A Nurse for Connor

by Patricia Pacjac Carroll

  Sadness reflected in Banjo’s eyes. “I’ve been hoping things were better between you and your father.”

  “No, they aren’t. I’d like to leave in a half-hour.” Connor didn’t wait for an answer but hobbled down to his room. He’d pack a few things and then leave. He didn’t plan to tell his father.

  He stopped at the table by his bed. Josey’s bell was still sitting on it. He picked it up. He could take it to her. He threw it in his bag and walked down the hall to the front door.

  He didn’t want to see anyone. He couldn’t explain what he had to do, but it was in his heart to see Josey and find out why she’d left. Had he done something, said something to her to run her off?

  When the doc had talked about her, Connor had to admit, he did have feelings for the woman. He slapped the bag in his hand, making the bell ring. He cared for her. Had all along but had been too bull-headed to admit it.

  Josey had brought life to the Stark house. Made him and his father smile. Something that had rarely happened since his mother’s death. Well, it was time he did something about it.

  He stepped outside just as Banjo drove the rig up to him.

  “You sure you can handle the horse and buggy with that leg?”

  “It’s my leg, not my arms or head. I’ll be fine.” He patted the crutches. “I have these with me in case the horses get away. I’ll be in Waco tonight. I’ll be back in a few days.”

  Banjo helped him in the buggy. “Let me get you a couple canteens. Just in case.”

  Connor nodded. It would have been foolish to drive off without any. Good old, Banjo. The man had looked out for him for as long as he could remember.

  Soon, Banjo was back with the canteens and some jerky. “It’s always good to be prepared. There’s a blanket in the back. You take care, boy. I sure wish you’d let me at least ride along with you to town. I could leave and come back to the ranch.”

  “No, this is something I need to do on my own.”

  Banjo glared at him. “Just like your father. You don’t need anyone, do you, Connor?”

  It seems like he’d heard Josey say those words a time or two. He stared at Banjo. “Why do you say that?”

  “It’s the truth you believe. But you’re wrong, Connor. No man is good, all alone. We all need someone to help us from time to time.” Banjo put a hand on his knee. “But you go ahead. When you find out you need someone, I just hope it’s not too late.”

  Connor stared at him. “I’ll be fine.” He slapped the reins and drove the buggy away from Stark house. It was a calm, fall day. Warmer than usual and not a cloud in the sky. He’d be in town before nightfall. And maybe he could see Josey and find out what had gone wrong.

  Still, Banjo’s words echoed in the air and accentuated the loneliness.

  Chapter 13

  Josey dressed and went to Doc’s office. It was a beautiful day. Not a cloud in the sky. But for some reason, her mood was troubled. Unusual for her, especially on such a beautiful day. It had been over two weeks since she’d quit the Stark job, and she thought she was on her way to a new life without thinking about the gloomy house. But today, her mind had turned to Connor and the gloom had returned.

  She had yet to send a letter to Nurse Harrow to let her know she’d taken a job with Doc Runyon. Josey just couldn’t bring herself to admit she’d broken expensive irreplaceable heirlooms.

  Mr. Stark had been very gracious to pay her and not take the money from her wages. When she’d gone in his office, she’d expected to leave with a bill. Josey sighed. It all added to her embarrassment and sense of failure.

  “Dr. Runyon, I’m here.” She opened the door and entered the small office. With a grimace, she saw that he’d removed all his breakables and put them on high shelves. Yes, he’d said he had done it because of the children. But before he’d hired her, they had been on the lower shelves.

  The doc came out of his study. “Oh, Josey. So glad you’re here early today. Tomorrow, I think I’ll run out to the Stark house to see how Connor is doing. Want to come with me?” He shook his head. “Better yet, count on coming with me. I get lonely on the ride all the way out there.”

  “Doc, they don’t want me around. Not after I broke those heirlooms.”

  “Now, that’s not the sense I got the last time I visited. Both Joseph and Connor seemed to be in lighter moods.”

  Josey frowned. “See, I wasn’t there, and they were happier.”

  “No, no. Nothing like that. Joseph and Connor didn’t seem to be at each other’s throats like they used to be.”

  “Well, unless you really need me, I’d rather stay here. Neither of them wants me at the ranch. I caused too much trouble between them. Besides, there is the problem of me breaking things.”

  Shaking his gray head of wild hair, Dr. Runyon gave up. “Well, today, we’re going to check on the Davis family. As you remember, one of the boys had the measles. I’m sure it’s gone through the household by now. Mr. Davis wasn’t sure if he’d had them or not, and measles can be quite serious for an adult.”

  “Good, I’ll get the bag ready. I had the measles when I was nine. Miss Sandoval stayed up late into the night with me to get the fever down. I remember itching and feeling so bad.”

  The doc smiled. “I’m glad to hear that. I wouldn’t take you if you didn’t remember having them. But we won’t go until a little later. Two or three. They don’t live far from here.”

  “What do you have for me to do now?”

  The doc looked around. “Nothing really. You’ve made the rooms sparkle.”

  Pleased that he’d noticed her hard work, she sat on the bench beside the window. “It’s a beautiful day, but the air feels strange. I have a brooding sense that something is going to happen. Something not good.”

  The doc looked up at her. “You do. Well, is that something you have had before?”

  Josey shook her head. “Yes, once before Miss Sandoval died. I was seventeen and about to turn eighteen. The day had started nice, but as it went on, darkness flooded the sky. I was at school and felt a terrible shaking. When I got home, I discovered she’d died.”

  “Umm, well, let’s not borrow trouble. Could be just a change in the weather.” He ducked his head and looked up into the sky. “There are some high clouds pushing down from the north. It’s going to be a warm day, so that could bring trouble when the two forces meet. Perhaps that is what you’re feeling.”

  Josey nodded. “More than likely.” She wanted it to be the weather. She certainly didn’t want to lose anyone she cared about. Then again, she had so few people left to lose. Her parents and Miss Sandoval were gone.

  All that was left were acquaintances. Perhaps Dr. Runyon, but she couldn’t bear to think of anything happening to her boss and friend. The Starks, Connor was close to her heart, but she hadn’t heard a word from him, so it must have been a one-way friendship.

  Anyway, she would just shake off the feeling. The sun was shining, and there was nothing to worry about as. She was probably feeling moody because of the doc talking about Connor. She really did miss him. And she did admit that part of her had hoped for something more with him.

  The door to the clinic opened. “Doc here?”

  She looked at the man and the child in his arms. “Yes, let me get him. Please, go to the first room. What seems to be the problem?” Josey followed the man inside.

  “My boy, he’s been snake bit.”

  “Oh, dear. Do you know what kind of snake?”

  “Rattler. I heard him, called out to my boy, but the snake struck him.” He pointed to the boy’s left ankle that was already swollen and purple.

  “I’ll be right back.” She ran up the stairs to get Doc from his room. Poor child. Snake bites could kill a grown man. “Dr. Runyon, hurry. A boy has been bitten by a rattlesnake.”

  Dr. Runyon put down the journal he was reading and stood. “No sense to run and get hurt. Calm down.” He followed her down the stairs.

  Once in the room, he examined the boy�
��s foot. The swelling had stopped, and while the wound was painful, the boy didn’t look in terrible distress. “Get me the ammonia, and we’ll clean the wound and pour it on the bite mark.”

  The boy’s father paced back and forth. “Then what?”

  Doc Runyon looked at him and felt the boy’s head. “I think he’ll be fine. Could be the snake didn’t shoot much venom in him.” He cut a strip of cloth and tied it around the top part of the ankle where the swelling and discoloring stopped. “We’ll watch and see if the bruising advances. Keep him still and the leg up. Most cases of snakebite heal on their own.”

  Josey admired the doctor’s calm demeanor and his ability to quiet the frantic father.

  “Doc, I got three more kids at home, and my wife’s expecting another. Is there any way that I can leave and go be with her?”

  Doc Runyon stared at the man and checked his watch. “Tell you what, I’ll do you one better. Josey can stay with your boy. She’s an excellent nurse, and I’ll go with you to your house and see how your wife is doing. You’re new to these parts, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, sir.” He held out his hand. “I’m Jack Warden. That’s Billy, and my wife is Aggie. She’s due to have the baby any day, and this morning she was having pains. I hated to leave her.”

  “I’ll get my bag and my buggy. Billy is in good hands, and we’ll see if we can’t coax that little one to come.”

  “Uh, Doc, I don’t have money to pay you. Not for the snake bite or the baby.”

  Doc put a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t you worry about that. I’ll meet you outside.” Doc went to get his bag, but Josey had it ready for him.

  She handed it to him. “Any instructions on the boy?”

  “I think he’ll be fine. Keep the leg up and watch the poison. If a red line goes up his leg, send someone to come and get me. But I don’t think it will.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Josey, I’m not worried one bit about the boy. Or you, watching over him. I’ll be back when I can.”

  She nodded. “All right. I’ll take care of things here.”

  Josey watched them leave and then went in to sit with the boy. He was scared and trying not to cry. She washed his face and kept the cold cloth on his head. “The doctor said there was nothing to worry about.”

  “It hurts.”

  “I bet it does.”

  The boy attempted a grin. “That snake won’t bite again. Pa shot him clean in two.”

  “Good. I’m glad you won’t have to worry about that old snake again.”

  With tears moistening his eyes, Billy raised up to look at his ankle. “Will you have to take off my foot?”

  Josey grinned. “Definitely not.” She pulled off the cloth she’d set over it. “Why look, the swelling and black and blue hasn’t gone up any.”

  Billy looked and nodded. “What does that mean?”

  “I think it means that as soon as your father gets back, you’ll be able to go home with him.” She went to the window and shut the curtains. But as she looked out, she saw clouds to the southwest. They were dark and angry with flashes of lightning.

  “It looks like we might get some rain.” She shut the window. “You rest. I’ll be in the other room if you need anything.”

  Josey went outside and closed the shutters. That feeling of foreboding had not gone away, and now looking at the clouds, she had an idea that perhaps it was the weather. The air was still warm and sticky for this time of the year.

  She wiped perspiration from her forehead. She was just about to go back inside the office when she heard her name called.

  A smile forced its way to her lips. Connor was driving the buggy toward her. “Connor.” She waved excitedly, suddenly feeling happy again.

  He stopped the horse and stepped down from the buggy. Turning back, he grabbed a crutch and hobbled to her. “Josey, I’ve missed you.”

  All she could do was smile. She was so pleased to see him, and that he’d sought her out. Then she wondered if he was here only to see Doc Runyon. “The doc isn’t here.”

  Connor stood in front of her with an awkward grin. “I came to find you. Can you go to dinner?”

  “I have a patient I’m in charge of, but you can help me while I wait for the doc to return. He’s with the boy’s father helping them with a new baby.”

  “I see. Do you mind if I sit with you? I’ve missed you. A lot. I’ve thought and thought about what I must have done to cause you to leave—”

  “No, it wasn’t you. I broke the statue your mother made of your horse. I felt bad, and there was no way I could replace it. I knew you were angry as well as your father.” She stepped away from him.

  Connor stepped nearer her. “It was just a figurine. Neither Father nor I was mad. Well, maybe at first, but after that initial shock, we didn’t care.”

  “You’re sure? I saw the look in your eyes. The same one I saw not ten minutes later in your father’s eyes. That’s why I quit. The doc has been kind enough to hire me. I’ve broken a couple of things, but Doc put the most important things up high.” She pointed to the high shelf.

  Connor took her by the arms. “Josey, we both missed you. The whole family.” He brought her closer to him. “But I missed you the most.”

  She wanted to melt into his arms, but she stayed back. It wasn’t proper. Not here in public.

  “Josey come back with me. I need you.”

  “No, you don’t. Look at you, you’re probably walking without a crutch. Does your leg hurt?”

  He shook his head. He went to the buggy and pulled out his bag and opened it. “You left your bell. I rang it hoping you’d come. I need you.”

  “Connor, you were my patient—”

  “I don’t want you to come back as my nurse. I like you. I want to show you things. Teach you to ride. And more.”

  “I have a job with Doc Runyon.”

  A gust of cold wind blew sand down the street and into their faces.

  Josey shielded her eyes. “We better go inside.”

  Connor looked up and pointed. “Let’s go.” He pulled her to him and shoved open the door. “We need to get your patient.”

  Josey turned back and looked outside. A dark gray wall of clouds was racing toward town. “What is it?”

  Connor unharnessed the horse. “Get inside. The weather’s turning on us.” He pushed her inside. “Does Doc have a cellar?”

  “No, I don’t think so.” She looked around. “Billy, the little boy in the room. We need to get him.” Josey ran to the first examination room.

  Connor hobbled in after her. “Is there a room with no windows, a closet?”

  Josey picked up Billy and nodded. “Follow me.”

  A gust of wind hit the shutters and blew open the door.

  Josey looked outside, and the sky was dark and green, and as she watched, a snake-like cloud struck the ground sending debris into the air. Josey turned to cover Billy’s face.

  Connor limped to the door and slammed it shut. “Let’s go.”

  “This way, she hurried down the hall to a closet. “In here. I think It’s big enough.”

  Connor squeezed in beside her and held her. “Hold on.”

  Josey heard what sounded like a train bearing down upon them as loud, pounding hail and fierce wind battered the building. A cracking sounding exploded over their heads, and in seconds, the roof was gone.

  Rain pelted them as the air was filled with pieces of wood. Connor held her down and covered her with his own body.

  Billy was whimpering as Josey held him and pushed away pieces of debris.

  And then it was over. Quiet reined and seemed as noisy and out of place as the twister had been.

  Connor threw off boards from his back. “Are you all right?”

  Josey looked into his dark blue eyes. She didn’t see anger but love. “Thanks to you.”

  Connor stood and knocked off more debris from around them. “It’s still raining. He took off his coat and held it over her head. “How’s the
boy?”

  “He’s fine. Aren’t you, Billy?”

  “I guess so. What a day. A snakebite and a tornado.”

  Josey felt his forehead, and it was cool. She set the boy down and stood beside Connor. What she saw sent chills through her. Buildings were smashed as if a giant had grown angry and thrown them down.

  Connor looked around and limped toward where the door had been. “The tornado went straight through town. You better find your bag.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t see anything familiar.” She walked to the front of the building and tried to picture the desk she’d put her bag on, but everything was flattened while shattered boards were scattered everywhere.

  Connor bent down and pulled up her bag. “Here it is.” He handed it to her. “Let’s find a place to put the boy.”

  Josey went back and picked up Billy and followed Connor to the street. People were coming out of wrecked buildings—the saloon down the street, the general store, and Ida’s Boarding House.

  Connor looked around. “Let’s take him down the street. The café looks undamaged.”

  Josey nodded and tried to carry the boy, but he was getting heavier.

  Connor took him from her and carried him.

  “Your leg?”

  “It’s all right. I can limp.” He looked at her. “You’ve got your bag, go to the damaged buildings and help those who need it. I’ll find you after I take Billy to the café.”

  Josey nodded and ran down to the store. Already, she could see several people being brought out and placed on the ground. She went to them and assessed their injuries.

  Mr. Douglas had a broken leg. She cut away his pants to expose the jagged break. “Doc Runyon will have to set this.” She stopped a man she didn’t know. “Go inside and get some sheets and blankets.”

  She knelt back down and examined the leg to make sure no arteries had been cut. There was some blood but not enough to worry her. “Give this man some of this powder in a cup of water.” She handed a bag of the powder to another stranger.

  Farther down the street, she saw a rough-looking man laid out in the street. By the look of him, she knew it was too late. Still, she knelt and felt for a pulse. None. She took a sheet and covered his face.