She huffed. “If you question my authority one more time, I’ll summon the sheriff. Is that clear?”
He really couldn’t do anything, especially with her in charge. He glanced at the other men in the ward. All of them looked his way with wide, panicked eyes.
“Take your hand off me. Now.”
He did as she asked, even if he didn’t want to. Indeed, he was a prisoner in this ward.
The ointment touched his burn and stung. When Doctor Lyman first started administering medicine to Wyatt’s face, it was his burns that hurt. This time, even the areas that were not burned stung terribly. Closing his eyes, he took her advice and gritted his teeth, but the pain only increased.
“Stop that!”
The sound of Jessica’s upset voice made him open his eyes. Excitement jumped inside him, and he prayed she was here to save him.
Jessica grabbed the other nurse’s wrist and yanked it away from his face. Jessica took a wet cloth and dabbed it on his face, where the older nurse had started to coat.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Nurse Twitchell stood up so fast it toppled her chair over.
The older woman’s glare could cut glass as she stared at Jessica. Thankfully, Jessica didn’t cower. His angel was so small compared to the stout older woman, but he was certain Jessica could hold her own.
“I’m stopping you from touching this patient... that’s what I’m doing.” Jessica lifted her chin in defiance. “Doctor Lyman wants Wyatt’s face to breathe the air since he is finally healing, and if you have any qualms about that, you’ll have to take it up with the doctor.”
“Listen here, Nurse Simone,” Nurse Twitchell snarled, “I’m the head nurse, not you. I’m the one who makes these decisions, not you. And if you can’t abide by the hospital’s rules, then perhaps you need to find somewhere else to work.”
Squaring her shoulders, Jessica slowly stepped in front of the other woman, keeping the glare on her face. “Actually, Nurse Twitchell, you are not the one who makes the decisions in regards to the patients’ welfare. Just because you are head nurse does not make you the head of the hospital. The doctors will always be in charge, and we – as nurses – will follow their guidance and do as they request because that is exactly what nurses do. We, as nurses, do not have the right to do whatever we please. Instead, we do what is right for the patients and the doctors.”
Wyatt’s heart swelled. If he could applaud, he would. As he glanced at the other men in the room, he could tell they were impressed with Jessica, as well.
The older woman’s face wrinkled more from her angry expression, and her face grew redder. Wyatt was sure her head would explode at any moment. That wouldn’t be a pretty sight.
“You will not get away with this.” Nurse Twitchell’s grating voice was low and threatening. “I promise you that I’ll have your nursing certificate taken away so fast it’ll make you dizzy.”
Jessica sighed, shaking her head. “You can try, but I’m sure your certificate will be taken away before mine will.”
Grumbling, Nurse Twitchell stuffed the ointment and bandages back in the medical bag and marched out of the room. The moment the door slammed closed, all the patients in the room cheered and applauded for Jessica. Her smile grew wide, and her cheeks turned pink. Gratitude showed on her expression as she looked at each one.
She turned and picked up the chair, placing it beside the bed and sitting. Her eyes twinkled when she looked at Wyatt, and his heart leaped. “You are wonderful.”
Slowly, she shook her head. “I was only doing what most good nurses would do – try to help their patients.”
He motioned his head toward the door. “Nurse Twitchell wouldn’t be considered in that group.”
“No, she wouldn’t. I don’t even know why she still nurses when it’s clear she doesn’t enjoy it.”
He took her hand and cradled it gently, staring into her eyes. How he wished he remembered her. She had such a kind heart and such caring eyes. “Jessica?” He kept his voice low, hoping that only she would hear him. “Would you think it’s too soon if I told you that I think I’m in love with you?”
Sighing, her smile trembled as her eyes became watery. “Have you remembered?”
“No, but I feel as if I should love you.”
She patted his hand. “I desperately want you to remember me. I want to know that you love me because of what we shared while growing up, instead of what I’ve helped you with as a nurse.”
Disappointment filled him, and he slowly pulled his hand away. “I’m sure a lot of patients fall in love with you.”
She chuckled. “Actually, this is the first hospital I’ve worked in. While attending school, we were given opportunities to help doctors out at the hospitals nearby, but we learned in groups. So, no... I’ve never had my patients fall in love with me, but I have heard that it happens.”
“Then, I pray that my memory will open soon because then you’ll believe me when I say I’m falling in love with you.”
The chime from the Grandfather clock in the hallway caught Wyatt’s attention for a moment as he listened as the clock struck five times. His heart sank. “Your shift is over.”
“Yes, unfortunately.”
“I don’t trust Nurse Twitchell.”
“Neither do I.” She frowned. “But before I leave, I’ll check with Doctor Lyman and let him know what happened earlier. He’ll keep an eye on you.” She stood. “But in the meantime, do not let that nurse give you anything for your burns.”
He shook his head. “Your creams and ointments are the only medicines I need... besides your company, that is.”
“I’ll be back tonight,” she whispered before turning and leaving the room.
He would now count the hours until he saw her again. Time couldn’t pass quickly enough.
* * * *
Jessica was out of sorts for the rest of the day. She couldn’t stop herself from worrying about Wyatt... about Nurse Twitchell... and especially, about Hugh. He had promised to find out what was going on with Nurse Twitchell and the unnamed man who was with her. When Jessica had caught Lana giving that ointment to Wyatt, her fear escalated. That woman would put her career in jeopardy just to punish Wyatt. But why? To the hospital, he was nothing but a John Doe. So, then why did Lana want to make sure Wyatt never remembered?
Without Jessica at the hospital, keeping an eye on him, would something terrible happen? Before she left her shift, she talked briefly with Hugh, and he promised to watch Wyatt. She prayed he would be able to.
Wyatt’s words of love filled her head, making her feel guiltier. When he’d first said them, she wanted to cry with happiness, but when he admitted to not remembering, she wanted to cry with frustration. She didn’t want John Doe to love her. She wanted Wyatt Ryker.
And then, there was Hugh.
She’d tried fighting his advances, but once he pulled her into his arms, she melted like butter on a scorching day in the middle of the desert. Shoot, all Hugh had to do was touch her, and she was falling all over herself as her mind swam in circles.
Lord knows she wanted to tell him to go away – that Wyatt was the one she wanted to love – but she was drawn to him like sinners to a church on judgment day. Although she didn’t feel like a sinner, she still carried the guilt on her shoulders. Why couldn’t she stop herself from falling into his arms and responding to his kisses?
Oh, heavens! Maybe she was a sinner. After all, she was leading two men to believe she had deep feelings for them, knowing that only one would win. At this moment, she wouldn’t have been able to pick which man made her happier, but the constant fluttering in her chest whenever Hugh was around had been an emotion she couldn’t remember having with Wyatt.
Perhaps the question she should ask herself was – who was the man who would make her the better person?
Sighing, she rubbed her forehead. No, that was definitely not what she should ask herself. It made her that much more confused.
She whipped her
hooded cape around her shoulders before gathering her healing herbs and creams. Just as before, she crept out of the boarding house and prayed nobody would notice her. Minutes before midnight, she entered the hospital the same way she’d done when she came to see Wyatt. However, voices echoed in the hallway. Inwardly, she groaned. What doctor or nurse could be working this late at night?
She tiptoed to the door and slowly opened it enough to hear the voices. They were still up the hallway, which meant she couldn’t go anywhere until they left. Since she was working her way to the deserter’s ward, she would pass them in the hall.
Jessica closed her eyes and leaned her head against the wall as she waited for the people in the hall to leave. The stress of the week had taken its toll on her, mainly since she stayed up late and woke up early to start her shift. Her day off was in two days. She’d make sure to sleep all day then. That would catch her up.
Suddenly, she heard Doctor Lyman’s name being called. Gasping, she snapped upright as her heartbeat hammered in panic. What was he doing here so late? She leaned closer to the door to hear the conversation better.
“I will move the prisoner tonight,” Hugh was saying. “He needs to be kept in a secure room. We have one upstairs that will work perfectly.”
Prisoner? Had the sheriff brought them an injured man after she’d left the hospital today?
“The quicker, the better. I don’t want Nurse Simone to ask questions... and you know she will.”
She gasped again, but this time she slapped a hand over her mouth because she hadn’t tried to be quiet. That voice! That was the same man who had talked to Nurse Twitchell earlier today. And now... Hugh was with him? Why would they talk about her?
“Indeed,” Hugh said. “Nurse Simone does ask questions, and we don’t need her knowing what happened to John Doe.”
Her heart plummeted, and the sudden drop nearly had her falling to the floor. What was Hugh saying? Hadn’t he been helping her all this time, and now... was he working with Nurse Twitchell and the unknown man?
Tears burned her eyes as anger rose inside her. She’d been a fool to enjoy his kisses and his touches. She’d been blinded by his charm, for, in reality, he’d been deceiving her all this time.
As much as she wanted to break down and cry, she had a man to save. The prisoner they were talking about was Wyatt, and she wouldn’t allow Hugh to take him. Besides, she’d been the one healing him – not the doctor!
She opened the door slowly and peeked outside. Hugh’s tall frame was easy to recognize down at the end of the hall, but he was blocking her view of the other man. But thankfully, they had their backs to her. If she were careful and quiet, she would be able to sneak up the hall and enter one of the other wards. It was pertinent that she cause some type of distraction away from the deserter’s ward.
Taking cautious steps, she moved out of the room and up the hall, away from Hugh and the other man. She entered the nearest ward and closed the door. Thankfully, this room also had a back door that led to another part of the hospital – which would take her to Wyatt.
Two men were patients in this room, but by their loud snores, she knew they wouldn’t be able to hear her. She quickly scanned the meager room, looking for something that would cause a commotion. Near one of the beds, she saw an empty bedpan. She picked it up and aimed it at the wall, knowing Hugh would be able to hear.
Using all her strength, she threw the bedpan. It hit the wall with a loud thud before falling to the floor in a loud clang. Quickly, before the patients could see her, she hurried out the back door and closed it. She heard voices of alarm, but she continued rushing toward the deserter’s ward.
She slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Sighing with relief that no doctors or nurses were inside this room, she lifted the hood of her cape to cover her head so that the other patients wouldn’t recognize her. As she hurried to Wyatt’s bed, she saw that he was already sitting up and looking around with wide eyes.
“Wyatt,” she said in a deeper voice, trying to disguise her voice. She grasped his hands. “We have to leave. Now!”
“What’s going on? I heard a commotion...”
“Yes, I know. But I need to get you out of here. Something has come up. Trust me.”
He peered into her face and nodded. She grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around him. She didn’t have time to find shoes for him, but if he were still the boy she remembered from yesteryear, he’d be able to run through the forest barefoot without flinching.
She stepped to the door and opened it, peeking outside. It was clear. She didn’t want to sigh too heavily yet, because until they were out of the hospital and a great distance away, Wyatt was still in danger. Then again, she might be, as well.
Wyatt’s hand grasped onto hers as she led the way. Just before reaching the room that would lead them out of the building, she heard Hugh’s voice again, followed by fast footsteps.
Grumbling under her breath, she pushed Wyatt into the supply room and closed the door. This room held no window, which made the room pitch black.
“What’s going on?” Wyatt asked.
“I’m breaking you out of here,” she whispered. “For some reason, people are trying to hurt you.”
“Why?” He kept his voice quiet.
“I don’t know.” Her chest clenched with the pain of betrayal as tears stung her eyes again. Why had Hugh done this to her? Had he purposely tried to charm her just to get her away from Wyatt? After all, he didn’t start showing interest in her until she had admitted to knowing John Doe’s identity.
Heavens, why had she allowed her heart to soften around the very handsome doctor, especially when all she’d wanted was to help Wyatt remember his life... to remember her and what they had shared? The doctor had been a distraction, but now she knew her heart would always belong to Wyatt.
The footsteps and voices grew louder. Jessica stood stiff, praying that they wouldn’t think to check the supply closet. But when the noises passed and moved down the hallway, she felt they were safe. She opened the door and peeked outside again.
“Let’s go.” She grasped Wyatt’s hand again and pulled him out.
This time, they had no problems following the path she always took when coming in after hours. Once they made it out of the hospital, they ran as fast as they could. She would take Wyatt to her room at the boarding house. That was the only place she knew would be safe.
For now, anyway.
EIGHT
Wyatt’s head pounded, and his body was weak with exhaustion. Closing his eyes, he sat on the edge of Jessica’s bed as he rubbed his temples. Slowly, the room stopped spinning, but it was his mind that created the havoc inside him. Escaping the hospital seemed very familiar. Why did he think he’d done that before?
Flashes of memory were returning, but they made no sense. Wyatt had been running from someone. All around him were trees and bushes. Darkness was thick, but in spots during his getaway, the moon was full enough to light his way. Just like tonight when he held Jessica’s hand and followed.
They had reached the building where she lived, and she helped him through the opened window. That didn’t seem familiar, thankfully. But him running for his life, out of breath and very weak, were the things he knew he’d done before.
“Are you all right?” she asked, taking off her cloak before kneeling in front of him. She placed her hands on his knees.
He opened his eyes to the lovely vision in front of him.
“I... think I remember something.”
She gasped, and her eyes widened. “What did you remember?”
“Running through a forest at night.”
Her excited smile gave him hope. He took hold of her hands, gently rubbing the pads of his thumbs across her knuckles. “But will you tell me why you felt the need to break me out of the hospital?”
The happiness on her expression waned, and her eyes filled with tears. Wyatt’s heart wrenched. Whatever happened had affected her deeply, and he felt her pain.
“Nurse Twitchell and two other men wanted to lock you away. They have plans, and even though I don’t know what they are, they aren’t good. I couldn’t allow them to hurt you.” Her voice broke as a tear slid down her cheek.
He reached up and wiped away the tear and then cupped her face in his hands. “I don’t know why I deserved to have such an angel by my side, helping me through my fuzzy memory, but I thank God every day that you care enough to keep me safe.”
More tears fell, wetting her cheeks more. “Oh, Wyatt. I don’t know what else to do. They think of you as a prisoner. I know deep in my heart that you’re not.” She took a ragged breath. “The Wyatt I remember growing up with would have never deserted the war. He was a good and honorable man.”
Now, more than ever, he wanted to be that man. He wanted her to always look at him as if he was someone she could be proud to know.
“It’s my hope,” he said with his heart full of emotion, “that I will remember. Now that I’ve had images of me running through the forest, feeling panicked, I think I’ll start remembering more.” He lifted her hands to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. “Just don’t give up on me. With your help, I’ll have my memory back in no time.”
She inhaled and released it slowly. “Then, I shall continue to help.”
His gaze dropped to her mouth. Would she let him kiss her? He’d never felt closer to her than he did right now. Well, at least what he could remember. But as he concentrated on her movements and especially any indication that she didn’t want his kiss, he couldn’t see any.
Swallowing hard, he gained the courage to take the first step and leaned toward her. She didn’t pull away. That was a good sign.
Just as he pressed his mouth against hers, she sighed. His heartbeat quickened. He kept the kiss sweet and slow. Perhaps she wanted more, but he didn’t want to scare her, either. Yet, as she gradually responded, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, pulling her closer. Just as her palms rested on his chest, she gasped and jumped back.
A Nurse for Wyatt Page 6