Nurse To Forever Mum

Stacey’s smile widened. Mrs. Fitzpatrick didn’t seem the type to want to do that, but now she could. “That’s great to hear.”

“I’d like to check your incision, if I may?” Dr. Brennan asked.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick pulled her right pants leg up over her knee. Dr. Brennan went down on his heels to examine it closely. “It looks good. Now let me see you bend it.”

The woman lifted it up and down. Stacey didn’t miss how her lips tightened, but she didn’t make a sound.

Dr. Brennan stood and put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m impressed. I can tell you’ve been working hard in physical therapy. I think you’re about ready to go home.”

Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s smile was a bright one. “That’s sooner than you had said.”

“It pays to be a good patient,” he responded, grinning.

Stacey enjoyed the moment. Dr. Brennan had a nice rapport with his patient. She hadn’t seen much of that in her work in medical facilities in developing countries. There the patients came and left the same day. None of the doctors, and certainly none of the temporary nurses, had an opportunity to really get to know the patients. It was lovely to see that personal interaction in this clinic but at the same time it made her uncomfortable. She wasn’t looking to become involved with anyone on any level.

Over the next few hours Stacey found out that Dr. Brennan’s bedside manner didn’t just extend to the Fitzpatricks. He treated all his patients with the same respect and concern. Each time they saw someone new he took the time to introduce Stacey, making her feel she was part of his team, significant. That was an odd thought.

They were passing through the activity room where the afternoon sun beamed in through the windows when a weathered man sitting at a table lifted a hand in acknowledgment.

“Hey, Salty. Good to see you,” Dr. Brennan greeted him.

“Who’s that with you?” Salty wanted to know.

“This is my new nurse. Stacey Ryder. Stacey, this is Salty, our local hero.”

Stacey couldn’t miss the pink spreading across the older man’s cheeks, the wrinkles that gathered beside his eyes and the straightening of his shoulders. “Aw, ’twas nothing. Anyone would have done it.” His gruff voice was filled with pride.

“Done what?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“We had a ferry accident a few months back. Salty went out in his boat and helped save people.”

“That sounds impressive.” And she was impressed.

Salty shrugged his shoulders. “Glad I could help.”

“We’ve got to be going. See you around.” Dr. Brennan strolled on through the area.

“Nice to meet you.” Stacey hurried to catch up with the long-legged doctor.

They hadn’t made it into the hall when Salty called, “Hey, Doc, find a good woman and you’ve found a jewel.”

Dr. Brennan raised a hand and kept walking. “Thanks. I’ll remember that.”

Stacey had seen the slight flinch of his shoulders before he’d waved off Salty’s unsolicited advice. “What was that about?”

“Nothing. Salty is always dishing out his idea of wisdom.”

Dr. Brennan didn’t appear to think that particular piece of advice was very impressive. Were he and his wife having trouble? Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with her and so was none of her concern.

A few minutes later as they walked out of a patient’s room a tall, sandy-blond man wearing a lab coat came toward them. “Hey, Cody. How’s it going?”

“Well. Your staff has done wonders with Mrs. Fitzpatrick.” Dr. Brennan passed her his hand computer on which he was making notes. “As uncooperative as she was before surgery, I’m impressed by how far she’s come in such a short time.”

“What can I say? We’re good!” The man chuckled, then gave her a questioning look. “Hi, I’m Alex Kirkland, your medical director.”

“I’m Stacey Ryder, Dr. Brennan’s temporary nurse.”

“That’s right, Marsha’s out taking care of her mother. Welcome. We’re glad to have you,” Dr. Kirkland said. “Feel free to call me Alex.”

She liked him. He wasn’t quite as stuffy as Dr. Brennan. “Alex. I’m glad to be here. Didn’t I read somewhere that it was you and Dr. Brennan who started this clinic?”

“Yeah, that was us.” Pride filled his voice.

An attractive woman with a riot of red hair headed their way with a bounce in her step. She called, “Hey, Alex, you have a minute?”

Alex’s eyes lit up before he turned. “I always do for you.”

“Aw, you do care.” She joined them.

Stacey suspected there was a deeper meaning to their greeting by the way Alex lightly touched her elbow to direct her attention to Stacey.

“Maggie, this is Stacey Ryder, Cody’s clinical nurse for the next few weeks.”

Maggie extended her hand. “Maggie Green, one of the physiotherapists around here. I specialize in hydro and equine therapy. Glad to have you. I hope you enjoy your stay.” She turned to Alex. “I hate to drag you away but I need to talk to you about one of the twins for a sec.”

Alex shrugged. “Duty calls. Good to have you, Stacey. Don’t let Cody overwork you while you’re here.” He followed Maggie down the hall toward the hydro area.

Stacey looked at Cody “She seems like fun.”

“That’s not what Alex thought for a while. Now he’d agree with you.”

They continued down the hall.

Uncharacteristic curiosity had gotten the better of her and Stacey had researched the founding of the clinic. After meeting a few people, she’d already figured out the internet didn’t tell the entire story of Maple Island Clinic. Doing the research in person with one of the founders, especially a particularly handsome one, was an invitation to get personal. Taking a breath for courage, Stacey asked, “So how did you and Alex decide you wanted to start this facility? By your accents you don’t come from the same part of the country.”

He looked at her for a moment as if he was deciding whether or not to answer. “We don’t. We met at a conference. Single guys with childcare issues in common. Next thing I knew we were coming up with this clinic idea.” He turned the corner and started down another hall. “I’m originally from California.”

“That makes sense. One coast for another.” That seemed a pretty dramatic move for a specialty surgeon of Brennan’s caliber. Was there more to it than a chance meeting at a conference? Had something else pushed him into the move? She shouldn’t pry further yet she couldn’t stop herself. “Was that a hard sell to your family?”

“No. The girls were so small they were good with it.”

“Your wife?” Stacey winced silently. She had already asked too many questions.

“She was already out of the picture.” His words were flat and final.

Stacey let go a private sigh of relief. He’d closed the door on that subject, slammed it shut.

They walked back to his office in silence. There he said, “I’ll see you in surgery at six in the morning.” Then he literally closed the door in her face.

So much for Mr. Charming.

CHAPTER TWO

TWO DAYS LATER Cody picked up the girls from dance practice. It wasn’t his favorite night of the week because it was always so busy. To make it less stressful he usually took them out to dinner. Tonight they were going to Brady’s Bistro and Bakery for pizza. They all loved the thin slices and best of all he didn’t have to cook.

As often as possible he tried to give the girls nutritious meals. He was trying to make up for the time when they hadn’t had them. By the end of his marriage, Rachael hadn’t cared enough to prepare meals. Every cent she’d been able to get her hands on had gone toward her next fix.

Cody had promised himself that his girls would have home-cooked, locally grown, wholesome food as much as possible. For the most part he’d managed to achieve that. Still, it was nice to get out of the kitchen and concentrate on having more quality time with his kids.

He held the door to the bistro open. The place was full, noisy with the sounds of talking, laughter and dishes rattling. He looked around the space with its red chrome tabletops and yellow chairs covered in plastic. The black and white tile floors added to the fifties vibe.

With a moan and a hunger pang, he resigned himself to the fact they would have to wait. He scanned the dining area with irritation. It wouldn’t be a short wait. Stepping to the left a pace, he searched again. There was a booth with some empty seats. Looking closer, he saw Stacey sitting in one corner of it.

The thought that it wasn’t a good idea to join her was interrupted by Jean’s plaintive announcement, “I’m hungry.”

Cody drew a fortifying breath for reasons he couldn’t put a finger on. They had worked well together over the last few days. Stacey had a great rapport with the patients, could anticipate many of the things he needed done, and she took direction without complaint. Most of all she was friendly and always wore a smile. So why did he have an issue with her? Could it be he found her attractive and that made him uncomfortable? Even if that was the cause of his hesitation, he had an immediate problem to solve that overrode his feelings.

“This way, girls.” He weaved between the tables, glancing back to make sure they were following.

When he reached Stacey’s table she looked up in surprise. “Dr. Brennan.”

“Hey, do you mind if we join you? There don’t seem to be any more seats and the girls are very hungry.”

“Please do.” She waved her hand toward the open places and smiled at the girls.

“Daddy, do you know her?” Jean asked in a suspicious tone.

Lizzy gave Stacey a look of wonder. Finally, she burst out with, “You’re the woman who fixed my bow.”

Stacey smiled. “Yes, I am. You’re Lizzy, right?”

His younger daughter bobbed her head up and down.

“Yes, I know her,” he said to Jean, then looked at Stacey. “And this is Jean.” He placed a hand on his other daughter’s shoulder.

Jean gave Stacey the sulky look that had become her standard greeting to unknown women. His elder daughter was having the most difficulty with the loss of her mother. She could remember Rachael being a part of their lives, but had been too young to understand her mother’s problems.

“Hey,” Jean said belatedly, with zero enthusiasm.

“Hi, Jean. It’s nice to meet you.” Stacey gave her an encouraging smile. “I work with Dr. Brennan...uh...your father. Why don’t you sit over here beside me?” She patted the bench beside her.

Jean offered her father a doubtful look. He nodded and gave her a light nudge of encouragement. Jean slid in beside Stacey. He said to her, “And you can call me Cody.”

Stacey instantly produced the smile that made him want to return one. “Cody it is.”

He appreciated the way she pronounced his name, as if it were a sweet she was tasting for the first time and finding she liked it.

“You go first,” Lizzy said, leaving Cody no choice but to scoot in until he faced Stacey. His knees bumped hers. Their looks caught. “Sorry.”

“No problem.”

His fascination with Stacey’s green eyes was broken when Lizzy scrambled into her spot beside him.

The awkwardness he was experiencing disappeared when Brigid Brady, their waitress today, walked up to the table. “Hi, Jean and Lizzy. Cody.”

Her look lingered on him a little longer than mere politeness allowed, much to his annoyance. More than once she’d made unmistakable overtures. He wasn’t interested in a relationship with her now or even later. He glanced at Stacey. She watched them with a quizzical smile. No, she definitely hadn’t missed Brigid’s extra attention.

“Uh... Brigid, we’d like a medium pepperoni and cheese pizza.” His gaze returned to Stacey. “I’m sorry. Have you already ordered?”

“No. But pizza sounds good.”

“Then make that a large,” he said to Brigid. “And four sodas.” He looked at Stacey again.

“That work for you?”

“It does.”

“It’ll be out in a few minutes,” Brigid said with a huff of disgust in her voice.

As she left a soft chuckle came from across the table. “Charming in and out of the OR, I see.”

He twisted the corner of his mouth and shrugged.

Her attention went to Jean. “I heard you’re a dancer.”

“I take dancing. I’m not very good, though.” Jean stared at the tabletop.

“I take it too,” Lizzy proudly announced.

Stacey acknowledged her with a look of wide-eyed wonderment and asked, “You’re a dancer too? Awesome!”

Stacey’s focus was completely on his girls and it was genuine. They needed that in their lives. Their mother had never been there for them. The few women he’d had anything to do with in the years since his divorce had been more one-night stands than anything. He certainly had not brought them home to meet his daughters.

“That’s great. I never had a chance to learn.” Stacey leaned toward them as if enthralled with what Jean and Lizzy were telling her.

“Why not?” Lizzy asked, but Jean appeared uninterested.

“I moved around a lot and my mother didn’t put me in any classes.”

“You could come to ours,” Lizzy offered so emphatically that Cody couldn’t help but chuckle. The action felt good. He could only imagine Stacey in an eight and under class of girls in tutus.

“I think that would be fun but I don’t think I’ll be on Maple Island long enough to take lessons now either.” Stacey hadn’t taken her eyes off the girls, especially Jean.

“Where’re you going?” Jean asked, frowning at the tabletop.

“In a few weeks I’ll be going to Ethiopia after a quick stop to visit my mother for a couple of days.”

Jean sat straighter in her chair. “Ethiopia. We’ve been studying about that country in geography. It’s in Africa, isn’t it? That’s a long way away.”

For once his oldest was engaged in the conversation. Stacey had a carefree manner about her. That unique congeniality came from living life on the move with the ease of the wind. Her life was a complete contrast to his. Still, he liked her ability to interact with people as if she’d known them forever. He’d seen her use that skill with his patients and now with his girls. She never treated people as though they were strangers. That was a talent to admire.

“It is, but I’m looking forward to going,” Stacey said.

“Why?” Lizzy asked.

“Because I’ll get to help lots of boys and girls.”

“How?” Jean wanted to know, finally turning to study Stacey’s face.

“I’m a nurse. So I’ll help them feel better.”

Jean lowered her gaze again but stopped short of the table surface. With a tentative touch, she fingered the wooden bead bracelet on Stacey’s wrist.

“You like it? It’s from Bolivia.”

“Boo-liver-a,” Lizzy said.

He and Stacey tried not to laugh.

“Bo-li-via,” Stacey said slowly. “It’s in South America.” She turned back to Jean. “A girl about your age made it for me.” She took it off and handed it to Jean. “You can have it. I bet she’d like to know that a girl in America is wearing it.”

Jean looked at her father in silent question. He nodded. “If Stacey says it’s okay.”

“It is. I don’t get to wear it enough. If you have it, Jean, I’ll know it’ll be cared for.”

“Thank you.” Jean’s words were almost inaudible as she placed the bracelet on her slim wrist.

Stacey continued patiently engaging his girls in conversation until the drinks and pizza arrived.

“I hope you didn’t feel forced into eating this just because it was what we were having.” Cody put a slice on each of the girl’s plates.

“Not at all. I don’t always get pizza in the places I go.” Stacey gave Jean and Lizzy a conspiratorial look. “I have to fill up when I have a chance.” They nodded in simultaneous agreement.

Cody asked the girls what they’d done today, particularly how school had gone.

“I thought you stayed in the day care,” Stacey said.

“We do,” both replied at the same time.

“They go there before school opens, and then are transported to school and back again when school finishes.” Cody took a bite of his pizza.

“Nice and convenient.” Stacey pulled a second slice from the pizza sheet. Cheese strung out, breaking as she turned its triangle edge into her mouth.

Cody held his breath as the cheese landed on her chin. “That was the plan when Alex and I came up with the idea. So far it has worked out great.”

“You have cheese on your chin,” Jean pointed out.

“I do?” Stacey wiped her napkin across her cheek.

Lizzy yelped. “It’s still there.”

Stacey dabbed the napkin over her face again.

“You didn’t get it.” Lizzy giggled.

“Here, let me help.” Cody reached across the table with his napkin in hand. As he removed the cheese, his gaze rose to find Stacey watching him. Her eyes were a forest green, and there was a twinkle in them. They looked like an inviting place where he could go and forget his cares.

“Hey, Daddy. Can we go get an ice cream?” Jean asked, dropping a crust on her plate.

Jerked back to reality, Cody quickly returned his hand to his side of the table. “Yeah, sure,” he said before he’d thought about it.

“Yay,” both girls yelled.

He put a finger to his mouth. “Shush. Not so loud. We’re inside.”

“You want to go with us?” Jean asked as she and Lizzy turned to Stacey.

She looked at him briefly. He did his best not to react one way or another but he didn’t think that was a good idea. For him or the girls.

Finally, Stacey said, “I don’t believe so this time. I’ve had too much pizza. Maybe next time.”

To his amazement, Jean looked as disappointed as he felt. Why? he questioned himself on both accounts. Stacey had managed to forge some kind of relationship with his elder daughter who normally didn’t warm up to strangers, especially female ones. So, what was it about Stacey that had him and Jean doing and saying things they didn’t ordinarily do?

He paid for their meal despite Stacey arguing that she needed to cover her share. “Because of you we didn’t have to wait to eat. The least I can do is get your meal.”

“Thank you, then.”

They were exiting the bistro when Jean pointed out the poster about the island’s Founder’s Day Weekend taped to the glass window. “Daddy, Fleur has been teaching us dances at day care. She wants us to do them on Saturday of Founder’s Day Weekend. We have to have costumes.”

“Costumes. That sounds like fun. I love to dress up,” Stacey commented as she held the door open for the girls to exit.

Cody almost groaned out loud. Putting together costumes was his least favorite thing to do. Imagination wasn’t his strong suit. They’d had to have outfits for the library’s Fright Night a couple of months back. They had gone as trolls only because those had been the only costumes he could find in the store. He believed he should at least be allowed a full year before he had to come up with more. The side of his brain he used most held facts and numbers. He had to stretch to the other to be creative and inventive. Hopefully, Fleur, a recent patient and now the soon-to-be wife of Rick Fleming, a doctor at the clinic, would provide some guidelines or ideas.

They were out on the sidewalk when Stacey asked, “Founder’s Day Weekend. What’s that?”

“It’s so much fun,” Lizzy said, hopping with anticipation. “I like the pony rides.”

Cody rubbed the top of his younger daughter’s head and chuckled. “You like anything that has to do with a pony.” He regarded Stacey. “We celebrate the settling of the island. The story goes that after a long and very hard winter a few early settlers traveled from the mainland over to the island, seeking food. They found the maple trees and tapped them. The maple syrup helped restore the strength of the people. No one really knows whether it is true or not, but we remember those early settlers and focus on maple syrup by having a Founder’s Day Weekend. With all the trimmings—food, entertainment and fireworks. Everyone turns out for the event.”

“I’ve never been to a Founder’s Day anywhere,” Stacey said.

“You’ll come see us dance?” Lizzy stopped twisting to and fro long enough to ask.

“Of course I will.” Stacey assured her. “If I am still here.”

Jean and Lizzy grinned from ear to ear.

“Well, we’d better be going. Thanks again for sharing your table with us.” He was uneasy on some level with what was happening between Stacey and his girls, as well as his reaction to her. The whole meal had seemed far too family-like for his comfort.

“No problem. I’ll see you in the morning. Bye, Jean and Lizzy.” Stacey glanced back at him as she turned. “Thanks again for the pizza.”

He nodded. She lifted a hand and strolled away, looking in shop windows as she went. Why did he feel some of the pleasure in the evening was walking away from them?

* * *

Two days later, Stacey fixed a cup of hot chocolate in the employees’ kitchen and pulled on her sweater. She loved the ocean and didn’t always get an assignment near one, so she planned to take her afternoon break on the sundeck.

She eased into a chair. Being early April, the days were still cool. Raising her face to the sun, she closed her eyes. She’d been at the clinic for almost a week already. To her surprise she’d relished every minute of it. After living in little more than huts most of her professional life, she enjoyed staying in the tiny cottage called Paradise, facing the harbor. It was a slice of heaven. The village was pretty and she was slowly working her way through all the eating places. People were friendly and she was at ease here. She would miss it when she left.

Inhaling the damp salt air deeply, she released it slowly. The seagulls squawked nearby as the waves rolled in. Oh, yes, this was a great place to recharge her batteries. She needed this downtime in her life. This would be her first weekend on the island and she planned to do more of this.

A hand touched her arm. Her eyes jerked open. Cody’s dark coffee gaze looked down at her. Determination, along with a touch of something else, etched his features.

“I’ve been searching everywhere for you. I need you to come with me.”

She’d been so absorbed in her thoughts she’d not heard either him approaching or apparently her phone ringing.

“Where’re we going?” She thought through the fog of surprise and tried not to react to his touch, which had left her forearm tingling, tiny hairs raised by goose-bumps. Her reaction to him had to stop. She was too old for a crush.

“Boston. We have an emergency. I need you at the helipad in ten.” He was already walking away.

Stacey rushed into the clinic behind him. She spoke to his back when she asked, “Do I need to prepare a bag, take anything?”

“They’ll have everything we need there. I’ll see you at the pad. I have to check on the girls.”

She was waiting at the helicopter pad when Cody arrived. His lips were moving rapidly as he spoke into his phone. A furrow creased his forehead. The blades of the machine were already humming as they climbed aboard. She was a nervous flier. She gulped and climbed aboard. A high level of trepidation zipped through her.

She fumbled with her seatbelt. Cody reached over and clipped it into place. She gave him a weak smile. “Thanks.”

He cupped his ear, shook his head and mouthed, “Use headphones,” then pointed to them hanging above her.

Stacey placed them on her head.

“This the first time you’ve ever been in a helicopter?” He spoke through the headpiece.

She looked at him and nodded. Over the years she’d ridden in jeeps and in the back of trucks over rutted, washed-out roads, and once in a small plane, which she hadn’t liked any better than the helicopter. Apparently, her fear was showing.

“There’s a button on your headphones just above your right ear. Push it when you talk and release it so you can hear me.”

She found the button and did as he instructed. “You can hear me now?”

“I can.”

The helicopter shifted, and the wind swooshed before the machine started to lift. Her hands gripped the edge of the seat as she stared out the front windshield. Seconds later her right hand was prised off the seat. Cody took it in his, holding it. His hand was large, enveloping hers and radiating a promise that he was there for her. Unsure what was more disconcerting, Cody holding her hand or the flight, she gripped his fingers tightly like the lifeline they were.