Charming the Caregiver

by Marianne Spitzer

  “Logan,” Kat said. “I can’t tell Pastor Theodore any of Ewa’s medical history. I’m still a professional; I've taken an oath. If I tell him anything, it would remain between him and me as my religious counselor, which won’t help either of you.”

  “I understand, but I can tell him what I know and suspect, and if he asks you any general questions, you can answer.”

  “All right, but I won’t divulge any personal medical knowledge I have.”

  Pastor Theodore answered Logan’s knock and invited him Logan and Kat into his parlor.

  “Please, have a seat. Would you care for some coffee?” Pastor Theodore asked.

  Both Logan and Kat declined, and Pastor Theodore asked what he could do for them.

  Logan explained the situation in detail. Although Kat remained silent, it was obvious she agreed with what Logan had said.

  Pastor Theodore nodded and said, “You know I cannot share anything that Missus Palbarch and I discussed.”

  “I understand, Pastor, but I wanted you to hear my side in case she returns for more counseling. Perhaps knowing the truth will help you help her,” Logan explained.

  “It will, but I need your permission to discuss what you’ve told me with Missus Palbarch if she returns to speak with me.”

  “Of course,” Logan exclaimed. “You can tell anyone you please. I’m not that child’s father, and I won’t marry Ewa. She must understand that and perhaps travel to St. Louis to be with her sister. She shouldn’t be alone after having lost Boris and dealing with childbirth.”

  Pastor Theodore steepled his fingers and stared out the window for a moment. “From what you’ve told me, Missus Palbarch has only told the ladies that you left her in San Francisco. She hasn’t mentioned a child?”

  “Not that I’m aware of,” Logan offered, “but I’m sure that will be next, especially when she's buying books about babies at our bookstore like she did this morning.”

  Kat spoke for the first time. “I was in the bookstore this morning. Ewa purchased Little Women by Louisa May Alcott but no books on child-rearing.”

  Logan leaned forward. He propped his elbows on his knees, held his head in his hands, and mumbled, “The deception grows deeper.”

  “If you are adamant that any child Missus Palbarch may be carrying is not yours, and you have absolutely no intention of marrying her for any reason, then it is in both of your best interests to let her know of your decision,” Pastor Theodore advised.

  Logan looked up and said, “She knows. I have told her several times.”

  “I believe the young woman needs help. Offer to assist her in her dilemma. Tell her you will help, but you will not marry her. Don’t be cruel, and don’t do anything to try to break her spirit; her emotions are quite fragile now. Perhaps Missus Lorbiecki can help guide her to a wiser decision,” Pastor Theodore continued. “Find out the real reason she insists on marrying you. Is she frightened? Lonely? In need of money? Afraid of what people might say? Or is there some other reason? The Lord asks us to help widows; do what you can.”

  Logan stood to shake Pastor Theodore’s hand. “Thank you. I’ll try to do what I can.”

  Pastor Theodore nodded. “Remember: my door is always open if you need help.”

  Logan and Kat thanked the pastor for his time and left the parsonage.

  Chapter 15

  Ewa left the Hearth and Home hoping to find someone—anyone—to speak to about her situation. Logan was more adamant than ever that he would never marry her, insisting he would leave town before marrying her. He had offered to help her in any way he could, short of standing before a preacher.

  It had been nearly a week since she had spoken to the kind nurse she'd met at the hospital. After services on Sunday, the nurse had told her to stop by the hospital if she ever needed help. Would the nurse be her way to convince Logan to marry her?

  Ewa nodded and headed for the hospital. If she could convince the nurse to help her, perhaps others in town would be more responsive. Her threat against Logan’s sister-in-law hadn't seemed to hold much weight, and Ewa needed a new plan.

  She reached the hospital doors, secure in her plan to play the scorned woman. She walked through the front door, expecting to see the kind nurse—whom she recalled was named Katerina—but was surprised to find a young, raven-haired nurse there instead.

  “Excuse me,” Ewa said as she approached the desk, “I was looking for the nurse with blonde hair. I think her name is Katerina.”

  Angel smiled and said, “Yes, it is. And I think she’s still here. Please, have a seat, and I’ll see if she’s left for home yet.”

  Ewa sat. A few minutes later, Kat approached from a long hallway, dressed in regular clothes and not her uniform.

  “Good evening, Missus Palbarch. You caught me before I left. Is there something I can do for you?” Kat inquired.

  Ewa nodded. “I need someone to talk to, please.”

  “Certainly,” Kat said. “We have a pleasant garden out back. We can sit, enjoy the fresh air, and talk.”

  Ewa followed Kat through the hospital, out the back door, and sat next to her on a brown garden bench.

  “You know my situation,” Ewa said. “I need help to get the father of my child to marry me.”

  Kat nodded and said, “Before we talk, there are a few things you should know. First, I’m a nurse, and as such, I will do whatever I can to help you with any physical or emotional problems. Second, I’m a Christian, and I will not judge you. And third, I’m also a widow that was faced with raising a child alone; however, I’m personally involved and understand what you’re trying to do. Logan has told me he loves me, and if he asks me to marry him, I’ll say yes.”

  Ewa’s eyes flashed with anger. “If you do, your reputation will be in tatters. People in town will believe that you stole his heart from his child and me.”

  “I know the truth. We will move away and start our lives elsewhere if needs be. Logan has already told me he would rather leave town before he marries you.”

  Ewa burst into tears and buried her face in her hands. When she had her sobs under control, she took a deep breath and looked at Kat.

  “Please, don’t hate me. I’m afraid of having this child alone. After Boris died, many men tried to force me to marry them or live with them. Most people knew that Boris had often won at poker, and they believed he had a stash of hidden money. They thought they could take it from me. I was truly afraid for my life, so I left San Francisco and came here. I didn’t know what else to do. I thought if Logan married me, I would be safe from other men,” Ewa confessed.

  “I understand. I came to Creede for similar reasons. My life was not in danger, but I was tired of men trying to force me to do what they wanted. I needed to live my own life.”

  Ewa wiped her tears and asked, “What can I do?”

  “Do you have family somewhere?”

  Ewa nodded. “My parents are dead, but my sister lives in St. Louis. She married a bank clerk after our mother passed. I thought I couldn’t bear to live such a boring life and left for San Francisco.”

  “Would she welcome you back?” Kat asked.

  “Yes, I’m sure she would. She begged me not to leave and has written to me, asking me to come home. She has a child, now, and wishes I was there with them, but I’m embarrassed by my situation,” Ewa explained.

  Kat smiled and said, “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You were married and widowed. You are not a wanton woman. You have enough money to start a life for yourself and your child, I understand.”

  Ewa nodded.

  “You can go home to St. Louis with your head held high. You’re not asking for charity, just for emotional support during your pregnancy. You can stay here, in Creede, but people might talk. You need a quiet life to ensure you have a healthy child,” Kat suggested. “If you need help, I can do that.”

  “Why would you help me after what I've tried to do? You should hate me,” Ewa said.

  “Hate is wrong. I beli
eve God put us on this earth to help one another. Have you considered speaking to Pastor Theodore and possibly sending a telegram to your sister? I think both could help you more than I could, but I am here if you need someone.”

  Ewa stood, brushed down the fabric of her dark brown skirt, and nodded. “I think that’s what I will do. Pastor Theodore said his door is always open if I need to speak to him, and I’m sure my sister will be happy to hear from me.

  "Can you forgive me for what I've tried to do to you? I knew better. My father was a minister, and he taught us to be good, but I was so afraid.”

  “That, I can understand,” Kat confided. “I was terrified when I was alone and found out I was having a child. My father had passed a short time after my husband had died, and I felt lost. Fear can force us or keep us from doing the best for ourselves. Trust in God and pray. He will see you through.”

  Ewa blew out a deep breath. “Thank you for listening. I should go now so you can get home to your little girl.”

  “I’ll walk back through the hospital with you. I’ll be here tomorrow, if you need to talk again,” Kat offered.

  “Thank you, but I think I’ll talk to Pastor Theodore and send a telegram to my sister. I never should have left St. Louis. The idea of going back to a secure life is appealing,” Ewa said before leaving the hospital.

  Kat watched Ewa walk back to town and smiled. Ewa wasn’t a monster out to ruin people’s lives—she was a frightened young woman, facing a difficult situation. Knowing she had a sister that cared for her would make Ewa’s life easier, and Kat was pleased. Her prayers for a calm ending to a possibly disastrous outcome had been answered.

  Now, it was time to walk to Delia’s to get Susanna. She fought the urge to find Logan, but the quiet construction area told her the men had left for supper. She’d stop at the library to leave a message with Meg to give to Leer. Logann would get the message in the morning and know that she and Ewa had spoken.

  “You did a kind thing,” Miss Josephine’s soft voice floated toward Kat.

  Kat turned and smiled, no longer concerned about Miss Josephine's showing up, unannounced, at any time.

  “I did what I felt was right in my heart,” Kat answered.

  “Yes, but not everyone would have been as kind.”

  Kat laughed. “You know, I’m not sure if it was my upbringing or my training as a nurse, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Ewa. We all need a friend to talk to and help us if they’re able.”

  “I believe it is a bit of both. You have a gentle soul which will serve you well in life as a mother, wife, and nurse,” Miss Josephine said.

  “I hope it will, but I'm still a bit worried about Ewa. Her life will be more difficult than mine.”

  Miss Josephine shook her head. “No, it won’t. She has family and friends back in St. Louis to help her and care for her. She will do well. Do not fret.”

  “Do you know that, or are you just trying to ease my mind?” Kat scrunched her eyebrows as she looked at Miss Josephine.

  “If you pray for her, your prayers will be answered.”

  “I believe that, but she could end up alone,” Kat worried.

  “She won’t be alone. None of us are alone. The Lord guides all of us,” Miss Josephine said to comfort Kat.

  “The more I see you and the more you speak, I’m certain you must be my guardian angel,” Kat confided.

  Miss Josephine smiled and said, “Remember what it says in Hebrews: 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby, some have entertained angels unawares.'”

  Kat pondered this as Miss Josephine strolled down the street. She expected her to disappear at any moment, but Miss Josephine continued into town and entered one of the shops instead.

  Chapter 16

  Logan pulled the rope hoisting the last of the boards for the outside wall of the hospital’s second story. He saw Leer come around the side of the hospital. Logan nodded at Leer, but he continued until the last of the boards were safe on the second floor.

  “Good morning,” Logan said, pulling the leather gloves from his hands.

  “Good morning. I have a meeting this morning with Wes and the mayor, but I wanted to give you this first. Meg brought it home last night. Kat stopped by the library after picking up Susanna from Delia’s, and she dropped the note off for you. She asked if I could give it to you this morning.”

  Logan’s face paled. “Did you read it? What does it say? She’s telling me never to speak to her again, isn’t she? I can’t read it.”

  Leer cocked an eyebrow at his brother and slowly shook his head. “No, I didn’t read it—the note is for you, and you have to read it. One way or another, you need to know what she wrote.”

  Logan refused. “Nope. Not gonna read it.”

  Leer thrust the note at his brother. “Don’t be a coward. It might be good news.”

  Logan took the note, read it, and let out a loud whoop. “Listen to this: Ewa spoke to Kat yesterday, and between them, they decided Ewa going to live with her sister was the best thing for her and her child.”

  “That is good news for all concerned. Now, you'd better get back to work. I’ll talk to you later.”

  Logan grinned at Leer and said, “In a few minutes. First, I have to see Kat and invite her and Susanna to supper this evening.” Logan took off, running toward the front of the hospital. He stopped only long enough to grab a handful of wildflowers, growing in the field alongside the building.

  Logan pulled the hospital door open and went into the lobby to find Kat busy writing something. He cleared his throat. “Good morning, Nurse Lorbiecki.”

  Kat returned his greeting.

  Logan removed his hat and set the flowers down on the desk in front of Kat. “I received your kind note and wondered if I might have the pleasure of escorting you and your beautiful daughter to supper this evening.”

  When he saw the sparkle in Kat’s eyes and the slight smile on her lips, he knew she was trying to find a way to tease him by refusing his offer. “Hmm," she said, "I’m not sure if I can fit supper into my busy schedule, Mister O’Leary. Then, of course, I must discuss it with Susanna.”

  A broad smile crossed his face, and he bowed. “I believe the lovely Miss Susanna would love to join us. If they don’t have fried chicken on the menu for her, I’m sure we can feed her as many sugar cookies as she would like.”

  Kat giggled. “Now you're just acting silly.”

  “Silly, my lady? No, it’s not silliness—it’s charm. A knight must always be charming.” Logan tried his best to hide his smile.

  “It wouldn't be fair to waste all that charm…we will have supper with you,” Kat said.

  “I’ll pick you up in the wagon after your shift, and then we can get Susanna,” Logan said before rushing out to return to work.

  Logan whispered a heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving for his answered prayers on his way back to the building site. Ewa would be safe with her family around her, and he wouldn’t have to leave Creede, Kat, and Susanna. In that moment, he realized that although he hadn’t known Kat all that long, he needed her and Susanna in his life. He already knew he loved her.

  He'd ask her to marry him at supper.

  Logan held the chair out for Kat and lifted Susanna into hers.

  “I want fried chicken, please,” Susanna said.

  Logan laughed. “If they have fried chicken tonight, I’m sure your mama will order it for you.”

  The waitress approached and asked for their order, assuring an excited Susanna that they did, indeed, have fried chicken. After the waitress left, Logan and Kat discussed her conversation with Ewa.

  “I think staying with her sister will be best for Ewa,” Kat explained. “I faced the same problem, and while my brother wasn’t pleased having a child in the house, I needed another woman to be close to, and my sister-in-law became my best friend.”

  Logan nodded., “Ewa told me she has enough money to live comfortably while waiting for the child to arrive and for both to
have a home. Boris might have been a bully, but he was a gambler and did well, so she won’t end up living in squalor.”

  “I asked her about that and was assured she’d be all right. Her sister has asked her to come back to St. Louis several times already.”

  Logan took a sip of coffee and stared at Kat. “Now that Ewa has made the decision to move to St. Louis, I’m not leaving Creede. This might not be the perfect place, but I need to say it now: Katerina Lorbiecki, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  “Married?” Kat stammered. “You want to get married?”

  Susanna’s eyes flew wide open. “Mama, if you marry Sir Logan, will he be my papa?”

  Kat could only look at her daughter and nod.

  Susanna launched off her chair and flew into Logan’s arms, exclaiming loudly, “Say yes, Mama. I want a papa. Please, Mama, can we marry Sir Logan?” Susanna’s outburst brought smiles to the customers watching, and the dining room fell silent while they waited for Kat to answer.

  Kat’s face turned crimson when she realized how many people were waiting for her to answer. She looked into Logan’s eyes and said, “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

  “We’re getting married!” Susanna said, and many of the customers applauded.

  Kat laughed at her daughter’s antics. “Come sit back down. Your supper will be here soon.”

  “Yes, Mama,” Susanna answered as she climbed back onto her chair.

  The three enjoyed their supper and discussed their future. As the waitress was bringing their dessert, Ewa came into the dining room, and Kat waved her over to their table.

  “Would you care to join us?” Kat asked. “We’ve had supper, but we’re going to enjoy dessert.”

  “Thank you,” Ewa said. “I had supper, but I saw you sitting here and wanted to tell you my news.”