Charming the Caregiver

by Marianne Spitzer

  Kat yawned and decided to lay next to Susanna and rest for just a moment. An hour later, Susanna was gently shaking her shoulder. “Mama, wake up. I’m hungry.”

  She opened her eyes to see her daughter’s face less than an inch from hers, and she smiled. “I’m hungry, too,” Kat said, “but first we’re going to take a bath and clean off all this travel dust. We don’t want to have supper in the same clothes we wore on the train.”

  Susanna jumped off the bed. Kat laughed at her childish exuberance.

  They bathed and washed their hair even though Susanna grumbled that her hair wasn’t dirty. When they were done, Kat and Susanna walked down to the dining room to see Angel sitting at a table near the windows.

  Kat held Susanna’s hand as they walked up to the table and asked, “Do you mind if we join you?”

  “Not at all,” Angel said. “I’m happy to see a familiar face.”

  Susanna climbed up onto her chair and said, “Miss Angel, you need to find a friend.”

  Angel smiled and asked, “Aren’t you and your mama my friends?”

  “Yes, but if you had a special friend like I do you’d never be alone,” Susanna explained as she did her best to smooth her dress and get comfortable in the large wooden chair.

  “You have a special friend?”

  “We can’t see her friend,” Kat answered.

  “Oh, I see,” Angel said. “Has she been your friend for very long?”

  “Oh, no,” Susanna answered. “She’s only been my friend since we left Aunt Caroline and Uncle Horace’s house. I saw her standing in the yard when Mama and I left in the carriage.”

  Angel nodded and whispered to Kat, “Children will often make up friends when they are frightened or nervous about a new place to live or losing a loved one.”

  “I know, but from what Susanna has said, she wasn’t happy staying with my brother and his wife while I worked. I thought moving would make us both happy. I am a bit worried about her.”

  “I wouldn’t be,” Angel assured Kat. “Once she meets a few new friends here, she’ll forget about her invisible one.”

  “I do hope you’re right. Delia is going to pick Susanna and me up in the morning to see our cabin. I’m excited to see what life in a cabin will be like. We only had houses back home in the city. I’ve seen cabins when I lived on my parent’s farm, but I’ve never been inside one.”

  Angel shrugged. “I suppose it won’t be much different than a small house.”

  “It’s not the cabin itself, but the lack of comforts. Delia said it has a pump in the kitchen, so I don’t have to haul water in, but I’m used to hot water, not to mention that we have a privy instead of indoor plumbing.”

  Angel frowned. “I hope the hospital has proper plumbing. Do you suppose they have indoor plumbing? I hate to think I will need to use a privy when working or living in the nurse’s quarters, especially in the winter.”

  “I suppose we’ll find out tomorrow afternoon when we tour the new hospital. Would you like to come with us in the morning to see the cabin and how wild our life might be?” Kat laughed.

  “No, thank you. I want to check out the shops tomorrow morning and see a bit of my new hometown. I’ll see you at the hospital. Do you know when we’ll start working?” Angel asked.

  Kat bit her lip and answered, “I’m not sure, but Delia said there would be an open house after church on Sunday so people will know where to come and meet us. Once people know the hospital is functional and it has a doctor and nurses, I’m sure they will come for help, and we’ll probably start working immediately.”

  The waitress interrupted them, and Susanna took over the conversation, talking non-stop about whether she wanted apple or cherry pie for dessert.

  Miss Josephine—who was sitting at a small table in the back of the dining room, drinking tea—just smiled.

  Chapter 5

  The following morning after breakfast, Kat and Susanna walked out into the bright sunshine to wait for Delia. A few minutes passed before Delia pulled up in a shiny new black buggy. Delia smiled and said, “Climb in, and I’ll drive you to your cabin.”

  Kat lifted Susanna into the buggy and climbed in beside her. “Good morning. You have a beautiful buggy,” Susanna said.

  “Thank you. Walking around Creede isn’t a problem, but Wes wants to spoil me. I came from New York and a wealthy family. Wes worries I might miss the little luxuries I used to enjoy. I truly prefer the simpler life we have here, but I have to admit, I love when he spoils me.”

  Kat smiled a sad smile and said, “My husband did the same. He would bring me flowers from the fields or candy from town, but he died less than two months after we married. I have to admit; I did enjoy the surprises.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I knew you were a widow, but I had no idea you had lost your husband so soon after you had married,” Delia answered.

  “It was hard,” Kat admitted, “but he left me with Susanna, and even though I was sad, I felt blessed. It was a difficult time, but Susanna has changed my life and brought me a lot of happiness.”

  “She’s an adorable child.”

  “Thank you.”

  As they traveled down the main street, Kat noticed two new buildings at the far end of town. “Is one of those buildings the hospital?” Kat asked.

  “Yes.” Delia explained, “The larger building is the new library, and the smaller building is the first section of the hospital to be completed. It will be larger than the library when it’s done. From what Wes has told me, there is a lobby area, two large patient wards—one for men and one for women, a surgical suite, and the nurses’ quarters on the first floor. I believe there is also an office and sleeping area for the doctor. The upper floor will have smaller wards and a few private rooms.”

  They continued down the road and stopped at a small cabin less than a block from the hospital. Delia said, “Wes and I thought this would be the best place for you and Susanna. It’s small but close to the hospital. Finding places to live here can be difficult, especially when you have a child. I knew you wouldn’t want to stay at the hotel indefinitely. I can only imagine that Susanna would get very bored without anywhere to play.”

  “It was very kind of you to find this cabin for us,” Kat said. “I worried about where we would stay. Doctor Ash told us arrangements had been made for us to reside in the hospital quarters, but I need a place to live where I can have Susanna with me.”

  The three of them stepped down from the carriage, and Delia handed Kat a key. “I hope you like it. As I said, it isn’t large, but it is homey and private, and Susanna can giggle and play without disturbing anyone who might be sleeping in the hotel room next to you.”

  “I’m sure we’ll love it. It’s the first home we’ll share just the two of us.”

  Kat followed Susanna, who was skipping, to the front door. “Hurry, Mama. I want to see where I’m going to sleep.”

  Kat and Delia laughed. “We’re coming, Susanna.”

  Kat unlocked the door and stepped into the cabin. Susanna ran in front of her and disappeared into the bedroom. The main room had a fireplace and was furnished with a sofa, chair, and tables. The front window was adorned with beautiful drapes.

  “Who lived here before?” Kat asked. “They furnished it well.”

  Delia said, “When Wes found the cabin, it was empty. My friend, Meg, and I took the liberty of furnishing and decorating a bit so the cabin would be comfortable. You can add whatever you want or need.”

  Kat discovered a well-supplied kitchen. “This was too kind of you,” she said. “You bought food—please, tell me what you spent. I have money to set up a household.”

  “It wasn’t much, and you will need to buy more food. Wes said the furnishings will stay with the cabin and were a good investment. If you didn’t have Susanna, you would be living in the nurses’ quarters. You shouldn’t be expected to live somewhere unsafe or rundown because you have a child.”

  Kat hugged Delia and thanked her agai
n.

  Susanna ran out of the bedroom and exclaimed, “Mama, the beds are soft, and there are two of them—one for you and one for me. Miss Josephine will have to sleep on the sofa.”

  Before Kat could respond, Susanna ran to the kitchen window and said, “Mama, look—there’s a garden.”

  Kat looked at Delia, who said, “I didn’t plant one. I doubt anything survived the winter. I’m sure she’s admiring weeds. Let’s look.” She opened the back door, and Susanna ran out to take a closer look at the garden of weeds and a few wildflowers. Kat was surprised to find a red-haired man in the yard, chopping wood.

  Delia said, “Kat, I’d like you to meet Logan O’Leary. His brother is head of construction on the library and hospital building projects. Logan works for him. He volunteered to chop enough wood to keep your cooking stove supplied.”

  The handsome young man smiled.

  Delia continued, “Logan, I’d like you to meet Katerina Lorbiecki and her daughter, Susanna. Katerina is one of our new nurses.”

  Logan pulled the hat from his head and said, “Pleased to meet you, ma’am.”

  Kat returned his greeting, saying, “Pleased to meet you, too, Mister O’Leary.”

  “You can call me Logan, ma’am. Everyone does,” Logan said. He flashed a most charming smile.

  “I don’t believe that would be proper, Mister O’Leary,” Kat said.

  Delia explained, “We are more relaxed here in Creede. Most people are on a first name basis.”

  Kat nodded and smiled at Logan as Susanna rushed past her, holding out her hand, “Hello, Mister Logan. I’m Susanna.”

  Logan squatted to look Susanna in the eyes and shook her small hand. “I’m very pleased to meet you, too, Miss Susanna.”

  Susanna giggled and skipped off to pick more wildflowers.

  Kat looked at the garden. “You’re right, Delia—this garden is full of weeds.”

  Logan joined them and said, “When I’m finished chopping wood, I’d be happy to dig the weeds up and turn the soil to make it easier for you to plant your garden.”

  Kat looked at Logan, losing herself in his brown eyes for a moment. “Thank you. I’m not sure what grows well here, but it would be nice to grow something. Susanna loves flowers, and I think she’d love to plant a few on her own.”

  Logan nodded. “I’ll get to it as soon as I finish the wood. I’ve filled the wood box in the kitchen, and I’ll stack the rest of it in the small shed to help keep it dry.”

  “Thank you, Logan,” Kat said. “Come along, Susanna—we need to buy some food in town.”

  Susanna said, “Bye, Mister Logan.” She waved at Miss Josephine and followed her mother into the cabin.

  Delia drove the carriage to Crowther’s Dry Goods store and said, “You’ll like the Crowther family. They’re friendly and helpful. Usually, one of their daughters is working at the store.”

  Kat stepped down from the carriage. Before she entered the store, she told Susanna, “I want you to be on your best behavior.”

  “Yes, Mama.”

  Delia introduced Kat to Penny Crowther, who was working behind the counter. While Kat and Delia chatted and picked up the things Kat needed at the cabin, Susanna stood quietly near the counter, staring at the penny candy.

  Penny walked over to Kat and asked, “Would you mind if I gave your little girl a peppermint stick? She is so sweet, just standing there quietly, staring at the candy.”

  Kat turned and smiled at Susanna. “Yes, that would be all right. Thank you. She is behaving well.”

  Penny walked back behind the counter and asked Susanna, “Would you like a peppermint stick?”

  Susanna looked at Kat, and Kat nodded her approval. “Yes, please.”

  Kat watched as Penny handed Susanna a peppermint stick wrapped in a small piece of paper to help keep her from getting too sticky.

  “Thank you,” Susanna said, smiling broadly at Penny. “I love peppermint.”

  “I love peppermint, too. How old are you, Susanna?” Penny asked.

  “I’m just four, and Mama is twenty-five.”

  Penny giggled at the sweet little girl.

  Kat went over to Susanna and said, “I heard that, young lady. What did I tell you about telling people how old I am?”

  “I’m sorry, Mama. I only want people to know you’re not an old lady.”

  Penny covered her mouth and laughed. “I’m sorry, but she’s so adorable.”

  “And honest,” Kat replied. “Too honest, but I truly wouldn’t want her to be any other way. If she were, she wouldn’t be my Susanna.

  “Do you have a bulletin board where I could place an ad for someone willing to watch Susanna when I work, or would it be better to ask at church on Sunday?”

  Delia answered before Penny had the chance. “I’d love to watch Susanna. I know today is hectic, but why don’t you come for tea tomorrow, and we can talk about it?”

  “You have done so much for me already. I don’t want to become a burden,” Kat replied.

  “Nonsense. I would enjoy it,” Delia insisted.

  Miss Josephine, who had been watching through the store’s window, smiled.

  Chapter 6

  “Come on, sweetie, we have to leave,” Kat called to Susanna. “We’re going to visit Missus Satterfield and talk about her watching you while I work. Be sure to be on your best behavior. We don’t want her to say no.”

  Susanna bounded out of her room. “I’ll be good, Mama. If I’m not, I don’t want her to be mean to me the way Uncle Horace was.”

  Susanna stood there, staring up at Kat with fear written across her small face. Kat lifted her in her arms and said, “I promise no one will be mean to you the way Uncle Horace was. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what he did.”

  “It’s all right, Mama. He’s far away now.”

  “Yes, he is. Are you ready to leave?”

  Susanna bobbed her head. Kat set her back down, took her hand, and walked with her to Delia’s house.

  Delia met them on her front porch. “Good afternoon, Kat and Susanna,” she said. “I’m pleased you came to tea. I have some freshly baked sugar cookies, if either of you likes them.”

  “I do! I do!” Susanna squealed as she jumped up and down.

  “Susanna,” Kat scolded.

  “Yes, Mama, I forgot. Hello Missus Satterfield. I love sugar cookies. Thank you.”

  Delia smiled, held the front door open, and invited them inside.

  “She’s very polite,” Delia said as Kat walked past her.

  “Yes, she can be when she remembers,” Kat answered.

  Delia laughed. “Isn’t every child that way? I know my siblings are. Please, have a seat, and I’ll bring some tea and cookies.”

  Kat and Delia spent about thirty minutes talking about the town of Creede and the new hospital while Susanna enjoyed her cookies and milk, but time passes slowly for a child trying her best to behave and sit still.

  Kat could tell Susanna was getting bored after having her milk and cookies. When she heard Susanna’s third sigh, Kat asked Delia if she’d mind if Susanna played in the backyard for a while.

  “Not at all,” Delia answered. “I have a lovely flower garden and a bench. The fresh air will do her good, and she won’t feel quite so bored listening to all the grown lady talk.”

  Susanna jumped to her feet. “Yes, please. I can take my doll and sit on the bench and look at the pretty flowers.”

  “All right,” Kat said, “but don’t wander off. Stay where I can see you, and don’t talk to any strangers.”

  “I won’t, Mama, I promise,” Susanna said as she bounded out the door.

  Delia and Kat discussed the new hospital and how well Doctor Ashworthy had been received in town. Kat explained why she decided to leave her job to come to Creede and how Doctor Ashworthy seemed to be an honorable man compared to the doctor for which she’d previously worked.

  “My, that would make me want to quit, too. That doctor had no right to expect anything
from you in order for you to succeed in your job,” Delia offered.

  “I know, but doctors have a great deal of influence at the hospital,” Kat said, frowning. “Hopefully, things will be different here.”

  “If they aren’t, I know the town will not stand for that type of treatment and find another doctor,” Delia assured Kat.

  Kat set her teacup on the table and glanced out the window.

  “I don’t see Susanna out there. I should check on her. She likes to wander around, looking for adventures,” she said to Delia.

  Delia followed Kat out of the house, but they didn’t see Susanna anywhere.

  “Susanna,” Kat called, “where are you? I told you to stay by the flower bed and play.”

  Susanna’s muffled voice answered, “I’m in here, Mama.”

  “I think she’s in the stable,” Delia said as she walked to the small stable behind the house and pulled the door open.

  Delia bit back a smile and Kat’s eyes widened in shock when they saw Susanna lying across the back of Delia’s brown mare.

  “Hi, Mama,” Susanna said. “I think I’m stuck.”

  “How in the world…” Kat stammered.

  “I heard the horses, Mama. The black ones are too big, but this pretty brown one leaned her head down so I could pet her nose. I wanted to hug her neck, so I climbed the rails, and when I was on top, I leaned forward to hug her neck and fell. Don’t worry, Mama, I’m all right. She caught me, but I can’t get down.”

  Kat was frozen in place, but Delia said, “I can get her down. My horse is very gentle. She won’t hurt Susanna.”

  Both women turned when they heard Logan’s voice. “Hello, Missus Delia, are you in here?”

  “Yes, I am.”

  Logan walked in and said, “Wes wanted me to tell you not to bring his lunch today. He has a meeting in town.”

  “Thank you.”

  Logan noticed Susanna on the horse and walked up to the stall. “What are you doing, Miss Susanna?”

  “I wanted to hug the horse’s neck, and I fell off the top rail. I’m stuck,” Susanna answered, a broad smile on her face.