A Nurse for Connor

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  She wasn’t about to wire Nurse Harrow and tell her of how she’d ruined her stay at the Stark’s by breaking a figurine of a beloved horse. Perhaps, if she found her own job with Dr. Runyon, that would suffice, and she’d never have to contact them.

  Josey was a bit worried about what Joseph and Connor would say to Dr, Runyon. Well, she’d find out. The Dr. was probably on his way to the Stark ranch to check Connor. The doctor would find that Connor’s leg was healing.

  Connor didn’t need her anymore. Or want her anymore. Breaking that figurine was the last straw. She’d seen the disappointment in his eyes and couldn’t bear the idea of being fired. Mr. Stark had found her with the broken pieces, and she’d seen his anger as well.

  The wagon hit a bump and she looked at Banjo.

  He was quiet and hadn’t argued with her. She was in the back of the carriage alone with her thoughts. She was sure Banjo wasn’t pleased with her, either. All he’d said to her was that she shouldn’t leave.

  How could something so good turn out so bad so quickly? Yet, that seemed to be the way her life went. One day she was Miss Sandoval’s girl, and the next she was back to being an orphan. Life shouldn’t be so hard.

  With a small grin, she nodded to the Lord. “I know that was foolish. You are my Shepherd.”

  “What did you say?” Banjo turned toward her.

  “Oh, nothing. Just mumbling to myself.” Josey couldn’t bring herself to talk to Banjo. Not that he appeared to want to talk to her either. Joseph must have told him what she’d done. At the very least, they’d have moved her from that room so she couldn’t break anything else.

  Tired of feeling sorry for herself, Josey thought how she would convince Dr. Runyon to hire her. She could clean up the office. Take in patients. Whatever he needed her to do, she’d do it willingly.

  Hopefully, she could keep from breaking things.

  Chapter 11

  Connor looked out the window and saw the doc’s buggy coming down the drive. He hoped he’d met Banjo and was bringing Josey back. He met Doc Runyon at the front door. “I’m ready for the crutches and to get on my feet.”

  Taking off his coat, Dr. Runyon smiled at him. “You’re looking good, Connor.” He turned around and took the crutches that he’d put by the door. “Are you ready to try these?”

  He looked past the doc but didn’t see anyone else. “Yes, sir. More than ready.”

  The doc looked around. “Where’s the nice nurse you had? You didn’t run her off, did you?”

  Connor frowned. “Not that I know of, but she left this morning. She was going to Waco.”

  “Well, maybe I’ll see her in town. I’d like to hire that girl. Now, you might be too weak to stand too long. The leg hurting you any?”

  “Not very much.” Connor grabbed for the crutches.

  “Wait until you stand. Joseph, if you’ll get on that side of him so we can support him.”

  Connor’s father helped him stand and held him up.

  The doc put the crutches under Connor’s arms. “Now, see if you can support yourself.”

  “Josey had me doing exercises for my arms, and she helped me bend my legs, so they aren’t stiff.” He held up his broken leg and moved the crutches forward. “I think I got the hang of it.”

  Doc Runyon watched him. “Good. You’ve got it. Don’t tire yourself out too much. But I won’t put any conditions on you. I will take the rest of that cast off in another week. Depending on how you do, I think you can start to put a little weight on that leg in a couple of weeks. If it doesn’t hurt, then we’ll go from there.”

  Joseph nodded. “Do you think he needs another nurse?”

  The doc looked at Connor and smiled. “No, I think he needs the one he had. I’ll try and hire that girl and bring her with me when I come out next. She’s one you shouldn’t have let get away.” He looked at Joseph. “Neither one of you. She brought life into this house.”

  Joseph nodded. “I didn’t ask her to go, she came to me and wanted to leave. I couldn’t keep her prisoner.”

  Connor looked at his father. There was a kindness in his voice that had been missing for years. Maybe Josey had helped his father, too. Yet, it didn’t matter. She was gone. “Doc, hire her if she comes in for a job. So, I know where to find her.”

  “Oh, I will. She’s a charmer that girl.” He tapped Connor on the arm. “And if you know what’s good for you, you’ll come and visit her and court that girl. Any man would be getting a jewel if he can win her heart. I thought you had a real chance, Connor. I saw the way she looked at you.”

  Connor wanted to believe him, but the way he’d treated Josey, he doubted it. So closed in on his own world, he’d been much like the greenhouse. Besides, he was nothing to look at just a wreck. Well, if he did get another chance, he would change that.

  He walked on his crutches down the hall and then went to the dining room. Father had asked the doc to stay for lunch, and he’d agreed, but first, they went into his father’s study. Connor knew his father was settling up the bill for his leg.

  Father was always generous. Connor was sure that his father would have taken care of Josey. Doc Runyon would, too. That he liked her was apparent. One thing he forgot to ask the doc was how soon he could ride.

  He walked into the dining room, and David and his family smiled.

  David walked over to him and pulled out a chair. “Glad to see you on your feet.”

  “Doc and Father will be coming.” Connor sat down and put the crutches by his side. It had taken a lot out of him, but he felt good. Josey had been smart to have him exercise his arms, or he’d have never made it.

  Soon, Father and Doc came into the room.

  Doc Runyon patted his belly. “I always love coming here for lunch.” He looked at Joseph. “We had good times, you and me and Elizabeth. I sure miss her. And I know you all do.”

  Father smiled. “Yes, I miss her. I’ve been thinking, though, it’s time to move on. Elizabeth wouldn’t have wanted me to grieve so long. I think I’ll open the greenhouse. Bring in some flowers. I bet you’d like that, Lucy. You can sit out there and enjoy the sun. It’ll be good for you and the baby.”

  Lucy smiled. “I’d love that very much. I’ve never even seen it.”

  Father nodded. “I know. My fault. I should have been looking after you and your wants and needs instead of keeping my head in the past.” He laughed. “Elizabeth would have my hide if she knew I’d acted in such a way.”

  Connor was surprised to hear his father. Since his mother had died, her name was rarely mentioned as it brought on his father’s dark anger. Probably his own if he was honest.

  Joseph Stark stood and raised his glass. “To a new era in the House of Stark. To life. Hope. And Joy. Elizabeth would have enjoyed that and demanded it.”

  “Here, here.” David cheered along with the rest of those around the table.

  Connor remained sitting, but he held his glass high. “To Mother.”

  Father smiled at him. “I’m sorry we’ve been so at odds. You get Josey back here when you can. We’ll let her plant the first plant in the greenhouse.”

  Connor nodded. Would she come back? He wasn’t sure. She’d taken it pretty hard when she’d broken the figurine. How he wanted to tell her that his mother would have laughed. He wanted to hear Josey laugh again.

  ***

  Josey climbed out of the buggy and thanked Banjo. He took her things into the hotel and helped her get a room.

  Banjo shook her hand. “If you need anything, let us know. I think you should have stayed at Stark Ranch, but you have your own life to live.”

  She nodded. Then added in her thoughts, and my own things to break. First thing tomorrow, she’d talk to Dr. Runyon and see if he would hire her. She did not relish the idea of going back to Baltimore with her story of breaking priceless heirlooms. How could she always be so clumsy?

  In the hotel, she put her things away in the wardrobe and watched the street below. Yes, there were wild cowboys,
but they stayed mostly near the saloons. The main street was full of people. Families, women, and children. Josey smiled. It had been a bit of a hardship staying at the Stark Ranch where everything and one seemed to border on gloom. The big house sat like a brooding giant over the land.

  They really needed to paint it in bright colors. White with green or blue trim. Something welcoming.

  She opened the window and enjoyed the breeze. Perhaps she’d go out and buy some new clothes. If the doctor hired her, she could wear her uniform, but if not, she wanted to look like the rest of the citizens of Waco.

  She sat on the bed and thought of the elegant room she’d had at the Stark’s. This hotel room was beautiful but not comforting and peaceful like the room she’d had for two months. Elizabeth’s room had been the one bright place in Stark house.

  Josey thought of Connor. He should be able to hobble on crutches. She hoped Doc Runyon would get him on his feet soon. Connor would do fine. She’d seen to the exercises for his leg, and he had the full range of motion in his knees. And she’d shown him how to exercise his arms, so he’d be strong enough to walk on the crutches. Yes, he’d be up and going as soon as Doc got the crutches to him.

  Joseph had been most generous to her and had even explained how he’d added more to the agreed upon amount. She tried to pay him for the heirloom and the horse statue, but he’d declined. It’s funny, she thought Joseph acted more peaceful than at any time since she’d arrived.

  That added another gloomy thought. It didn’t say much for her if clients were happy to see her go. After all, perhaps Joseph’s calm demeanor was because she was leaving, and his house and figurines would be safe from her clumsy ways.

  She would miss Connor the most. She had just felt as if they had reached some sort of common ground. But that was over now. Broken by her clumsiness. She’d probably not see him again.

  Her biggest hope was that Doc Runyon would hire her to help at his office. He’d complimented her once. Of course, if the Starks told of her breakage, the doc might decline. With a sigh, she laid on the bed and fell asleep.

  Screaming from the room below woke her. She looked around her room and then grabbed her shawl and her bag. She was a nurse and could help if needed. She ran down the stairs.

  She found the room and knocked on the door. “Can I help?”

  A man rushed out of the room. “Please, my wife. She’s having a baby.”

  Josey had helped in two deliveries at the hospital. She went inside and saw that the woman was in a lot of distress. She took the husband’s arm. “Go downstairs and have the clerk send for Doctor Runyon. Hurry. I’m a nurse, and I’ll do what I can.”

  With a quick glance at his wife, the man then turned and ran down the stairs.

  Josey took off her shawl and laid it on the chair by the door. “Let me have a look. How long have the pains been coming?”

  The woman huffed and puffed but manage to squeak out the answer in between. “Fifteen … minutes.”

  Josey washed her hands, and then felt the woman’s stomach and thought the baby was in the correct position. “I believe your baby is ready to come. When the doctor gets here, he’ll examine you and make sure the cord isn’t around the baby’s neck.”

  The woman screamed, but the baby didn’t move. Josey lifted the covers. There was blood. Too much. She felt for the baby and found his neck. The cord was around the neck. “Don’t push.”

  She unwrapped the cord and prayed it hadn’t been too tight for long.

  The woman’s husband barged back in the room. “How is she.”

  “I had to remove the cord from the baby’s neck. Go and get us some hot water and blankets.”

  Josey sat with the woman and prayed. Assuring her that she’d removed the cord. Josey looked and saw the baby’s head. “He’s coming.”

  Doc Runyon came into the room. “Let’s get this little one born. How are you doing?”

  “Get the baby out!” The woman screamed.

  Doc Runyon nodded. “That’s what is about to happen. Here he comes. Josey, get me a blanket.”

  Josey handed him a blanket, and in minutes, the baby slid out.

  He handed her the baby. “A fine little boy. Josey, clean him, and make sure he’s breathing.”

  She held the child and rubbed him down. He was breathing fine and didn’t look like the cord had done any damage as it hadn’t even left a mark, and he was a healthy pink. She got him cleaned and dried and then held him while the doctor cut the cord.”

  Josey took the baby to the mother so she could see. “He’s beautiful.”

  The mother, her screams gone, smiled as she took the infant. “Steven Brandon, welcome to the world.”

  The father went to his wife’s side and put his hands on both Mother and child and prayed a blessing over them.

  The seen was so tender and holy. Josey stepped away and watched, agreeing with the prayer that this child not face any of the hardship that she’d had. Tears stung her eyes as Josey realized the things she’d lost.

  Never knowing her mother or father. Miss Sandoval had been a godsend, but that ache of not knowing her parents had always stayed in Josey’s heart as if it were an unknown hole that could never be filled. She realized it must hurt terribly to lose a parent as Connor had. But to have never known one, it was like an open abyss that could never be filled.

  Finally, Doc Runyon was finished. “I’m glad you came and got me when you did. There was a tear, and she could have bled to death. Good work, Josey. And the husband told me that you took the cord from around the baby’s neck. I sure hope you came here to ask me for a job.”

  She nodded. “Yes, if you’d be so good as to hire me. I promise to do what you tell me, no more or less.”

  “Nonsense. You’ve got good instincts with medicine. Why you got Connor on his feet way before I thought he would be. There was a time I thought we might even lose him. It wasn’t until you came on the scene that he changed for the better.”

  Josey’s cheeks burned. “Thank you, Doctor.”

  “I mean it. I left the Starks, and Connor was hobbling along on those crutches because of the exercises you gave him. He’ll be riding and walking on that leg before long. So yes, I want you to work for me. Come in tomorrow at nine. But first,” He took her arm. “We’re going to have dinner. My treat.”

  Josey followed his lead and walked down the stairs with him. “You’re so kind.”

  “Nonsense. I know a good thing when I see it.” He pointed. “Right through those doors.”

  Josey shoved open the door and heard the familiar sound of falling plates. She froze and shuddered to think about what she’d done. Again.

  “Oh, no. I am so sorry. I didn’t see anyone coming.”

  The doc opened the door revealing the mess. The waiter had coffee and stew down his jacket. “You ought to watch next time you come with a tray like that. It’s not your fault, Josey.”

  She nodded and tried to smile. Josey grabbed a napkin and started wiping it when Doc Runyon pulled her aside. “Here now, let’s get us a table. That’s not your doing.”

  He led her to a table. She sat and tried to control her shaking hands. The crazy thought came to her that maybe that’s why her parents got rid of her. Perhaps, she broke dishes as a small child.

  “I don’t know why I am so clumsy.”

  Doc Runyon frowned. “That wasn’t your fault.”

  “You might as well know; I broke dishes while at the hospital in training. I broke things at the Stark’s house. Important things like figurines his wife had made. Oh, Doc, I’m so clumsy. You probably don’t want me working for you.”

  Doc Runyon laughed. “You’re a very accomplished nurse. A few broken dishes or statues are nothing compared to the gift that you have. Trust me on that. Besides, I was at the Stark’s today, and they didn’t mention you breaking things. In fact, they missed you. Terribly.”

  “Really?” She hoped so. Still, there were times when she relived the moment the horse figurine
broke. Connor’s blue eyes glaring at her, followed by Joseph’s even more piercing glare. No, she’d ruined her time at the Stark’s. She doubted they’d let her in again.

  Chapter 12

  Connor could put weight on his leg now. Not much, but enough to get around with only one crutch. He was gaining strength by the day and counted the time that he was free to go to Waco and find Josey.

  Times with his father had eased some. Yet, there was still something between them. Whenever they were in the same room together, it was like some wall went up. Connor wanted to be close to him, but at the same time, felt as if they had some kind of war going on between them.

  Father had opened the greenhouse and had the windows replaced. Lucy and David spent time fixing up the small room and had planted a few seeds that were just beginning to come up. Connor was happy for them.

  That had been his mother’s room where he had special memories with her. Father didn’t seem to mind and spent more time in the greenhouse. Connor couldn’t bring himself to go there. The memories were too painful.

  Watching his father with David and Lucy made Connor feel jealous for his mother. It settled his decision that once he was strong enough, he’d leave the ranch. It had been so long since he worked on the ranch, that he didn’t think anyone would mind.

  This morning, he’d seen his father in the greenhouse with David. The old feelings of anger had returned. Whatever ground they’d made up, was now lost. Angry, Connor stormed down the hall and found Banjo.

  “Hitch up the buggy for me. I’m going to Waco for a few days.”

  Banjo grinned. “About time. Want me to drive you?”

  Shaking his head, Connor grabbed a jacket. “No, I can handle the team. The livery will unharness them and hitch them up when I’m ready to leave.”

  “You going to bring Josey back?”

  Connor stared at him. “I don’t think so. She wanted to leave. It’s not my place to tell her different.”