs to be said.
He prayed a little longer, until a stirring came from within, and he straightened.
Then the door opened, and a stream of people poured out.
Suited, some wore glasses, some held briefcases, all looked serious, no joking among them.
He nodded to those who bothered to glance at him, met a few curious looks in response.
So where was Gen? What had happened? He stood, peering inside the door that was ajar.
“Kyle.”
He jumped at Jerrold’s voice. “Whoa. Where did you come from? How did it go? Where is she?”
Jerrold’s poker face revealed no clue. “She needs to tell you herself.”
Oh no. That didn’t sound good. Lord, be with her.
“Should I—?” He gestured to inside but Jerrold shook his head.
“It won’t be much longer now.”
Jerrold’s phone buzzed with a steady stream of notifications that suggested he’d missed quite a few calls during the meeting. Kyle left him to deal with them, then walked to the end of the hallway where a large window looked down to the concrete below.
Lord, be with her. Help her. And me. Guide us into all You have for us.
Should he admit that he was actively house-hunting?
Maybe that would be something that would help her deal with the disappointment if today’s decision didn’t go as expected.
He’d seen a few contenders online, even walked through one he liked, especially given its proximity to his training facilities and other important priorities.
But no. He really didn’t want to distract her with things that weren’t entirely necessary.
And talking about house-hunting kind of gave room for her to speculate that this relationship was at a point that he really wasn’t sure God was saying yes to yet.
He sighed, fogging up the glass, then heard a door shut behind him.
He turned. “Gen?” He was by her side in ten quick strides. “How did it go? Have you been reinstated?” He glanced at the man standing beside her. “You really should have, you know. She’s such a fantastic asset to this hospital that you’d be crazy to let her go.”
The man studied him a moment then lowered his chin a half inch. “This situation has been unfortunately prolonged, and I deeply regret the circumstances that led us here.”
Oh no. He glanced at Gen, who remained staring at the floor.
“So I must say that I agree with you. Which is why we have concluded that Dr. Rivas is absolved of all wrongdoing, and have issued her an official apology.”
Kyle grabbed Gen’s upper arms. “Really?”
She nodded, her smile escaping. “Really.”
“Oh, praise God!” He hugged her, swinging her around, nearly knocking over her boss or whoever he was on the way. “Uh, sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to get you then. I’m just so pleased, and it’s been such a stupidly long wait to get this result.”
“Yes, well, I’ll admit that was not well-handled on our end.
It appears there were certain parties placing pressure on committee and board members, and when we discovered this, well, it threw a very different perspective on the case.
Needless to say, the allegations against Dr. Rivas have proved to be erroneous. ”
“Erroneous, huh?”
“I’m sure she will fill you in on all the details, Mr. Tinker.”
Kyle’s eyes widened. “You know me?”
“Of course. Anytime we have a celebrity enter our premises, I make it my business to know. And it just so happens that I have season tickets at the Kraken games and might’ve seen your name mentioned a time or two.
” He turned to Gen, held out his hand. “Dr. Rivas, I hope you know how deeply we regret this situation, and I trust that you will in time find it in your heart to forgive those who were unprofessional in their conduct with you.”
Whoa. What had happened?