The next one was a woman, a saloon girl by her clothing. She was sitting up and holding her arm.
Josey knelt beside her. “You have a nasty bump on your head.” She put a cloth to the wound and then tied a bandage around it.
“My arm.” She moaned and looked toward the dead man. “Is he dead?”
Josey examined her arm. “Your arm is broken. Dr. Runyon will set it for you.” She helped the woman lie down. “Easy. Yes, I’m afraid he’s dead. Did you know him well?”
“I worked with him for five years. Allan. What am I going to do without him?” Tears welled up in her eyes.
Josey hugged the woman’s good shoulder. “All I know is the Lord will see us through whatever comes our way. You may not see the path clearly now, but He will show you. Would you like me to pray with you?”
The woman shook her head. “No, no, I don’t think he’d want to hear from me. I’ve done too many bad things.”
Josey took her hand. “This, I know. Jesus loves you. All the Lord’s children have sinned and fallen away, but God is faithful and waiting for them to come back. Call out to Jesus. He will save you.”
The woman nodded. “I’ll do that. Alone if you don’t mind.”
Josey smiled. “I’ll be praying for you.” She left her and went down the row and came to another man who was dead. Then to one who was unconscious. She was almost to the end of one row when Connor hobbled toward her.
“I got Billy situated. Gladys at the café is watching him. He should be fine. When I left, he was digging into a peach pie.”
Josey laughed. “That should satisfy him.” She stood and held onto Connor. “So many people hurt. Some dead.”
He turned her face to his. “And you’re here to help them. Where’s the doc?”
“He went with Billy’s father to deliver a baby. I hope they weren’t in the tornado.”
Connor looked around. A bright rainbow lit the sky to the east. “He’s probably safe. You said he went west. Do you need someone to go get him?”
She nodded. “Yes, there are injuries that I can’t help. A badly broken leg. Broken ribs.” She looked at him. “I feel like I am not doing any good.”
“You’re doing great. These people need you.” He looked at her. “I need you.”
At his words, she looked at him. “Connor, I thought you were so angry with me.”
“Josey, you brought life to me and my father. When you’re done here, I’d like you to come back.”
She pointed at his leg. “You don’t need me anymore. Your leg is nearly healed. In a few more weeks, you won’t even limp.”
“Josey, I need you for me. Not my leg. Not as my nurse.”
She stared at him. “But I have a job here.”
“I’d like to court you. See how we do together.” He held her hand.
A man grabbed her arm. “Miss, Nurse. We need you down here. Hurry.”
Josey stared at Connor but followed the man.
A young man had a jagged wound in his side and a piece of wood sticking out of him.
Josey knelt beside him. “Let me see. Hold him still.”
The man held his friend.
“The doctor should be back shortly.”
“Miss, he’s going to die if you don’t get that wood out of him. Please. You’re his only chance.”
Josey looked at Connor, who had followed behind her.
Connor put a hand on her shoulder. “You can help him. Tell me what you need me to do.”
“Hold him. Both of you.”
She felt around the edges of the splintered board. It didn’t seem to be in any of his organs. The board was small, where it had entered the man’s side. “I think if I pull it out, we can wash the wound and bandage him up, so he won’t lose so much blood.”
The man looked at her and grabbed her hand. “Pull it out. It hurts something fierce.”
Josey called for some water and bandages. “I should wait until the doctor is back. He could do a better job.”
The man’s friend shook his head. “There’s no time for that. He’ll bleed to death if you do nothing.”
Josey nodded. “Hold him.” She pulled on the long splinter of wood. Once it was out, she washed the wound. She stitched where she could and then put the bandage tightly around the wound.
“You can lay him down now.”
His friend eased him to the ground. “What do you think? Does he have a chance?”
Josey looked at her patient. “I pray he does. I’m just a nurse.”
In minutes, she was called across the street to start on another long line of patients. Before nightfall, she stopped and looked at Connor, who had been at her side the entire time. “We need to get the patients inside. Is there a building large enough?”
Connor pointed to the church on the street over. “We can put the patients on a pew or on the floor.”
“Good idea.” She stood up and clapped her hands. “People let’s move the injured to the church. And some of you run and get more blankets.”
The town went into action, and soon, all the injured were in the church. Someone started a fire to warm up the air as it had turned cold. Another came in with loads of blankets.
Josey sat down for a moment.
Connor sat beside her. “Are you tired?”
She nodded. “But I have to go on. There are so many.” She thought back to Nurse Harrow and the stories she’d told of the war and how the wounded were in an endless line that never went away.
Josey thought back to the classes. How they were taught to care for the patients, and suddenly, it all made sense. Perhaps she wasn’t the best student and had broken many dishes in her time, but she had cared for her patients. And now, she looked at the church and the twenty or more people who needed her.
“I’ll help them. It’s my calling.”
Connor nodded. “Let me know what to do.”
She smiled at him, stood, and pushed him down. “Right now, you rest your leg. I know you haven’t been up much, and I don’t want you to get sick.”
Josey started at one end of the church and checked on her patients. Most were doing better. She was worried about the one with the badly broken leg along with the man who she’d pulled the wooden splinter out of. There was another woman with a bad head injury, and she had yet to regain consciousness.
She worked throughout the night.
At one point, almost midnight, Connor brought her food from the café. And Billy. He was feverish, and his leg was swollen to the knee.
Josey sat down and sighed. “I don’t know what else to do.” Tears welled up in her eyes, but she wouldn’t cry in front of Billy. The boy was frightened enough.
Connor smiled. “Billy will be fine.” He sat down by the boy. “You know, I had a dog that got snake bit once, right on the tip of his nose. Doby, we called him. His nose was so swollen that the end of his nose looked like a ball.”
Billy stared at him. “What happened to him?”
“It took a few days, but gradually, his nose got smaller until, after a few days, no one could tell he’d been bitten. Didn’t bother him at all.”
“Really?”
Connor nodded at the boy. “So, don’t you worry. You’re bigger than Doby was, and he did fine.”
Billy smiled and closed his eyes.
Josey covered him with a blanket. “His fever has gone down. I sure hope Doc is on his way back.”
Connor went with her to check the patients. He pointed out several things that Josey missed. At the end of the row, he stopped, and she bumped into him. He caught her and stared into her eyes.
“Connor.” That was the only word she could get out of her mouth. She’d been clumsy and almost knocked him down. But now, she didn’t want him to let her go. His arms around her were warm while his gaze unlocked feelings she’d kept hidden.
“Josey, I’ve been thinking. All my life, I never fit in with the ranch. Mother knew it and tried to help me find what it was I might want to do, but she died when
I was ten. I always enjoyed doctoring my dogs and horses.”
“Connor.” She tried again, but only his name would come out.
He put a finger to her lips. “I’m going to talk to Doc Runyon about being a doctor.” He looked over the patients. “Something deep inside me is telling me this is what I was made to do.”
She saw the light in his eyes. “You’re a natural. I saw the calm way you helped the patients. The things you pointed out to me. I’m sure Doc will help you. He’s been talking about finding someone to take over his practice.”
The light in his eyes changed, and he kissed her. A quick kiss, but the passion was real. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. Josey, I want to court you.”
She smiled.
The door to the church opened, and Doc Runyon entered.
Josey pulled away from Connor and felt as if she’d been caught doing something wrong. Had she broken some rule?
Chapter 14
Connor helped Dr. Runyon check the patients. He was amazed at the excellent work she’d done. Finally, after the last patient had been looked over, Doc Runyon sat down at the back of the church.
“I’m glad you came in when you did. Between the two of you, you and Josey saved the lives of at least five of those people. You two should be proud of yourselves.” He rubbed his jaw. “Connor—”
“Doc, I’d like to learn medicine. I’ve had time to think about things while being on my back. I think that could be the cause of the problems I have with my father. I don’t know if he’ll understand or not, but after helping Josey, I know this is what I’m supposed to do. If you’ll have me.”
Doc Runyon patted his knee. “Delighted to have you. It will be a lot of hard work. You’ll have to move into town. Although by the looks of it, that’s going to be hard because so many buildings were damaged. I’m not even sure where I’ll be living and have my practice.”
“Sorry, Doc. Your office was hit hard. We hid out in the closet, but not much else is standing.”
The older man nodded. “I know. I drove by it on the way to the church.”
Josey had nodded off and was leaning against Connor.
Doc pointed at her. “And Josey? Does she fit into your plans?”
Connor grinned. “I hope so. I asked to court her. She doesn’t have any family.”
Doc Runyon shook his head. “Yes, she does. She has me. And I heartily give my permission. In fact, let’s find her a blanket and let her get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be another busy day. By the way, how is your leg?”
“A little sore, but nothing I can’t handle. I lost my crutch somewhere. Tornado probably blew it into the next county.”
Doc laughed. “Well, help me get her settled, and we’ll look for a piece of floor to lay on.”
Connor found a blanket and covered Josey. As he scooted her down so she could stretch out on the bench, she didn’t even stir. He couldn’t get over how lucky a man he was to find such a jewel.
His own excitement at finding what he was called to do was hampered by the need for sleep. He found Doc at the back and sat down and leaned against the wall. Tomorrow would be another hard day.
Doc had said some of the ranches and farms around could have casualties, and someone needed to check on them. But they’d stay here and tend the injured and let others bring them into town.
Connor wondered about his father. How he would take the news that his youngest son wasn’t going to be working on the ranch. Well, after all these years of not getting along, Connor was ready for his father’s reaction.
Soon, he fell asleep.
***
Josey awoke. Saw the blanket on her and sat up to see where Connor and Doc had gone. The sun was just coming up over the hill, and people were stirring. Groans and moans here and there called to her heart.
She got up and washed her face and hands. Then she set about checking the patients. First on her list was Billy. His foot looked better, and the swelling was down. She agreed with Doc Runyon that the boy didn’t get the full blast of the venom.
She’d started down the row when Connor called to her.
Turning, she saw him limping toward her but on his own. His crutch was gone.
“You shouldn’t be up and working. Doc went down to the café to get breakfast. He already checked on the worst.”
“I heard them. The patients.”
Connor put his hands on her shoulders to stop her. “That’s why you’re such a good nurse.”
She laughed. “Even if I break things?”
“You break them because you’re in a rush to help others. Nothing wrong with that.”
Josey took one of his hands and held it in hers. “Did you talk to Doc about studying under him?”
He nodded. “And after I learn enough, he’ll arrange for me to go to medical school. But I’ll only go on one condition.”
“What’s that.” She was already grinning. She knew before he could say it.
“That you go with me as my wife. We make a good team, Josey. More than that, though, I love you. I think I knew it that first day when you walked into my room and grabbed my hand.”
“You did? Well, I’ll have you know it took me a day or two to realize that I had more than medical feelings for you. Thought about you when I went to sleep. Dreamed about you.” She sighed. “Yes, I do think the Lord put us together. Sorry, He had to break your leg.”
Connor held her close. “I don’t mind at all. It brought you to me.”
Josey looked around and gave him a quick kiss. “Connor, court me fast.”
***
Connor and Josey had taken care of patients all morning. He was tired, and his leg ached, but he was genuinely content. His love for Josey grew by the minute, and by the look on her face, he was barely keeping up with her.
They’d lost one patient. He’d never regained consciousness, but Doc had told them that head wounds were hard that way. Still, Connor felt bad and wanted to learn more to help those hurt the worst.
Doc had brought over some medical books for him to begin reading. He picked it up quickly, and Dr. Runyon was impressed. The day was going well. The town was organizing details of men to help rebuild.
Connor went outside to see what he could do to help, he stopped when he saw his father and brothers ride into town.
His father had the worried frown that Connor had seen most of his life when things were about him.
“Father. Did the ranch get hit?”
His father looked at him, dismounted, and ran to him. “Son, you’re all right.”
“Yes, better than I’ve ever been.”
“The horse came back last night. We’ve been out searching for you.”
“I’m sorry. As you can see, a twister came through town. I only had time to unharness the horse. I’m afraid the buggy is gone.”
His father hugged him. “I thought I’d lost you.”
Two things hit Connor at that moment. His father cared for him, and Connor’s heart was touched in the deep place that had been broken for so long.
“I’m fine. How is the ranch?”
Father smiled at him. “It’s fine. Twister didn’t hit us. You look good, Connor. Is there something I need to know?”
Josey came out of the church and stood by Connor’s side.
“Yes, Josey and I are courting right now, and I hope not too long from now, she’ll agree to marry me.”
Joseph Stark grinned, and Connor even noticed his dark blue eyes were bright with a joy he’d not seen in them since his mother died. “I couldn’t be happier. We all missed you, Josey.”
Connor reached out to his father and gripped his arm. “I’ve decided to become a doctor. I never felt right at the ranch. Mother knew it and tried to get me interested in different things. But I always wanted to be like you.”
Joseph nodded. “I think I always knew you were destined for something other than the ranch. Your mother tried to prepare me for it. I didn’t want to hear it. But I see the excitement in your
eyes. Son, you do what you need to. If I can help, let me know.”
Connor swept an arm at the town. “We could use some help rebuilding some of the town. Doc needs a new building.”
“I’ll send men to help clean up the town.” He looked at Connor. “I hope we can rebuild some of the things broken between us, too. I’d like to start by taking you and Josey out to dinner.”
Connor hugged Josey to him. “We’d like that.”
Chapter 15
Josey stood in the back of the church. Doc Runyon waited for her. he’d agreed to walk her down the aisle. She wiped a few tears from her eyes. It had been six months since the tornado, and she couldn’t be happier.
She loved Connor with all her heart. Gone was his moody behavior. They spent their time together studying the medical manuals and learning from Dr. Runyon. Joseph Stark was proud of his son and delighted to have Josey in the family.
Although, he did tell her that they were putting away the delicate figurines out of her reach when she visited. She grinned at the thought and fixed her veil.
The music started up, and she went out the door.
Dr. Runyon smiled and held his arm out for her. “You’re beautiful. I’d be honored to have you as my daughter.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’ve filled a hole in my heart. I’ve never been happier.” Josey looked at the front of the church and saw Connor. He was so handsome, strong, and loving. He adored her and made sure to think of her and show her how he cared.
Dr. Runyon walked her up the aisle and gave her hand to Connor. “You better take good care of her.”
“That I will.” Connor smiled. His dark blue eyes filled with love for her.
The preacher put their hands on a Bible. “We’re gathered together to honor this wedding ceremony. These two who have helped so many of us and now are to become one in the sight of God.
“Connor Stark, do you take Josephine to be your lawfully wedded wife and to promise to love her, provide and protect her all the days of your life?”
Connor lovingly stared at her. “Yes, I do. With all my heart, I’ll love her for as long as I live.”
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