Rachel O'Malley works disasters for a living. Her specialty? Helping children through trauma. When a school shooting rips through her community, she finds herself dealing with more than just grief among the children she is trying to help. One of them saw the shooting, and the gun is still missing. Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become a loyal and committed family. They have chosen their own surname, O'Malley, and have stood by each other through moments of joy and heartache. Their stories are told in CBA best-selling, inspirational romantic suspense novels that rock your heart and restore strength and hope to your spirit. The Healer By Dee Henderson Tyndale House Publishers Copyright © 2005 Dee Henderson All right reserved. ISBN: 9781414310602 Chapter One We need to go, Mrs. Sands." Rachel O'Malley stopped theelderly lady from turning toward her living room and insteadsteered her toward the front door and the waiting Red Crossvolunteer. Shutters rattled and a misty rain blew in the open door,dampening the hallway. The Des Plaines River was surging through thelevee; and getting people to safety was the priority. It was Tuesday,March 13, and rains across Chicago had triggered rapid flooding alongsix miles of the river. "I need my pictures." "Yes, ma'am. But I'm afraid there isn't time." Rachel shifted thebirdcage and medicine bag she carried to help Mrs. Sands with herraincoat. "This wind is strong, so let Nora and the officer help you." With twenty minutes warning to leave their homes, residents wereable to grab a few clothes and personal items but that was it. Nora tookMrs. Sands's arm and helped her walk to the waiting rescue vehicle.Rachel handed her personal items to the officer. In the twilight, torchlights bobbed like fireflies along the block asthree police officers and two other Red Cross workers took part in theevacuation search. Rachel worked disasters for a living, but she wouldnever get used to floods. Little could be done once the flooding tookground. Rachel placed a red fluorescent square on the garage door of58 Governor Street to mark it as confirmed empty. Cold, muddy waterswirled over her boots and reached to her jeans as she waded into thewater to cut across the yard. The next house was set back from the road, with sloping, landscapedgrounds. Located closer to the river, the house was suffering themost damage of any so far as water poured in through the backyardand rushed around the house to flow down Governor Street. Rachelfought against the water to walk up the driveway. It took her feet outfrom under her. She instinctively threw her arms up to protect her headas she was swept downhill toward the street. It was her second dunkingof the day. She slammed up against fire boots. "Got you." The reassuring words came moments before hands slidaround her jacket and hauled her to her feet. Captain Cole Parker stoodin the rushing water with his feet braced apart and let the current breakaround him. He'd been buttoning his fire coat. "Thanks, Cole." Everything on her was wet. She leaned forwardand dried her face on his shirt. It was rough blue denim and she couldsee the white T-shirt beneath it. He had planned for the reality of thisweather better than she had, with layers to fight the chill. The breadthof muscles on the man stretched the fabric taut. "My pleasure, Rae." His hands pushed back her dripping hair as helaughed. "You are really wet. The water bang you up any?" "I'm okay." She was embarrassed and annoyed that he'd seen herfall, but she couldn't do much about any of it. Her short haircut wasnew, and when it was wet it lost any definition and simply becamestraggles of hair. She blinked water out of her eyes and sniffed, thenreached for his hand and dried her eyes on the back of his cuff. "I wish I'd brought at least a hand towel." She tilted her head to dislodge the water in her ear. "You're enjoyingthis." "I'd love to have a camera right now," Cole confirmed, his smilewidening. He put his hands on her shoulders and helped her turnagainst the rushing waters. "Go with Jack. I'll check the last house." Her brother was crossing the street toward her. He was a lieutenantin the same fire company where Cole was a captain. Cole said his prematuregray hair was at least partially Jack's fault. Jack was a careful,safety-conscious firefighter but invariably led his men in a firefight fromthe front lines, especially when there was someone at risk. Jack washere, and Cole, so Company 81 must have been dispatched to thescene. "I didn't know firemen fought floods." Cole tugged straight the now sopping Red Cross jacket from beingbunched around her back. "It looks like we're going to learn how. TheCorps of Engineers guys are stretched thin. The bridge is ours to defend." She raised startled eyes to meet his. "Whose blacklist are you on?" Cole laughed. "I hope it only looks i