by Tyra Brown
The Nurse's Love
By Tyra Brown
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Faith was a home health nurse who cared very dearly for all her patients.
Cooper was a billionaire who needed someone to look after his ailing mother.
When an unexpected visitor arrives and shoots Cooper, his whole life is put to a standstill but Faith is there to nurse him back to health. Their love blossoms, but life is more complicated than it seems, as a former lover re-enters the picture, and the mystery of the shooter unfolds.
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Copyright © 2015 Tyra Brown. All rights reserved. Including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof, in any form. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the author.
WARNING: This book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language. It may be considered offensive to some readers. This book is for sale to adults ONLY.
Please ensure this book is stored somewhere that cannot be accessed by underage readers.
Dedicated
To Strong Women and The Men They Love
Prologue
As Faith stood on the doorstop ready to say goodbye, she wondered if she was doing the right thing. Her time with the Robinson's had been far more enjoyable than any other client and she never could have imagined falling for her employer, and becoming such good friends with her patient. She was a home health nurse and her job was to help people, nothing more.
But it was getting to be too much. Her heart couldn't take not being with Cooper any longer. After the few nights that they shared, she wished that they could be together, but with everything that happened she didn't know if that would ever happen again.
She wanted him, and he knew it, but life is never as simple as we set out. With a new woman entering his life and him being in the hospital after the shooting nothing made sense anymore. She was the one who was there to nurse him back to health, but why did he still choose her? And who was the mysterious shooter?
Chapter One – Faith
Faith quickly made her way into the hallway of the mansion she was currently working in. She knew one thing for sure about her current employer, and that was that Janet Covington hated the darkness. She had told Faith one day that she wanted to experience the sun for as long as she could before everything went dark in the end. Faith made sure that every curtain in the building was open to shine bright light throughout the halls and walkways, as well as the rooms she knew the woman would occupy that day.
It was Thursday and knowing the woman’s weekly schedule by heart, she knew it was a day that would be spent downstairs in the parlor. Besides herself and Ms. Covington, there would be three other ladies who would come to play bridge that evening. Tea would be ready and waiting as well as appetizers and snacks for the women to enjoy. According to the older woman, her time left on earth was to be enjoyed. She would spend her money on lavish evenings with friends. This, she so casually told her, was because she couldn’t take her money with her when she kicked the bucket.
“As you can see my dear, my family cannot spare me a minute of their day. I'm not important enough for them to even stop by for five minutes to say hello. Therefore, my money is not worth their time either. I cannot take it with me and so I will spend it enjoying myself on these last few days that I have left in this world.”
After the woman’s tirade, Faith had simply responded with one brief phrase. “I understand.”
“Do you, my dear?”
“Well, not personally, but I do understand your reasoning.”
“Good then. Let’s see what we will have this evening at the game.”
They made their way downstairs to the foyer. She never understood until that day why the woman didn’t sell the house and get something on one floor. She had such problems walking, but was improving as time went by. Faith was forever worried about her falling. Refusing assistance, there was one thing she knew for sure. The woman was stubborn and not one that Faith wanted to tangle with. She had once heard her yelling through the window at the newspaper boy for throwing the paper on her award-winning daffodils.
“Okay, dear. What sounds good today?” Although she could be a strict woman and often regarded as an old buzzard, Janet Covington was always polite to Faith. She refused her help many times but regarded her as a person instead of an employee. Faith thought it may have something to do with her being the only person around to talk to most of the time. Either way, she was glad not only for the woman’s compassion, but that she was able to return the compassion by giving her companionship.
Becoming a nurse had been a calling for Faith in one of the darkest times of her life. Although she had found her way out, she had never been able to move forward from some of the events in her past. She was hindered, so to speak, in many ways that were not seen to the naked eye. She had only dead-end relationships and had built a wall of steel around her heart that would be hard to break. Her love was in her work. She wanted to be the one to bring smiles to faces and give people the things that they needed the most in their days before the end. She wanted to give them someone they could count on.
She had been the nurse to a man who had wanted her to read him the classics in literature and then debate with him on her thoughts and aspects of the reading material. There was a woman who wanted someone to type her life story for those in her family to read. Another spoke volumes just to have her listen and finally, Mrs. Covington wanted someone there. She didn’t need to do anything or speak a word. Just having her presence near her seemed to calm the older woman and make her feel more at ease. Whatever the need, Faith was happy to help these people. She believed that everyone had a destiny and their road was paved. Each step made a new memory and each memory taught a lesson. She was on her way to hers. She knew that life was the ultimate teacher and through it all would be revealed.
Looking back over at the woman again, she regarded her thoughtfully. “You had ham salad and croissants last week, Mrs. Covington. How about seafood of some kind this time?”
“For heaven’s sake, child, call me Janet and sit down. You make me nervous when you stand over me like that.” Most people would take offense at some of the things that came from the woman, but Faith knew better than to take anything personally. Sitting next to the woman on the love seat, she waited for the woman to answer. “You know you have a point. How about cocktail shrimp and crab cakes with some veggies and dip. Maybe we will pair it with lemon tarts for dessert. What do you think?”
“I think, as always, you have remarkable taste. You should have been an event planner.”
“Yes but then who would have run this elaborate and never-ending house for my husband?” She laughed.
Faith looked around at the massive home and knew why the woman had never moved. Regardless of her ranting and raving and her need to be aloof and temperamental, Janet Covington loved her deceased husband and missed him. This house, although bare of people and noise, was her only connection to him and she refused to let it go. Her hardened exterior was something Faith could appreciate. In her life there were the people w
ho were in her life for a moment or people who were simply gone. Janet was a tough egg to crack but when you gave her respect, she was what she considered a confidant.
It made her sad to think about the family that never seemed to be there. Faith glanced over at the photos lining the hall. Janet Covington had once been a figurehead of the community. She had graced the halls of the other homes nearby and always hosted the most lavish of parties with her husband. She had three children. Although she never talked about them much , Faith knew that deep down her hardened exterior was a product of the neglect they gave her. Her oldest was Jonathan, she had mentioned that he was a war hero and when he had come home he never found himself again. Her middle son was Alexander, spoiled and selfish, he had a mean streak she never quite understood. He was a gambler and money had always given him a way out of his own misfortunes. Lastly her daughter Isabelle, Janet never spoke of her and Faith had never asked. For all of her complaining, Janet Covington loved her children despite their absence. Faith knew she still continued to pay her son’s gambling debts as the collectors even now showed up at her door.
Life always had a unique way of giving us what we can handle. Faith pulled herself out of yet another daydream and grabbed the blanket from the arm chair in the foyer. She tucked it around Mrs. Covington.
“Stop fussing now, Faith, I’m not dead yet.”
“I know, Mrs. Covington, you’ll outlive us all I bet.” Faith glanced down and caught the half smile before Mrs. Covington hid it.
“I’ll go give the cook your instructions for the luncheon.” Faith gave her a once over. “Unless you need something else?”
“No no, dear, you go on, I’ll just rest while waiting on my friends to get here.” She gave Faith a brief smile.
Faith was concerned about Mrs. Covington, as of late she seemed more winded and always tired. Suddenly, the phone ringing made her jump.
“Hello, this is Faith.”
“Hey there, Faith, it’s Allison. How’s things there with the older patients?” Allison gave a chuckle. Although Faith was a home health nurse, she specialized in geriatric care.
“She’s very nice, Allison, be nice.” She smiled into the phone. “What’s up?”
“You, my friend, are being reassigned.”
“What, already? Mrs. Covington is a good employer, I have no issues staying here if necessary, who is going to help here when I am gone?”Faith sat down on the chaise lounge in the hall.
“Well before you start fighting to stay, you may want to hear about this patient...it’s for an older woman, a dementia patient. Her sons called in.” All businesslike now, Allison continued to give Faith the details.
“The family is the Robinson family in Mrs. Robinson Cove…”
“Mrs. Robinson Cove...really?” One of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the Newport Beach area. Faith was surprised.
“I know, right, can you imagine? This is going to be some assignment, Faith, but it’s not all peachy. I spoke to Mr. Robinson and he seems like he is a little abrasive. He is a doctor, apparently very careful about his mother, so proceed with caution!” This last part she dragged out with a bit of musical undertones.
“I’m sure he is fine, Allison.” Faith stood back up and headed to the kitchen as she spoke.
“Well I don’t know, seems like a real jerk to me but then you have more patience than us all, girl.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Faith smiled as she said it.
“You coming by anytime soon? I have just got to show you these pictures of me and James this weekend, it was so nice and the food…” Faith could practically hear Allison roll her eyes in delight.
“I’m not sure, Allison, it really depends on how long it takes me to get things going over with the new placement and all that. How soon do I need to be over there?”
“Tuesday afternoon is fine, he wasn’t really clear, and I know you like to wrap things up pretty thoroughly when you leave a placement.”
“Sounds good, Allison, thanks for the call, I appreciate it. Anyways, if Mr. Robinson calls, make sure to tell him I’ll be there Tuesday.”
“Will do chica…later.”
Being Thursday, that gave her a few days to repack everything and get over there, the drive was only about two hours away so she would plan to pack over the weekend and leave Tuesday morning. She thought about how to tell Mrs. Covington ;it was her job, but she had grown to care for her in the 6 months she had been there.
“Mrs. Covington.” Faith smiled.
“Janet dear…Janet. Mrs. Covington makes me feel so...so...old.”
“Yes, Mrs... Err Janet, I forgot. I have something I want to talk to you about if you have a moment.”
“You’re leaving me aren’t you, dear?” She smiled a half smile. “I already got the call from that simple minded girl you work for, what’s her name again?”
“Allison is her name.” Faith smiled. “So she called already then. I appreciate everything you have taught me, Mrs. Janet, I truly do.”
“You just can’t let go of the Mrs. can you? Very well, I respect it really…young people today can be so disrespectful.” Mrs. Covington turned to pick up an item from the side table by the bar.
***
Monday morning came full of sunshine and headache. The rays spilling into her room were warm and sunny but the lack of sleep left her aching and moody. Saying a quick prayer to begin her day, Faith set out packing her things. She had decided to head out of town early and enjoy the ride from Bakersfield to Newport Beach. Not getting much time to travel, Faith knew she should appreciate the ride along the coast and through Santa Monica. She might even take some time to walk the Santa Monica pier. Traveling had always been a fascination for her. There were so many cities to see and visit, Faith kept a list of where she had been and where she wanted to go.
Faith headed downstairs with many of her things as quietly as possible. She knew Mrs. Janet wouldn’t be up yet and didn’t want to disturb her.
Chapter Two - Cooper
Cooper Robinson had never felt so angry in his life. He took another sip of his scotch as he slunk down a little lower in his leather chair, still brooding.
Just who the hell does Ansy think he is anyway? Being his financial advisor doesn’t give him the right to involve himself in the affairs of his personal life…this deadline was killing him.
He pushed himself back from the desk, consciously smoothing down his tie in the process. It was always a habit instilled in him from his father a long time ago. Being a doctor came naturally to Cooper. He had an eye for detail and once had a very good life. That was before…
He sighed as he headed down the long walk towards the pond. He needed to think. He needed a lot of things actually. He found his old chair on its side by the water. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed his time there. It had once been a spot of relaxation and contemplating. Back when…he exhaled sharply; he missed her. His wife had been a ball of light in all of his darkness. She had smelled like wildflowers and loved with her whole heart. A designer, she had pieced together this whole house and the landscaping. He could see her everywhere he looked. She had been gone two years. God had taken her. He had nothing left, and yet his father made his conditions clear.
His phone rang, shaking him from his thoughts.
“Yes, Ansy?” He could feel the sting of their earlier conversation.
“Look, man, I was just saying you need to get out more, have fun, I wasn’t trying to make you do anything. If I made you mad, I’m sorry, man.”
“I know, Ansy, and I know you’re right, I just don’t have time to focus on that with Mom and everything…”
“I know, I know, I pushed too far. Listen we need to talk about the new wing of the E.R...”
“I know I’ll head that way now. I have a new nurse moving into the west wing tomorrow and I need to be here to get things set up. I’ll be there just as soon as I can.”
After hanging up, he took one more deep breath and headed
to the car.
“Charles, I’m going to head back to the office.” He spoke into his phone to his driver who seemed to always be on standby. He walked a few more feet as the black sedan pulled up and he got in.
“Mr. Robinson.” Charles opened the door for him.
“Charles, can I ask you a question? How do you manage to always be ready?”
“I try to be on alert, sir, that’s all.”
“You’re a good man, Charles.” He climbed into the cool leather seats of the car.
Chapter Three- Faith
Tuesday morning came and with it the most annoying headache Faith had ever had. She had found a quaint hotel at the halfway point and had planned to leave much earlier than she was getting started. She had spent her free evening writing in her journal and planning her next trip and where she wanted to go. Even though she knew these trips wouldn’t happen anytime soon, she loved planning them and always had worked out every detail down to her in flight meal. She showered, pulled back her hair and ordered a coffee from the shop next door and set out to Mrs. Robinson Cove. She had managed to find some slacks and a nicer blouse in her clothes so that she would be somewhat presentable when she arrived that afternoon. Faith did a quick tally of her finances, sure that she would have enough to pay bills until her next payday. After, she added a blueberry muffin to her coffee and enjoyed the two from the front seat of her car.