A Nurse for Connor

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  David, the oldest son of Joseph Stark, seemed unscathed, but he was the feisty one. He’d hooked up as an assistant to some general and stayed out of most of the action. Ben had a slight limp on rainy days from a Yankee ball, but they both came back determined to put the past behind them. And David soon married.

  Connor was five years younger than Ben. After mother died, the joy had gone out of his father’s eyes. Connor had been mama’s favorite. He knew it. Worse, his brothers and father knew it too.

  So, once she died, they turned their backs on him. He didn’t understand why. It wasn’t his fault. Yes, he’d caught the fever first. And mother had nursed him back to health for a month. Then she caught the fever and died.

  How he missed her. He had prayed that God would kill him and bring his mother back. But He hadn’t. God didn’t seem any more interested in Connor than his father and brothers. Oh, they took care of him, and he had anything he wanted.

  Except for the one thing he desired.

  The freedom to leave the ranch, and if Connor was honest, the feeling that he mattered to his father.

  Seeing his brothers find the women of their dreams, he’d gone out looking for a girl to call his own. He thought Colleen would make him feel important, but she tired of his anger, and then ran off with Connor’s best friend, Beau, leaving Connor once again very much alone. It’s the one thing Connor understood. His brothers and father might not see it, but Connor felt as if he lived on an island in the midst of his loud family.

  He pounded his fist into the mattress. A nurse. Well, he’d show her. He didn’t need or want anyone. His leg would mend just like the doc said it would. He just needed to occupy his mind so he wouldn’t think of the hurt.

  An agonizing pain raced through his leg. Connor had been shot before, and it hadn’t hurt this bad. How much more could he take?

  The doc said morphine might help, but Father was against it. Said he’d heard how men came back from the war but couldn’t leave the morphine even after their wounds were healed. Anyway, he refused it for Connor.

  He pounded his fist into the mattress again and again. As soon as his leg was fit, Connor was leaving the ranch. He’d ask for his inheritance and go.

  Chapter 3

  Josey stretched and yawned. What a ride. The stagecoach felt like a bucking pony, especially when they had to outrun the outlaws trying to rob them. Fortunately, one of the riders in the stagecoach had a gun and shot the horse out from under the outlaw leader and saved them.

  And that was the first hour out of Fort Worth. She had seen a sign saying, Fort Worth, Where the West Begins, and she believed it. Wild wasn’t half the story. But Josey was determined to get to her assignment.

  Josey thought of her patient. Poor boy. She had never had a broken bone, but after assisting doctors as they set arms and legs, and the screams by grown men, she knew it had to be very painful. She tried to think of what games they might be able to play to help the lad pass the time.

  “Miss, you sure are brave to come out all this way by yourself.”

  She smiled at the man sitting across from her. “Why, thank you. I’m a nurse and on assignment. My school was started by Nurse Harrow, who studied under Clara Barton. They did a lot of work during the war.”

  He nodded. “Yeah. The war. A cruel thing that destroyed so many lives.”

  “Yes, I suppose they are always painful even when they are necessary.” She sighed and sat back in the coach. In the hospital in Baltimore, many of their patients had been injured in the war and were still in need of care.”

  Finally, they stopped at an old cabin on the side of the road. The driver came around and opened the door. “This is your stop, Miss.”

  She looked out the door. “This? I don’t see a this.”

  The older man laughed. “You’d be right. It’s just an old, line shack that doubles as a stage station. I got word that someone from the Stark Ranch would be by to pick you up. If you want, we can wait until they get here. Horses could use a rest.”

  “That would be wonderful.” She took his hand and climbed out of the stage. It felt good to stretch her legs as she’d been sitting for way too long. Walking past the coach, she scanned the land and saw how it stretched out before her in any direction. There wasn’t a thing on the land but scrub trees and tall grass.

  She shivered and wrapped her shawl around her. It was fall, but she’d traveled so far south that she hadn’t expected it to be cold.

  The driver laughed. “You’re from Baltimore, you said. I bet you thought it would be warmer this far south.”

  “Yes, I did. I left my heavy coat at home because I didn’t think I’d need it. I’ll have to buy one as soon as I earn enough money.”

  He grinned. “Well, little miss, look around. There aren’t any stores around here.”

  “What about in Stark, Texas?”

  “Stark is nothing but a ranch. A large ranch. We’ve been riding on it for the last two hours.” He raised up. “Here, they come. Good luck to you, Miss.”

  “Thank you.” She tried to see what he must have seen, but she saw only grass.

  The driver climbed on the stagecoach and swung the whip, not touching any of the horses but letting it make a loud crack as they pulled away from the cabin.

  Josey stood alone with her bag and trunk. It was all she had in the world. She wondered just what was coming to take her to Stark. She laughed a bit about the irony of the name. For Stark was exactly what she would call this land.

  No buildings, towns, or people. She wondered what the ranch would be like. Staring at the cabin behind her, she prayed it was better than that. Still, she was on her mission, and she would do the best she could with what she was presented with.

  Miss Sandoval, her guardian, had always told her that the Lord watched over her and that she should never fear. The kindly woman would smile and hold her face and continue saying, “Those that are alone were the luckiest because the Lord paid them special attention.” Josey had believed it as a young child, and she believed it now.

  At her loneliest times, Josey would feel the Lord’s presence. A sweet warmth that enveloped her and gave her peace. As she got older and read the Bible, she found the verse that talked about the peace that passed all understanding.

  And right now, standing on the rough road the stage had driven on and alongside a burned-out cabin and nothing but trees and grass, Josey felt it now. She was safe in His hands. That she would testify to.

  Then she heard the creaking sound of wagon wheels and saw some dust rising above the grass. That must be the wagon coming to get her. Soon, it came through the weeds. A buggy as fine as any as she’d seen in Baltimore.

  It pulled up beside her, and a bald man exited and held the door for her. “Josey Beall?”

  She nodded and held out her hand. “Yes.”

  “I’m Banjo. No other name to go with it. An old fiddler found me in the street and said the first thing I did was strum his banjo. That’s how I got my name.”

  “Banjo, it’s so nice to meet you.” Josey felt an instant liking to the man. That they had both been abandoned while little made her feel a kinship to him.

  He grinned and took her bag and trunk. For an older man, he was strong and carried her items with little trouble.

  “Mr. Stark is anxious for you to get to the house. If you’re through looking around this fine depot, we’ll be on our way.”

  She laughed. “Quite through. I’m ready.”

  “It’s a three-hour drive.”

  “My goodness. Is there no town closer?”

  “To the south. Waco is maybe a day’s ride. I’m sure Mr. Stark will take you there from time to time. It’s a pretty little city. Lots of color and music. You’ll love it.”

  “And Stark, what is it like?”

  “It’s a ranch. Horses, cattle, and the Stark family. You’ll like them, though. And you’ll be happy to know that there are other women on the ranch plus a cook and a couple of housekeepers.”

&
nbsp; Josey smiled. “It sounds fascinating. I’m a nurse and on my way to care for Mr. Stark’s son. He has a broken leg.”

  Banjo nodded. “Yes, we’ve been waiting for you.” He glanced at her. “You’re a pretty little thing. I hope you know what you’re getting into.”

  “I’ve studied for the last several months to learn all I can about nursing. I am quite qualified.” After Josey spoke, her conscience pricked her. Maybe she wasn’t quite well-qualified, but she could certainly handle a boy with a broken leg.

  Banjo pointed to a flat chunk of land rising above the horizon. “That’s Comanche Bluff. We had a battle there with the Indians fifteen years ago. Chased them off our land.”

  “Did they think it was there land?”

  Banjo frowned and looked at her. “Well, I suppose they did. But they weren’t doing anything with it.”

  Josey looked about her. “What are you doing with it?”

  “Cattle. Horses.”

  “I don’t see anything. Just grass.”

  Banjo smiled. “Well, that’s what the cattle and horses eat.”

  “Oh. I’ve never been on a ranch before. I suppose someday maybe someone can help me learn how to ride a horse.” She’d always wanted to ride, but being an orphan in Baltimore, what you wanted and what you could do were miles apart. Josey had been fortunate to be picked up by Miss Sandoval.

  The older woman had taken care of her since she was a small child. No one really knew what had happened to Josey’s parents. But Miss Sandoval, who had no children of her own, took in the ones she found and loved them as if they were her own. Sadly, she had passed just as Josey was admitted into nursing school.

  Banjo clicked to the horses. “I hope you like it out here. I’m sure it’s a lot different than Baltimore.”

  “Oh, quite different. For one thing, Baltimore is much colder, but I realize that I should have brought a heavy coat.”

  Banjo laughed. “Yes, ma’am. It can get cold down here. In about twenty minutes, you’ll see the house. It rises out of the ground as if a giant placed a castle on the land.”

  “How many families live on the ranch?”

  “There’d be Mr. Joseph Stark. He’s the father and my best friend. Me and him came out here when there was nothing but Indians, outlaws, and wild horses and cattle. We tamed the land and carved a ranch out of the wild.”

  “Sounds so exciting. I can’t wait to meet the family.”

  Banjo looked at her and smiled then turned his attention to the horses.

  Josey settled back in the buggy and watched in anticipation, praying the boy would heal quickly, and that they would get along.

  Chapter 4

  Connor woke surly and mean. His leg had hurt him all night, and sleep had only come with the waning of the moon. Worn out and in pain, he threw the covers off and looked at the cast that covered his right leg.

  The doc had said it should be all right once it healed, but Connor wasn’t sure. He didn’t think the pain should go on for so long. It had been three weeks since the fall.

  At night, the images of the accident would play out over and over as if they were real. The horse was falling, his horse’s leg snapped, and then Connor’s leg broke. Two loud cracks that he heard again and again. Each one offered a dose of a different kind of pain.

  The horse had been his since he was ten. His mother had been proud of the animal. It was the last present she’d given him. Now the horse was gone, too. His father didn’t understand that. Saying, “It was just a horse, get over it. We have hundreds just as good.” But not one of them had been picked out and named by Connor’s mother.

  His father was impatient. Yelling at Connor that he should be up and around on crutches by now, and then irritated at having to get help for him. A Stark, above all things, was expected to stand on their own two feet.

  Even Ben, who had been shot in the war, did a day’s work. He didn’t let his wound hamper him at all. So, it went on, Father’s displeasure for Connor added to the pain in his leg. And the long nights.

  His brothers thought the same and were upset the burden of his chores had been added to them. Life was hard, Connor understood that much. And if it were up to him and he could walk, he’d leave the ranch.

  The sun streamed in his window, trying to cheer him up, but he was hungry and had to wait for someone to bring the food to him. Soon someone would walk through that door and bring him lunch or dinner. He didn’t even know what time it was, but his stomach hoped they’d come soon.

  Father’s knocked rattled the door. He didn’t wait for an answer and barged in. “Connor. Today, I have a nurse coming all the way from Baltimore. I want her to stay. Is that understood?”

  Connor stared at his father. “Yes, sir.” Why didn’t the old man understand he just wanted to be left alone? He didn’t need a nurse. If only he could get up and walk, then he wouldn’t need anyone.

  His father sat at the chair by his bed. “I know you’re in pain but be kind to this nurse. It’s your last chance. I’m about ready to send you to a sanitarium. There’s one in San Antonio that I checked on. So, you better treat her nice.”

  Connor was in no mood to be told what he had to do. He glared at his father. “What is she like? Old and ornery, dried up and bitter.”

  “I hope not. Despite your young age, you’re bitter and mean enough as it is. I don’t know how to reach you, Connor. Frankly, I’m getting tired of trying.” Joseph stood, looked around the room, and then left him.

  Connor needed to change clothes. If he was meeting a new nurse, he better get out of these smelly things. He called out, and his father came back in. “I’d like to change clothes, get a bath and shave.”

  With a smile, Joseph nodded. “I’ll send in a couple men to help you.”

  In a few minutes, Tiny Jay and Howard came in. Howard was the barber on the ranch. Tiny Jay was a big man who could hold Connor up long enough to get the sheets and clothes changed. Despite his huge size, Tiny was as gentle and kind as they come. For once, Connor appreciated the help.

  After much wrangling, Connor was cleaned up and on clean sheets. His hair was cut and face shaved. He did feel better and hoped the nurse wouldn’t look too harshly on him.

  ***

  Josey was nodding off when Banjo nudged her.

  “We’re here, Miss.”

  Josey looked, and there in the middle of the grassland rose a mansion. It looked to be larger than the school she’d been enrolled in. At least three stories. Made of dark bricks and wood. Stark, it could belong to no one else. And not a tree around it.

  “Why don’t they plant trees?”

  Banjo looked. “Good question. I suppose no one’s thought about it in some years. The Mrs. had a few planted by her sitting room years ago.”

  “Well, perhaps I can persuade them to. Every boy should have a tree to play in. Hang a swing from one of the limbs. I used to love swinging high into the air.” She smiled. “Miss Sandoval had an old swing tied to a stout tree limb. I’d dream I was flying and soar into the sky time and time again. I loved it.” She stopped talking and took in the size of the house. “This place is huge, but it doesn’t look fun.”

  Banjo looked at the mansion. “No, I think you’re right. Maybe that’s why you’ve come to Stark Ranch. To give it a spark of life and fun.”

  Josey smiled at him. “Thank you. I do believe the Lord sent me for some reason.”

  He stopped the wagon in front of the house and helped her down. “I’ll get someone to bring in your trunk. I’m not sure where Joseph will have you stay.”

  Josey looked around. “I guess this house is big enough to house half a city.”

  Chuckling, Banjo walked her inside.

  The first thing Josey noticed was a massive painting of a handsome, if not austere man and his wife. She was as loving and warm as he was cold. The man had dark hair with tinges if gray on the side. His eyes were a piercing blue.

  The woman’s hair was a warm brown and her eyes a shade warmer but
brown. Her smile was so real, Josey half expected her to step from the wall and welcome her to her home.

  Banjo pointed. “That’s Mr. Joseph Stark and his wife, Elizabeth. She died, oh, I guess it’s been thirteen years now.”

  “I think I’d have liked her.”

  Banjo glanced at her. “Yes, ma’am. I think you would.” He looked at her with kindness. “And I know she’d have liked you. Let’s go find the boss.”

  They didn’t have to go far when the man from the painting came out of the study. He was more intimidating and powerful than in the picture.

  Josey smiled at him and held out her hand. “I’m Josey Beall. I have come to be a nurse for your son. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you since I got the wire.”

  Mr. Stark gave her a slight smile while staring at her with his penetrating blue eyes. “Miss Beall, welcome to Stark Ranch. I’m Joseph, and I’m sorry, but the rest of my sons are out on the ranch. I’ll take you to Connor. He’s the patient, and I’m sorry to say, he’s not very patient.”

  Feeling like the man had searched her and found her wanting, Josey still managed a smile. “Good. I’d like to get started right away.”

  “After you meet Connor, I’ll have Banjo take you to your room. I thought something on the third floor might be nice for you.”

  “Actually, I should be near the patient.”

  With a frown, Joseph Stark nodded. “Well, I’ll see what I can do. There is a room across from where I have Connor. This way.” Joseph turned to lead them down the hall.

  Josey moved around Banjo and knocked her bag into a table. She turned and tried to catch the statue, but she missed, and it crashed to the floor.

  Banjo froze and watched Mr. Stark.

  Mr. Stark turned, his shoulders went up, and his eyes blazed. “What happened?”