A Nurse for Connor Read online

  Josey cringed. It was what always happened. She’d knocked something over and broken it. She knelt to the floor and started to pick up the pieces. One pierced her finger and drew blood.

  Mr. Stark came back and handed her a handkerchief. “You’re bleeding. I’ll get one of the maids to clean up.” He looked at her as if he didn’t know what to say.

  Josey nodded. She was used to that look. Apparently, her clumsiness muted people. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to, well, I guess my bag hit the table. I tried to catch it.”

  “It’s all right. Let’s get you to your room and to meet Connor.” He shook his head and led them through a maze of halls to the far end of the house. He knocked on the door and then opened it.

  Mr. Stark’s back stiffened as he opened the door. “This is Miss Josey Beall. Connor, your nurse is here.”

  Josey came in behind him and gasped. This was not a little boy. He was a full-grown man. By the tousled dark hair and piercing blue eyes, she could see that he was a copy of his father.

  She walked toward Connor. “And here I thought I was going to be tending a little boy.” She laughed and stood at the side of the bed.

  Connor stared at her. Not saying anything.

  He wasn’t belligerent, but not friendly either as if he were trying to decide how to treat her and came down somewhere in the middle.

  Josey took his hand and felt his pulse. Strong and steady. A quick hand to his forehead revealed no fever. She touched the sheet. “May I see the leg?”

  Looking a little confused, Connor nodded.

  She lifted the sheet and saw a cast from his thigh down to his ankle. “So, is there one break or two?”

  “One.” Connor touched above his knee where the break had been.

  “I see. That is a nasty place for a break. And very painful. Are you taking any pain medication?”

  Joseph intervened. “I didn’t want him to get the morphine. I heard that too many men can’t let it go.”

  Josey nodded. “Yes, that is so true. At the hospital where I studied, we would have them come in regularly. The men would be just sure their pain was so bad, but they actually wanted the morphine. Doctors haven’t quite figured out how to stop the yearning for the drug. However, another quite harmless substance is from the bark of the willow tree, and it does help alleviate pain.”

  Joseph nodded. “It’s not like the morphine?”

  “Not at all.” She fished in her medicine bag and pulled out a packet. “I have several of these in my trunk, but we may need more. I would suggest this, especially at night. I like to give it with a piece of bread or glass of milk.” She smiled at Connor. “You can try some now if you’d like.”

  Connor looked at her but finally nodded. “Sounds good. It’s been three weeks, and I thought it would have quit hurting by now.”

  Josey looked at the cast. “We might have the doctor remove the cast and have a look just to make sure, but I do know breaks like this are very painful. The femur is a large bone.” She looked around. “Is there a glass of water?”

  Joseph went to a table and poured a glass and handed it to her.

  She dumped a packet of white powder in the water, stirred it, and handed the glass to Connor. “Drink it all up. It usually takes half an hour before you can tell a difference. If your father will show me to my room, I’ll change into my uniform, and then I’ll come back in to see how you are feeling.”

  Mr. Stark nodded at her.

  Josey could see by the sweat over Connor’s lip and forehead that he was hurting. Poor man. By Joseph’s strict manner, she believed he had no idea what it did to a person with such a bad break. “I’m ready to see my room now.”

  “Thank you.” Connor smiled at her.

  He was a handsome man. Josey smiled and then looked in her bag, pulled out the bell, and handed it to him. “Ring this when you need me.” She turned and followed Joseph and Banjo out of his room and across the hall.

  Joseph opened the door. “This room hasn’t been used for some time.”

  She entered the room, took one look around, and faced him. “It was your wife’s sitting room, wasn’t it?”

  “How did you know?”

  “I can see things that she would have liked. The soft colors of peach and light blue. Not at all like the room that Connor is in with its dark curtains and wood covered walls.” She stopped as she almost said like you. Joseph was stiff. Curt. And she’d seen the same qualities in his son.

  She wondered about Connor. Looking so much like his father, was he his father’s son, or did he take after the kindness of his mother? She’d find out.

  Joseph nodded at her. “You can stay in here if you like. I’ll have Beulah come in and clean it up. Get the dust out and bring you clean sheets.” He stopped at one of the tables and gently rubbed his finger over the figurine of a red horse. “My wife loved horses.”

  “I can see. Your wife had a fine eye for them, too.”

  “You know much about horses?”

  “Not a thing. But I can see by the paintings and figurines that your wife did.” Josey smiled. “And she married you. I am sorry I didn’t get to meet your wife.”

  Joseph looked nervous in the room as if he didn’t want to spend another minute inside.

  Josey understood. Death was a funny thing. The believer that died was immediately in the presence of the Lord. However, those who remained were left missing the departed and trying to live with a broken heart. And a sorrowful heart could be most painful.

  She put a hand on Joseph’s. “I’ll be fine. Once Banjo brings me my things, I can begin taking care of Connor. Poor man. He is in so much pain. I can see it in his eyes. I do hope the powder helps him.”

  His face hard as stone, Mr. Stark pulled his hand from her. “I hope you don’t think me cruel. I’ve just always felt that it’s better to tough it out. That’s the way I was raised and how I live.”

  Josey knew she was in a touchy place with the man. “I understand. I don’t like to give out morphine. I think it does harm while it may take the pain away. But I do think Connor needs some help getting over the discomfort.”

  “Yes, I suppose you’re right. If you need anything, let me know. I’ll come by to get you for dinner.” He was stiff and unbending.

  Josey nodded. “I was thinking of eating with Connor. It must be terribly lonely for him in that room all alone.”

  “As you wish.” Joseph left her, shutting the door behind him as if he couldn’t leave her quick enough. Although, it may have been the room and not her.

  Josey sighed. She wasn’t afraid of ghosts. Jesus had taught her long ago that He had conquered death and the enemy. She had nothing to fear. Yet Mr. Stark looked as if he struggled with the passing of his wife even though it had been so many years ago.

  She looked around the room and then out the window. It was a lovely view. A large oak beside a stream. Remnants of what must have been a garden. In the distance, there were gently rolling hills.

  Josey listened intently for the bell but didn’t hear it ring. Despite her surprise that Connor wasn’t a young boy, she was rather pleased. Unbidden feelings surprised her, and she chastised herself for not being professional the way she’d been taught.

  “He is my patient to treat and care for. That is all.”

  A man brought in her trunk, and she went about unpacking. She thought about Connor. Something about him intrigued her.

  Maybe it shouldn’t. But she couldn’t get him out of her mind.

  Chapter 5

  Connor stared at the bell and then the door. What had just walked into his life? Like a flighty bumblebee, the nurse had flitted here and flitted there. Grabbed his hand, threw the sheet off, mixed a powder in water, and handed it to him.

  And Connor thought on how he’d drank it down without a thought. Yesterday, he’d have thrown it against the wall. And then she gave him this bell. So, he was supposed to ring it, and she would appear?

  She didn’t look like a nurse. She was young. Bro
wn hair and brown eyes. And so happy. What was her problem? No one should smile that much. Connor grunted a scornful laugh. The look on Father’s face had been worth it all.

  That little bee had buzzed around him, and Father hadn’t known what to do with her. Not many people ran over Father. But this, what did she say her name was? Joey? Joany, No, it was Josey. Josey Beall. She’d stampeded right over Joseph Stark.

  Connor remembered her last name because after she handed him the bell, he wondered if it was a beall. He snorted again. Just where was she staying if she could hear this little bell? Mother’s room? Would Father open those doors after all these years? Then again, he was staying in Father’s sitting room. And the man hadn’t even walked down this hall in since Mother died.

  Connor was tempted just to see if he rang the bell she’d really come running. He laid back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He knew just how many nails were in the wooden borders. The room was dark with wood all around.

  Across the hall was Mother’s room. All feminine with peach and blue colors. When she was alive, the curtains were always pulled back to let the sunshine in, and her room smelled like fresh-cut flowers from the greenhouse.

  The greenhouse had died after his mother. The plants were all dead. A hailstorm had broken the glass, and Father never fixed it. Connor sighed. So much had been lost. He looked at the windows in his room. Dark curtains hid back the bright day. No wonder he was so gloomy.

  Before his mother had died, Father kept the curtains and the windows open. He loved the fresh air and often told the family that if he couldn’t be outside, he’d bring the outside indoors.

  With a tired realization, Connor looked at his leg and had to admit, he wasn’t in awful pain. Maybe the powder had worked, or maybe Father had wasted his money bringing a nurse all the way from Baltimore.

  He stared at the bell on his bedside table and thought about ringing it, but suddenly, he was tired. Later, he’d see about this Josey Beall.

  ***

  Josey put up her clothes and changed into her nursing uniform. She wasn’t sure if she should have put it on before she met the family, but there had been no opportunity. Well, she was ready now.

  She went about the room and pulled back the curtains when a knock on the door stopped her. “Yes.”

  “I have come to straighten and clean the room, Miss.”

  Josey opened the door. Before her stood a rather short and round woman with the brightest red hair she’d ever seen.

  “My name is Beulah. Mr. Stark sent me to clean the room.” She walked in and looked around. “I haven’t been in here since the Mrs. passed. My, my, it’s going to take me some time to get out the cobwebs and dust. Do you mind if I work while you’re in here?”

  “No, not at all. I was just going to open the window and bring in some fresh air.”

  Beulah opened the window nearest her. “It’s a might chilly today, but I think you’re right. The room does need some fresh air.”

  Josey opened the other window at the back of the room. “Oh, it looks so much better all ready. “Yes, it is chilly. I’ll close the windows after a bit. I believe fresh air helps a house become healthier.”

  “I agree, Miss. Me Granny always said the same. Let the sunshine in, and you’ll smile from within.” Beulah grinned. “You’re such a pretty young thing. Not at all what we expected. How did Connor take to you?”

  Josey thought for a moment. “I think I surprised him. He didn’t say much, but I haven’t heard the bell ring. I gave him some powder to ease his pain and let him sleep. He looked exhausted and in discomfort.”

  Beulah nodded. “Aye, broken legs are a hard thing to heal in an active man. I’d say you have your hands full with that one. You’re the fifth person hired to watch over him, you know.”

  Josey looked at the woman. “No, I didn’t know. Well, I think we will get along splendidly.” She laughed. “I was expecting a young boy. You can imagine my surprise.”

  Beulah nodded. “Aye, that I can. Connor is an angry young man. I hope you can settle him down some. I think you’re pretty enough to do just that.”

  Josey fiddled with the curtains trying not to look interested as she asked the question that was nagging her. “Is he engaged or have a girl that he likes?”

  “No,” Beulah looked toward the door. “He had a girl, but she ran off with his best friend. Poor boy. He broke his leg, and she broke their engagement all in the same week.”

  Josey nodded. “Disappointments are hard to take. I’ll keep that in mind. Mr. Stark seems to—”

  “Resemble his name?” Beulah laughed. “Yes, he does. Although when his wife was alive, they were happy. It was a different place, the ranch, and the house. Laughter all around. Did you know that Connor is the youngest son?”

  Josey shook her head.

  “The other two are older, of course. And went to that horrible war and came back with different wounds. But they are good men. Connor is perhaps the wildest and hardest to handle. You’ll see.”

  Josey was about to ask a question when she heard the bell. “He’s ringing me. Thank you for cleaning up my room, Beulah.” Josey grabbed her medical bag and went across the hall. She knocked and then opened the door.

  “What can I get you?” She looked at him. He looked better than the first time she’d seen. His eyes were brighter and not so pained.

  “I’m thirsty.” He pointed to his windows. “It’s dark in here. Could you draw the curtains?”

  She nodded and gave him a glass of water. On the way to the windows, she glanced at him. “Did the powder help the pain?”

  “I think so. Some anyway.”

  Josey pulled back the nearest curtain and let in the sunshine. “I can open the window if you’d like.”

  He shrugged and took another drink.

  Josey opened the window an inch. “It’s chilly outside, so I’ll shut it by dinner. It won’t do you well to get a chill.” She checked her watch and pulled the curtains away from the window closest to him. “There that looks much better, doesn’t it? Can’t have a room be too bland and dark.”

  He nodded and was staring at her. “You’re a nurse. Uniform and all.”

  “Yes. I graduated from The Harrow School of Nursing in Baltimore.” She started to go on but decided he might not like to hear how she broke more dishes and spilled more bedpans than anyone else in the school’s history.

  “I want to get up and start walking.”

  She nodded. “I bet you do. I think the next time the doctor comes out we can ask him.” Josey smiled. He did not seem like a bad sort at all. She went to his side and picked up his hand.

  This time, he yanked it back. “I’m done with being bothered. Just give me some more powder and leave me alone.”

  “Oh, I see you have an ornery side to you. It’s important that I make sure you stay fever-free. Too many men and women come down with pneumonia after being down on their backs. So, yes, it will be good to get you up and around. There are special chairs we can get you so I can push you around, and you can eat with your family and go outside on a nice day.”

  Connor glared at her. “I’m not an invalid. I will not be pushed around.”

  She stared at him. “No reason to shout. I have excellent hearing. And you will be pushed around because that leg of yours is not ready to bear weight. Not yet.”

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  “I don’t think you will. I take orders from your doctor. Not you.” She flipped the sheet off his leg and looked at his toes. “Good. Your toes are nice and pink.” She smiled at him. “That means the blood flow has not been interrupted.”

  Connor’s cheeks pinked as he pulled the covers back over him.

  “No sense in being modest. I have seen it all. Nurses are only interested in caring for the body. Not peeking.” She laughed as she remembered old Nurse Dermont saying that and blushing at the same time.

  He scowled at her. “Just the same, I don’t want you looking at me.”


  “I bet you’re getting hungry.” Josey checked her watch. “Yes, I’ll go and get you something to eat. Keep the bell handy.”

  She had just shut the door when something banged against it. Josey jumped and wondered what he had done. She opened the door and saw his cup rolling on the floor.

  “Connor Stark, I see your cup took to the air. I just hate it when they do that. Good thing it only had water in it.” She picked up his cup and filled it with water and set it on his table. “In case you get thirsty.”

  This time, she shut the door and no bang followed. Connor must be very frustrated to stoop to such a childish thing. That told her much about how he was feeling. She’d do her best to make him smile.

  Josey wondered where the kitchen might be. She popped into her room and asked Beulah.

  The cheery woman pointed. “If you go down the main hall and then to the left, you will smell the most delicious aromas. Fredrick and Victoria are the cooks and such a delight.”

  “Thank you. I’ll be back with some food for Connor. If you hear the bell, be sure to go in and see what he wants.”

  Josey had seen the roll of Beulah’s eyes when she’d asked her to take care of Connor. Well, so the man was upset. It would pass. Josey walked and walked, but the maid was right. Finally, she did smell the aroma of wonderful food coming down the hall.

  Inside the kitchen, she saw the couple busy preparing enough lunches to feed an army. “I hate to bother you, but I need a lunch for Connor.”

  The man, Frederick, Josey guessed, looked up and scowled. “What does he want now?”

  “I was thinking a hearty stew.”

  The man nodded. “You must be the nurse. I pity you. That boy is most unpleasant. He’s lucky that his father puts up with him.”

  “He has a very painful injury, but I am sure in time that he’ll recover.” Josey glanced at the plates getting ready to go to the dining room. “If you’d be so good as to put some bread and butter on the tray, too.”

  The woman brought her a tray with two plates and all the fixings. “I put your food on the tray as well.” She smiled. “You’re such a sweet thing to be saddled with such a brute. I do hope you last longer than the others have.”