“You really do have nice friends,” Zane whispered as he and Billie made their way to the front door.
Billie turned the lock as quietly as she could and eased the door open. Zane looked both ways before he stepped outside. Assured they were alone, he pulled Billie out on the front porch. His arms encircled her as he tantalized her lips with an urgent, intense kiss. When he finally pulled away and tossed her a rascally grin, she grasped onto the support post to keep her balance.
“Be safe, beautiful Billie. Goodbye.” He ran down the steps, across the yard, and out to where he’d parked his car on the other side of the street.
Although she wanted to linger and watch him go, she closed the door, turned the lock, and ran through the house to where Peggy hid behind the curtain in the library.
“He’s gone,” Billie whispered, motioning for Peggy to move away from the window.
“It’s a good thing, too. Miss Burwell is heading back in. Let’s go.” The two women scrambled up the steps and, after Billie offered Peggy a brief word of thanks and a hug, they both rushed into their rooms and shut their doors. Billie turned off her light, changed into her nightgown, and slid into the bed.
The thought of Zane coming back to see her, climbing the tree just to give her a kiss, filled her dreams with a bliss unlike any she’d previously known.
Chapter Five
“Hey, Jimmy. How are you doing this evening?” Billie asked a pallid young soldier as she set his dinner tray in front of him.
A ghost of a smile skipped across his lips before his face settled into its continuous morose expression. “I’m fine, Nurse Brighton.”
“Aren’t you hungry, Jimmy?” she pushed his tray a little closer. “The food is really good if you’d give it a taste. You can’t beat the mashed potatoes. Try just a bite.” She held a fork out to the young man.
The private took it and poked at the potatoes, eventually taking a small bite before he set down the fork then pushed away his tray. The soldier was so despondent and lethargic, she’d watched him waste away over the past two weeks since he’d been at the hospital. The poor young man had lost both legs in an explosion, but he also seemed to have lost his spirit and will to live.
Billie had no intention of letting him die when he had so much life ahead of him. He just needed to realize how fortunate he was to be alive and work past his grief and the mire of pity sucking him down into such a dark place.
She moved the tray then fluffed his covers. “What was your favorite candy bar when you were younger, Private Harwood?”
He gave her a strange look. “It was a coconut bar dipped in chocolate. I haven’t had one since I left home in December.” He licked his bottom lip, as though he could taste the candy. “Boy, I sure would like to have one.”
Billie asked him the name of the candy and pried a list of his favorite foods out of him as she took his pulse and got him settled for the night.
The next morning, Billie dressed in one of her favorite outfits, sent her uniform to work with Peggy, then set out to find a candy bar for Jimmy.
She walked to a nearby grocer’s store, but they had never heard of the candy. Billie went from one store to the next. At the fifth store she tried, she finally found the candy and purchased the last dozen candy bars. She also bought a package of cookies Jimmy mentioned he liked, and a handful of comic books, including Bugs Bunny and Goofy. The last thing Jimmy needed was to read anything about the war. It was essential to his survival he relax, laugh, and take his mind off what had happened.
If she could get him to do that, then they could work on getting him on the road to recovery. Once he got his head in the right place, his body would follow.
Out of time to walk all the way back to the hospital, Billie flagged down a cab. For the fifth time in as many minutes, she glanced at her watch, a pretty little thing set with marcarsite stones that had been a gift from the grateful wife of a patient. However, if the cab driver didn’t hustle, she’d be late for her shift at the hospital, and that would never do.
The moment the driver pulled up at the curb, she paid the man and bounded out of the cab with a paper sack full of treasures for Jimmy. She turned around and nearly collided with a well-dressed man.
“Pardon me,” he said, tipping his hat with a smile. His thorough perusal began at the emerald green hat on her golden head and ended at the open toes of her matching high-heeled shoes. “You look fetching today, Nurse Brighton.”
Billie narrowed her gaze as she stared at the man. Something about him seemed familiar — his blue eyes, the shape of his jaw, the charming smile. Recognition washed over her along with excitement. She squealed and wrapped her arms around Rock Laroux.
“Good golly, Captain Laroux! I was sure you’d passed on to glory after you ran away,” she said, hugging him tighter, relieved he was not only alive, but appeared to be thriving.
Rock returned her hug, then released her and took a step back. “I didn’t run away, I merely left without asking Doc’s permission.”
“Well, I’m glad you did. I never expected to see you looking like this,” she said. She took in the hat on his head, the expensive, well-cut suit, and the polished shoes on his feet. He looked healthy and happy. Pleased for him, for his returned health, she smiled broadly. “It’s good to see you, Rock.”
“You too, Nurse Brighton.” Rock squeezed her hand and gave her cheek a quick kiss. “Thank you for taking such good care of me while I was here. I appreciate everything you did.”
Guilt assailed Billie. Obviously, there was something, some major component of his care, the hospital, the doctor, or the nursing staff had failed to deliver. Rock had nearly died at the hospital and most likely would have if he remained there.
“It was all part of the job, Captain.” She glanced at her watch again, aware she was about to be late, and took a step toward the door. “I’m truly happy to see you well. Take care of yourself.”
Rock gave her another smile. “You too, Nurse Brighton.”
Shocked by Rock’s appearance, she spun around, rushed up the steps, and inside the hospital. The heels of her shoes clacked across the floor as she made her way to Jimmy’s room. She walked into the room, tamping down her astonishment over seeing Rock, and smiled.
“Jimmy, today is your lucky day,” she said, smiling as she walked over to the young private’s bed.
He pushed himself up from his pillows and shook his head. “I think my luck ran out a while back.” His glance settled on the blankets below his knees that should have covered his legs. Instead the blankets were flat, a stark reminder of what he’d lost.
“I don’t believe it, Jimmy. In fact, what I have here proves otherwise.”
He appeared the slightest bit curious as Billie reached into the paper sack and pulled out a candy bar.
“It can’t be!” he exclaimed, reaching for the candy bar.
“It can and it is,” Billie said, fighting back tears as he ripped off the paper and bit into the candy.
Jimmy closed his eyes and moaned in pleasure as he savored the first bite. When his eyes opened, he gave her a huge grin that transformed his face and added color to his pale cheeks. “I don’t know where or how you found this, but thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Jimmy.” Billie set the package of cookies on his bed tray.
“Cookies, too?” Jimmy took another bite of his candy bar then fingered the package of cookies with his other hand. “You’re an angel, Nurse Brighton. A pure angel.”
Billie laughed. “Oh, there are many who would disagree with you, Jimmy, but I’m glad you like the treats.” She handed him the comics, then showed him the other candy bars before tucking them into the drawer of his nightstand. “Now, you be a good boy and start eating your meals, and you can have a candy bar as a reward. How does that sound?”
Jimmy grinned at her. “Like I’m six years old again and Ma is trying to bribe me to do something I don’t want to.” He reached out a hand to her. She took it in hers and gave it a
gentle squeeze. “I can’t thank you enough for this, Nurse Brighton. It means a lot to me.”
“It’s my pleasure, Jimmy.” She gently set his hand on the bed. “But I better get going or I’ll be unforgivably late for my shift.”
Before he could say anything else, Billie rushed to change into her uniform and get to work. All the nurses were abuzz about Rock showing up out of nowhere. A few hours later, Billie had the opportunity to ask Doctor Ridley if he’d seen Rock.
“I gave him a thorough exam. From what I can see, Rock is perfectly healthy and his wounds are finally healing like they should be. He said he’s been living on a farm eating lots of good, fresh food. Seems to be doing the trick,” the doctor said. “Before I forget, I should send a note to his friend that was here a few weeks ago looking for him.”
Billie had been so stunned to see Rock, so taken aback by his miraculous recovery, and then her concerns about Jimmy, that she’d not given a thought to letting Zane know Rock was alive and well.
“Do you think you could send a telegram to Lieutenant West?” Billie asked. “I’m sure he’d love to hear the news as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll take care of that right now. I didn’t even think to mention to Rock he had a friend looking for him.”
Billie shook her head. “I didn’t say anything either. I was so caught off guard by his unexpected appearance that I could scarcely remember my own name.”
The doctor laughed. “Indeed, Nurse Brighton.” He pointed down the hall. “Now, tell me what you did to Private Jimmy Harwood. That boy seemed like a whole new person when I checked on him a few minutes ago. He was sitting up in bed laughing — actually laughing — as he read a comic book.”
“Well, I…” Billie described what she’d done for the patient.
By the end of her shift, Billie was exhausted, but in a good way. After she’d asked to have a special meal prepared for Jimmy, she’d taken it up to him and had felt entirely gratified when he’d cleaned up every bite of the chicken and dumplings along with a serving of tender green beans. As a treat, she’d given him another of his precious store of candy bars.
Billie had asked the store to let her know when they had more in stock. Hopefully, Jimmy’s supply would last for a while. At any rate, Jimmy looked like a new young man as he’d finished the last bite of his candy.
Billie checked his vitals, settled him for the night, and smiled when he reached out and grabbed her hand. “Thanks again, Nurse Brighton. The comics are perfect. Just what I needed.”
She gently squeezed his hand. “When you finish those, let me know and I’ll see what else I can find.”
“I will.”
With her heart lighter than it had been in a while, Billie tiredly made her way home. Since it was late, she’d eaten dinner at the hospital and barely made it in the door before Miss Burwell’s curfew.
The woman scowled at her as she entered the house, but didn’t say anything when Billie plodded up the stairs to her room. After taking a bath, Billie wrapped herself in a soft robe and sat down at her desk, intent on writing Zane a letter.
She started three times, tossing away her attempts before scowling at her waste of paper. Whatever she wrote next was what he would receive. Her pen scratched against the stationery, filling three pages. She signed her name, tucked the sheets of paper into an envelope and addressed it before she changed her mind. She thought about tucking in a little something for Zane, but had no idea what. She’d already given him a photo and her favorite scarf, like a lovesick schoolgirl. He probably thought she was an idiot. If he did, she couldn’t blame him. She’d certainly acted like one around him, losing her sense as though she didn’t own a healthy portion.
Regardless, she wanted Zane to know Rock was well and nearby. Billie was happy for Rock. So grateful he’d survived and come out the victor over whatever had been robbing his very life. For the hundredth, or perhaps thousandth time, she wondered what had been making Rock so sick. Doctor Ridley said they’d likely never know for sure, but thought perhaps it might have been something at the hospital, or a mixture of medications.
At least Rock had been wise enough, or desperate enough, to take charge of his life and get well.
Now, if she could just get Private Harwood back on track. She thought back about how happy he’d been to get the candy and cookies, as well as the comic books. If Billie had to do battle every day to get the cook to make something Jimmy would eat, so be it. But she was making sure that young man got well and returned to a normal life, or as normal as it would be for a twenty-year-old who’d lost both of his legs.
With no energy left to expend, Billie removed her robe, turned off the lights and climbed into bed, thinking about Zane.
A few days later, she’d just arrived home from work when Miss Burwell thrust a small package at her. “This came for you today,” the woman said, frowning at her.
“Thank you.” Billie took the paper-wrapped package, nodded once to the woman, and hurried upstairs to her room.
She never received packages, unless she’d ordered something through the mail, which was a rare occurrence. In no rush to end the anticipation of what might be inside the package, one that was a complete surprise, she set the box on her desk, changed out of her uniform, and took her clothes down to the laundry room where she washed them then carried them out back to the clothes line to dry.
By then, it was time for dinner. She joined the other women who were there for the meal, presided over by Miss Burwell. The food was always plentiful and good, although Miss Burwell often served cold meals during the warm months. Tonight’s menu included chilled cucumber soup with fresh dill, seared fish, cottage cheese, and tomato slices. Dessert was a bowl of fresh strawberries from the plants in the garden at the back of the house. As the women had time, they helped in the large Victory garden, all wanting to do their part.
Full of the good meal and ready to discover what was in the box in her room, Billie didn’t linger downstairs after dinner. She made her way to her room, picked up the box and settled into her overstuffed chair. She tried to read the return address, but it had been smudged so badly it was completely illegible. With a dainty pair of sewing scissors she rarely used, she cut away the string that encircled the box and removed the paper. A small envelope was tucked beneath the pink ribbon tied around a box wrapped in pale pink paper decorated with dark pink and blue flowers.
She opened the envelope and took out a single sheet of folded paper. It smelled of leather and sunshine — and Zane.
Hello, Billie, girl!
You probably thought you’d gotten plumb shuck of me when I left, but here I am, turning up like a bad penny.
“Hardly,” Billie whispered. She smiled as she returned to Zane’s letter.
I made it to the base in California. My orders are to return to Hawaii and rejoin my unit there, so I’ll be shipping out tomorrow. A few fellas and I decided to have a high time out on the town before we left. Since I’m not one for drinking firewater, as my daddy always called it, a buddy named Bud (his real name is Lawrence Muldoon, but everyone calls him Bud) and I wandered past shops, seeing what we could see. When I saw this in a store window, it made me think of you. Hope you don’t think it’s too personal of a gift, especially between friends.
We are still friends, aren’t we, beautiful Billie? I sure hope we are, because meeting you was one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.
“Me, too, cowboy,” Billie said, then glanced at her open door, hoping no one heard her talking to herself. She got up, closed the door, then returned to the letter.
By now, I am praying Rock has been found and he’s well. I still can’t help but think if something awful had happened to him, I’d know. That probably sounds like I’ve gone daffy, but Rock is closer to me than my own brother.
Anyway, I need to finish this note so they can send it with the gift.
Take care of yourself, doll, and know there is one ol’ Texas cowboy that you’ve made a little h
appier with just the memory of your sweet smile.
Until next time!
With kindest regards,
Zane
P.S. In the event a whole slew of homesick soldiers are writing to you, this is Lieutenant Zane West, the one who climbed in your bedroom window to steal a goodbye kiss. And, man, what a kiss that was!
“As if I could ever forget you, Zane West,” Billie admonished quietly. How many men did he think she let climb into her room, or kiss her for that matter. Zane had been the first man she’d spent any time with, outside of work, since before Thanksgiving. No matter what anyone thought or assumed, Billie spent far more of her time and energy on work than she did thinking about handsome men. She had no interest in marrying just for the sake of marrying and she most adamantly would not entertain the notion of a relationship with a soldier.
However, thoughts of Zane’s kisses, the warmth of his smile, and how good it felt to be in his arms made her consider how wonderful it would be to belong to a man like him.
No.
Not a man like him, but him. Zane was unlike the other men she’d met and dated. He was… oh, she didn’t even know how to put into words what he was, but Zane was special. She was smart enough to know that and wise enough to keep her distance from it.
Or so she told herself as she carefully unwrapped the box and set aside the paper.
A smile brightened her whole face as she opened the box and lifted out an exquisitely cut glass bottle of her favorite perfume.
How had Zane known what perfume she wore? Had he recognized the scent? It had been very popular a few years ago. Although many girls had moved on to a different fragrance, Billie still favored the slightly exotic tones of Tabu.
Pleased by the gift, and even more delighted by Zane’s note, she quickly sat down and wrote to him. The next morning, she rushed down to the nearby grocery store and purchased candy bars, cookies, crackers, and several packages of chewing gum, boxing them up and sending them to Zane along with her letter. She knew it would take weeks to reach him, but she hoped he enjoyed the surprise when it arrived as much as she appreciated the gift of perfume.
Dream of Her Heart Page 7