“I’m sure I will.” Josey thanked them for the food. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was but made herself walk down the hall all the way to Connor’s room even though she wanted to stop and eat her portion.
She knocked on the door and opened it. “I have the best food I’ve ever seen on this tray. And a peach pie.”
Connor stared at her and shrugged. “It’s good.”
Josey set the tray down and then went to Connor. “Let me help you sit up.” She fluffed several pillows and then pulled back the sheet. “Now, if you hold onto my neck, I’ll pull you up so you can eat your meal.”
“I don’t need a girl to help me.”
“No, you need a nurse. I assure you that I am strong and have done this many times.” She saw his reluctance. “Please. I can’t eat until you do, and I am starving.”
Connor put his arms around her neck, and soon was sitting up.
Josey looked at him. “There that wasn’t so hard. How is your leg?”
“Better. I think.”
“Good.” She smiled at him. “You’re the only one that knows how you feel. Now, let me set the tray on your lap. And here’s a napkin you can tuck in your collar to keep your shirt clean.”
She sat down beside him and folded her hands to pray. “Lord, we thank you for this delicious food. I ask that you help Connor heal and that You give us a good day. Amen.” She smiled and looked at him.
He just stared at her. “What are you? One of them nuns?”
She laughed. “No, but I do believe in the Lord Jesus. He is always with me. You might realize that He watches out for you, too. Leaning on the Lord does wonders for a person’s attitude.”
Connor shook his head and began eating the stew.
Josey ate her food. It was wonderful, and after a short time, she did notice that Connor had eaten all his, too. The woman had only given her one piece of pie. “Do you like pie?”
Connor nodded.
“I wonder why she only gave me one piece. Oh well, you can have it.” She placed the pie on his tray.
Connor grinned at her. “My favorite.” He started to dig in but stopped. He took his knife and cut it in two. “I’ll share it with you.”
“Thank you. It looks delicious.” She ate the pie and felt a sense of peace over her. She must have made some points as Connor had been kind to her. Maybe she would last longer than the other help they’d hired.
Chapter 6
Connor cringed as Doc Runyon looked his leg over. The man had cut off the cast and was examining him. Connor thought he’d pass out when the cast came off, and the odor hit him. Now, it hurt when he moved it. What disturbed him the most was how thin his leg had become.
Then it was downright embarrassing to think he stunk that bad in front of Josey. Having her around was growing on him. She was cute, fun, and always sunny. His attitude was a bit better because of her.
Doc Runyon stood. “I think I can put on a smaller cast if you promise to do what this nurse tells you. I don’t want you walking on that leg. But you do need exercises to get back your mobility. Maybe in another month, you can use crutches and walk on it. I brought one of those chairs Nurse Beall ordered, and she can push you around so you can go outside.”
“I want to start walking.” Connor scowled.
“In time, you will. Best to be good to your leg now so it can carry you the rest of your life.” Doc Runyon turned to Josey and gave her some notes. “I’ll give you more of the powder. I’m glad that helped him along. That was a good choice, Nurse.”
“Thank you, Dr. Runyon.”
The older doctor smiled at her. “When you get Connor back on his feet, you come and see me. I’ve got plenty of work to keep you busy.” He glanced at Connor and grinned.
Connor met his gaze. That old doctor, he was up to something. More than likely he was trying to get him to like Josey. Along with the rest of his family. Everyone loved Josey. His father was taken with her, his brothers, and the staff and ranch hands.
She was a ray of sunshine, even on a cloudy day. Yet, she’d gone ahead and got him that invalid’s chair. Well, he wouldn’t let her get him into it and push him around. No, no, and no. He’d be up and walking before long. He was no invalid.
Finally, the doc left, and Connor was alone in the room. Josey always made sure to open the curtains first thing in the morning. Probably to make sure he was awake and not sleeping. But he did have to admit, he was sleeping through the nights now. She’d give him his powder mixed in warm milk, and the next thing he knew, she was in his room opening those curtains to let the sun in and wake him up.
She’d left with the doctor, and he was alone. Since Josey had arrived, she’d been with him most of the day, and he’d gotten used to her company. The crazy things she made him do. Read books. Play games with him.
He grinned. He’d taught her poker. Connor had thought it funny until she started beating him. The woman was getting to him, and now that she wasn’t here, he missed her. He looked around the room, and so many things reminded him of Josey.
The way she picked up the sculptures of horses and admired them. The way she ran her finger along the picture frame and remarked how much he looked like his father. Of course, the curtains.
Connor realized he didn’t even care about Colleen and Beau anymore. And at times, he longed to see Beau and find out what he was up to. His friend had started his own ranch. Maybe he’d mention it to Josey and see if she could invite him over.
The door opened, and Josey wheeled in the contraption. “Your wheels. I bet you are ready to get out of this room.” She threw some clothes at him. “And wear clothes. I can’t wait to see what you look like with pants on.”
His cheeks blazed hot as he pulled the sheet up. “How, I can’t stand.”
“Yes, you can stand. I’ll help you. Or, if you want, I can get Banjo to help. He offered and said it wasn’t fitting that I should see you in your naked glory.” She laughed. “That Banjo, he’s a funny one.”
Connor glared at her. “Yeah, I’d like Banjo to help me.”
“The first time, I’ll be in the room and telling Banjo how to help you. Soon, you’ll be able to do it on your own. Doc Runyon said your leg is doing fine.”
Connor didn’t want to ask her more about what the doc had said. He was afraid he’d limp for the rest of his life and be singled out as a cripple. The chair only proved it.
She looked at him and took his hand and felt for his pulse, but this time she held it longer and looked in his eyes. “You won’t even have a limp. You just wait and see.”
“How do you know that?”
“Oh, I have ways of knowing things.” She grinned. “I’ll get Banjo.” She pushed the chair away from the bed and set a lever that locked the wheels. Then she was gone.
Connor was excited and afraid. It had been so long since he’d been out of the room.
Then she was back with Banjo.
“Now, Banjo, you go and stand by the bed. Connor, you hang onto Banjo and stand. He can help you get your pants on. You can put your own shirt on. We’re going to eat with the family today, and I don’t think your brothers’ wife wants to see a man in his undergarments.”
She went to his side as he put his legs over the bed. She held onto him as he stood. “Now, I’ll hand you the pants. Hold onto me, and Banjo can help you put them on. There you go.” She left him in Banjo’s capable hands and went to get the chair.
“Now, we’ll ease you into the chair, and I’ll help you raise your leg onto the platform. There we go.” She pointed to the lever. “This is the brake. Always set it when you want to get out.”
Connor practically fell into the chair, but he was sitting up and dressed. He nodded. “Thanks, Banjo, Josey.”
She took her handkerchief and wiped beads of sweat from his forehead. “There. Don’t worry. It makes one clammy when they first get up.”
He caught her hand. “Thanks for telling me. I was beginning to think something else was wrong. I hate to be
weak.”
She squeezed his hand. “I can see that you’re a strong man, Connor Stark. Let’s go have dinner with the family. I told them to expect us at six, and we’ve got three minutes to make it down the hall.
She pushed his chair. “When you get stronger, probably tomorrow, you can push these wheels and make yourself go where you want. It will be nice to get some independence.”
“You have no idea.” He sat back and let her push him. His leg ached a little, but Josey said he could have some powder after dinner. Finally, she pushed him into the main dining room.
“Here we are. Introducing, Connor Stark.”
His father rose and pulled out a chair for Josey. “Good to see you, son. It’s been too long.”
Connor nodded. “Yes, it has.”
David, his oldest brother, grinned. “We aren’t going to have any flying plates, are we?”
Connor shook his head. “No, I feel much better.” He looked at his nurse. “Thanks to Josey.”
Victoria and Frederick brought out the roast and vegetables. Victoria smiled at Connor. “I am so happy to see you up. We were worried about you.”
Connor nodded. “I’m sorry I’ve been so much trouble. The food looks wonderful.”
Joseph Stark nodded. “I thought after dinner, we’d give you a rundown on what’s going on at the ranch.”
“I’d like that. I’d also like to pick out one of Spanish Bill’s colts. I’ll need to train a new horse.”
Joseph frowned. “I think for now, you should let one of the hands train the horse. We don’t need you to break another leg.”
Connor pounded the table. “I won’t be treated like a cripple.”
Joseph raised his hand. “Just for now. That break could have killed you. Doc Runyon said you were lucky.”
“Lucky? Is that what you call it? I lost my horse. Then lost my girl to my best friend. I guess if you’re counting bad luck, you can say I was lucky.” His and his father’s voices were rising. He could see Dave squeeze his wife’s hand. She was with child, and he protected her from the family screaming.
Josey tapped on her glass. “The food is wonderful. I think it best we enjoy the meal and then later talk about such things.” She smiled at Connor and then his father.
Joseph nodded. “You’re right.” He raised his glass. “To Connor’s return.”
Connor looked his father in the eye. Someday, they’d come to a showdown. They’d been headed to one when Connor had broken his leg. But someday, it would come. He raised his glass. “Thank you.”
***
Josey saw the tension that she’d suspected between Connor and his father. Connor never spoke about him to her. Not the troubles between them anyway. But she could feel the friction whenever the two were near one another.
Joseph was so austere, but mostly when he was talking about his youngest son. She’d seen him with David and Ben. He was comfortable with them. And they did everything their father asked of them without argument.
Today, at dinner, she’d seen the first blast of father and son. Like raging bulls, they countered on everything before them. How good was the pie? Who got the biggest piece? It didn’t matter, they were at odds.
Josey could see that Connor was worn out from the ordeal. She decided he’d eat in his room tonight. Probably breakfast too for a couple of days. She didn’t want him pushed over the edge because of trouble with his father or the ranch.
The father and son differences were so odd since they were so alike. She could see the softness of his mother in David and the warmth of his mother’s eyes in Ben. But Connor was Joseph Stark all over again. She wondered if anyone had told them but figured they had, and it could very well be what set them off against one another.
As soon as dinner was over, she commandeered Connor’s chair. “I think this has been enough for one day. We’ll see all of you tomorrow.”
Connor started to protest, and she popped him on the top of the head. “I have some things to do today, and I want you to have a good rest.
He must have been tired because he didn’t say anything. Neither did his family. Banjo followed her.
She smiled at him. “Thank you, Banjo. I will need some help. How are you feeling, Connor? Is the leg hurting?”
“Throbbing.”
It was all he said, but she knew it was more than his leg. She’d seen the pain in Connor’s eyes as well as his father’s. Josey felt for them and marveled at how she would have given anything to have a father. And yet, neither Father nor son understood what they had. She helped Connor to bed and grabbed a powder for him and held it up. “Do you need one of these?”
He looked at her and shook his head. “No, I need to get along without them.”
Josey knew what he was saying. Joseph considered it a sign of weakness. Pain was something to be taken and endured. She’d seen his kind at the hospital where she’d trained. Hard men who didn’t want to give in fought the help they needed.
While she admired their courage, she felt sorry that they denied the medicine. But she knew that Connor had other battles to fight. She checked his forehead to make sure he had no fever and felt his pulse. Everything was good.
“If you need me, ring the bell.”
He looked at her. “How can you be so happy all the time? Doesn’t anything bother you?”
She pulled up his covers. The day had turned cold, and the skies were dark blue signaling there’d be colder weather to come. “I suppose so, but I learned long ago to trust in the Lord. He takes care of me.”
Connor looked disgusted with her answer and turned over. “It looks like a Norther is on its way. Maybe we’ll get snow. It doesn’t happen a lot here, but it’s pretty when it does.”
“I love the snow. It’s so white and pure.” She went to the window and made sure it was closed tight. “Make sure we shut your curtains tonight. You sure don’t need to catch a cold.”
Connor nodded, but his eyes held a faraway look.
She turned down the light. “I’ll have Banjo light a fire in the fireplace later.” She gently shut the door and went to her room. Even with the secrets that they held from her and each other, she liked this family.
Josey checked the books on the shelf. Connor’s mother must have liked to read. She pulled one out and sat down on the cushioned settee by the window. She was glad there was a quilt because the air was definitely getting colder.
She opened the book and read the first page when there was a knock on the door. By the authoritative rap, she knew it must be Mr. Stark. “Come in.”
Joseph entered her room, gave a quick look around, and then nodded at her. “I hope you’re doing fine.”
Josey started to get up from her comfortable position, but he motioned her to sit.
“I just came to see if you were all right.”
“Fine. This is a lovely room.” Josey caught the quick flash of pain in his eyes. “If you want me to stay in a different room, I’ll understand.”
Joseph shook his head. “No, nothing like that. Sorry, if I said anything, it’s just that there are so many memories here.”
“Your wife must have been a lovely woman.” Josey held up the book. “And I like her taste in literature.”
Joseph nodded. “Feel free to read all you want. I have more books in my room if you run out.” He sat on a leather chair. A place she thought he must have sat countless times when talking with his wife. He cleared his throat. “Connor, how is he doing? Doc didn’t really say much.”
“I think he’s doing fine. Although he was reluctant to get in the chair, I think he will like the freedom it will give him. No fever. There is no more swelling, and he has good circulation throughout the leg. He’ll be up and around in no time.”
“How long?” Joseph looked down and clasped his hands. “I guess you can see that we don’t exactly get along. I’ve always pushed Connor. And I don’t want to push him to walk too soon. You will let me know when it’s time for him to stand.”
“Yes, I
will tell him and then you.” Josey smiled at the man. “You know he didn’t take the powder tonight. It’s nothing like morphine or heroin. But I think that was because he is your son.”
Joseph looked at her. “Good. I wouldn’t want him to become dependent on anything.”
“I don’t think you have to worry, but a broken femur is very painful. I’d say he’s almost over the hard part and should heal quickly from here on out.”
Joseph nodded and stood. “I just wanted to check in.” He looked at her fireplace. “I’ll have Banjo light the fire for you. It’s going to be cold tonight. My knees are saying we’ll have snow.”
She laughed. “Knees are exceptionally good indicators of weather. Mine haven’t quite learned yet, but I know many people who can tell the weather by aches and pains. Oh, have Banjo start the fire in Connor’s room, too.”
Joseph nodded and left her room.
Josey wondered if he’d go in and talk to his son. She listened for the door but heard nothing other than footsteps going down the hall.
She sat back on the lounge and wondered if her nursing duties included fixing broken hearts and families. She hated to see Joseph and Connor so at odds with one another.
Well, at least, she hadn’t broken anything since her first day. Nurse Harrow would be proud of her.
Chapter 7
Josey had fallen into a fitful sleep when the clock in the room struck the second hour and woke her. She laid on the bed and closed her eyes, but sleep would not return. Outside, the wind was blowing hard.
The gusts blowing through the trees reminded her of every significant event in her life. Somehow it seemed the wind always showed up. Her very first memory was when she was very young and standing alone in front of a building. The wind was blowing so hard that it nearly knocked her over.
She had apparently been too little to even know enough to be scared because she wasn’t crying. Josey remembered watching the leaves as they were pushed around by the swirling wind. And then Miss Sandoval had picked her up. It was her first day with the older lady, and the day she became Miss Sandoval’s. She was never adopted, but the old woman loved her as if Josey was her own.
A Nurse for Connor Page 4