A Nurse for Walter

by Marlene Bierworth

  “And why do you suppose you trip up? Have you a medical issue or an insecurity issue, Nurse Shannon?”

  “I’ve always blamed it on insecurity. My mind is far braver than my body seems to want to cooperate.”

  “Well, that is an easy fix,” Walter said. “We shall give you a try, and see if we can convince your unwilling body to come alongside your strong mind and eager heart.”

  “Thank you, sir. You don’t know how much this opportunity means to me.”

  “I think I do,” he said with a hearty laugh. “It’s written all over your face.”

  A man in a white jacket rushed over to the table. “Dr. Franssen; it’s Anna. She’s woke up screaming again.”

  The trays were pushed back and he looked at Nurse Shannon. “I hope you have more ideas up your sleeve. It does not sound like she’s in the singing mood.”

  Shannon kept up to him, mounting two steps for every one huge stretch he took, as they hurried back to the patient’s room. Upon entering the east wing, the wailing accosted his ears. Whatever was wrong with her? Behind him Nurse Shannon stopped abruptly and held a hand against her throat. He pivoted and yelled, “Don’t dawdle.”

  “I remember what it is.”

  “What are you rambling on about?”

  “I smelled something on Anna’s breath earlier but couldn’t place it,” Shannon said. “It is a rare herb and beautiful to look at, but deadly to eat. It doesn’t kill immediately but destroys one’s mind—drives them mad, Dr. Franssen.”

  “Poison! Anna is being poisoned?”

  “I’ve smelled it before and it grows amongst deep foliage. One needs to search for it. Does you live near a wooded area?”.

  “Me?” Whatever was she on about? “Anna lives in some out-of-the-way wilderness, west of here.”

  “Do you know who would want to poison her—perhaps the man at the train depot yesterday?” Shannon suggested.

  “That would be a good place to start.” He looked toward her room and anguish consumed him. How could he have missed killing the rogue at such a short distance? Probably because he was not interested in killing people—even swine like Janus Arnold, He’d warned his sister not to trust a man who went by two first names instead of a reputable surname. At the station, Anna had tossed him her derringer, and he wondered for the hundredth time why she hadn’t used it to shoot the poor excuse for a man a long time ago. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see the kindest set of eyes staring at him.

  “I’m so sorry you are going through this,” Nurse Shannon said, “I know a bit about the herb and will do my best to save your wife.”

  At that, she spun around and hurried back in the direction they’d just come. His wife: Did she actually think he was married to Anna? He stared after Shannon speechless, until she was out of sight. He could not bear Anna’s torment another minute, and held back, allowing his new nurse to have a go at saving the black sheep of his family.

  Chapter 4

  Dr. Franssen escorted Shannon to the boarding house for he’d not let the woman traverse the streets of Maple Grove alone this time of night. The mere slit of the new moon offered little light to guide her steps and if there were any stars in the sky, they were covered by dark rain clouds. Even the regular patrons had deserted the saloon, and the street lanterns flickered off and on from lack of fuel.

  “I don’t even know if Molly left the door open for me,” Shannon said. “I suppose it’s not good practice for the ladies of the household.”

  “This will not be the norm for your workday, Nurse Shannon. I run two shifts—you’re either on days or nights—never both.”

  “I was happy to stay until Anna was resting better,” Shannon said. “The remedy was one given me by one of our hired workers at Tyre-Crest Estate. She will be a bit woozy for a few days. I believe the fatal potion has been given in small doses for quite a time now. She may crave it, like an alcoholic needs liquor or an addict requires opium, but we will see her through it.”

  “In all my years spent in medicine, I’ve never treated an addict. They usually make the short trip to a bed upstairs, headed for a new institutionalized home to see out their years. I can’t do that to Anna.”

  “You appear to blame the man you accosted at the station and who escaped your watchful eye at the hospital for Anna’s poisoning. Will you tell the sheriff so he can track down the culprit?”

  “I know where to find him.” Walter’s anger gnashed between his teeth.

  “It is the law’s responsibility to bring him to justice, not yours, Dr. Franssen. Anna needs you. I understand it’s difficult to let go of the reins when the victim holds a special place in your heart, but it takes special skills to deal with such men.”

  He grabbed for her arm. “I think there has been a miscommunication between us. Anna’s case is indeed very special and personal, but not because I am her husband. I recall a comment you made earlier before you ran to tend to my sister.”

  “Sister—she’s not your wife?” Shannon asked, barely able to believe her ears, and at the same time chastising herself that it mattered at all.

  “I am not married. Anna ran away with Janus one night to get back at Father who was demanding her to break ties with the bloke, his lower ranking on the social ladder a major strike against him—among others that have sadly become clear since then. Our folks had a fine gent picked out for Anna to wed, but my sister is a bit of a rebel. Has to do things her way.”

  “Oh, I know that story.” Shannon blurted it out without thinking and clasped a hand over her mouth.

  “Ah, the nurse has secrets,” Walter teased.

  “I also have a father with high expectations for my life, none of which sat well with my plans. He desires to see me married off to a wealthy businessperson who will undoubtedly steal me away from my nursing career, rendering me unemployed and doomed to become a pretty, emptyheaded woman for him to flaunt in front of his peers.”

  Walter grinned at her description. “I do understand the fatherly dilemma that a man might face in dealing with the daughter he loves, and at the same time, respect a woman with a mind of her own who chases her dreams—in your case—but not so in Anna’s. She was simply defying authority, and it has landed her into a mess that has managed to reduce her to half the woman she was. I barely recognize her anymore. Still she will not accept my father’s help.”

  “But she accepts yours?” Shannon asked.

  “She does. The scoundrel conned her, but I’m encouraged that perhaps it was the poison that has altered her personality and I will be able to reach her. When her mind clears, I’ll tell her my plan to set her free of her husband’s oppression, and hope she has an ear open to listen.”

  “I hope it’s a good plan. After viewing your skirmish at the depot, it appears her husband is not giving up easy.”

  “He doesn’t want her—never did. She comes from a wealthy family and he wants his cut. She tries to appease everyone, by feeding him lies and giving excuses why they shouldn’t come to the homestead, but in the end, we all know he’ll make his move. Probably this gradual poisoning was part of the plan—I shall have to ponder it.”

  “I shall pray for you and your family, that the Lord will intervene and save the day.”

  “A woman of faith, are you now?”

  “Most certainly,” Shannon said. “I don’t know how one gets through life without the grace of God and the hope He places in our hearts.”

  “Perhaps I will see you in church come Sunday. Only dire emergencies keep me from worshipping at the Maple Lutheran Church.”

  “Then I shall try that one first and save the Baptist Assembly for next Sunday.”

  They’d arrived at the boardinghouse and stepped onto the verandah. A lantern burned just inside the door and the doctor put a finger to his lips to silence her question. He fumbled on a shelf behind a decorative welcome sign and brought out a key.

  “Emergencies only.” He turned the bolt and found it to be open. “What? Molly should no
t leave her door unlocked.”

  A voice sounded from within, and the owner of the house appeared with a rifle at her side. “Molly is waiting up for her boarder, since the good doctor at the hospital did not feel the need to provide his newest nurse a schedule so we will know her coming and going.” Molly looked at his hand. “Now hide that back in place before someone sees you.”

  “No fear of that tonight. We did not encounter one person awake all the way here.”

  “I should hope not—it’s nearly morning,” Molly said. “What’s the idea of keeping her working for fourteen straight hours? You trying to do her in on the first day?”

  “Turns out Nurse Shannon is an expert in deadly herbs,” he said casually, an amusing tease in his voice. “I wouldn’t be letting her close to the cookstove. Might find yourself toes up.”

  Shannon slapped playfully at Walter. In their time together, they had gone from strangers to a half-crazed, overworked team. She was exhausted. “Dr. Franssen—tell her you’re just fooling. I’m not the one with murder on my mind.”

  “Touché,” Walter said. “I must admit my righteousness has been tested to the limit with this whole thing involving Anna.”

  “Anna—is she all right?” asked Molly.

  “She will be now, thanks to Shannon’s diagnosis and treatment. I’m afraid she’d have been a gonner if left totally in my care.”

  Molly beamed. “I could have told you Nurse Shannon was a keeper.”

  Shannon sighed too exhausted to gain pleasure from the doctor’s friendly use of her Christian name. She turned to him and said, “I need to go to bed. When is my next shift?”

  “I want you to work days, so tomorrow come again at one but you will be home by six—I promise. Your regular pattern will be eight in the morning until six in the evening—five days a week. Hopefully, we will not have too many repeats of today.”

  “And if we do, I will stay at my station for as long as I can stand on my two feet,” Shannon said. “Thank you for walking me home. See you tomorrow.”

  She joined Molly on the inside, closing the door behind her, but instead of heading for the stairs she scurried to a nearby window to watch his departure. He walked swiftly in the direction of the hospital. She doubted he’d be going home. That cot she’d seen stashed in the corner of his office would likely house his weary body tonight—nice and close to his sister, should the minimal staff need to seek him out.

  His sister. Shannon smiled at the image, not appreciating where her thoughts flew, but nonetheless, unable to stop them.

  “What is this I detect, young lady? I thought you were destined to the life of a career spinster?”

  Shannon spun around. “I am. I was simply worried about the doctor. He works far too hard for one solitary man.”

  “He has a control issue, I’m afraid. Appoints department heads, hires capable doctors and nurses, and still checks up on everyone like they were children.”

  “I suppose when one is responsible for what happens behind hospital walls, it might make a person appear a bit controlling,” Shannon said.

  “It sounds as if you’re stuck on the man already,” Molly said shuffling off to the kitchen. “The perils of those in leadership were his exact words when I accosted him of such behavior a while back.”

  “So, you know Dr. Franssen well?”

  “He’s built that fine hospital and tends to the community like we were his own flesh and blood. A kind and dedicated man,” Molly said. “He has favored us with his company for Sunday lunch a few times when he didn’t want to make the trip home.”

  “Where does he live?”

  “About a thirty-minute buggy ride. Of course, most of that is spent traveling on the family property. The doctor comes from old money.” She passed a tray to Shannon who had followed her, and winked shamelessly. “Makes him a dandy-fine catch should you decide to make that long trip down the aisle.” Molly laughed. “Don’t look so shocked—people’s minds have been known to change, especially when the heart gets in on the act. Here, take these munchies to nibble on while you prepare for bed. Skip breakfast, and I will make you an early lunch—around 11:30—is that all right?”

  “Perfect—one day in Maple Grove and I’d be lost without you Molly. Thank you for waiting up.”

  “Truth is; I was snoozing on the couch. A woman my age needs her sleep.”

  “The one thing I have in my favor is that it’s Friday, the last day of the week, and I will be off for two complete days to settle in to the town proper like.”

  “Yes, and I shall enjoy introducing the new heroine of Maple Grove. It’s not everyday one saves the life of a Franssen, even a backslidden one.”

  When Molly tapped on the bedroom door at eleven o’clock, Shannon was stretching and willing herself to get out of bed. She felt refreshed from her long shift and eager to get back to the ward to see how Anna had fared the rest of the night. “I’m up,” she called to Molly as she jumped from under her warm covers onto the cool floor.

  The woman opened the door, delivering fresh towels and a pitcher of warm wash water. “See you downstairs later,” she said as she waved and was gone.

  Shannon washed and dressed in a clean outfit, as Anna had done a job on yesterdays with all her flailing, spitting, and vomit. It hadn’t occurred to her that she’d need a change of clothes for every day. She’d need to do laundry on Saturday and perhaps order two new outfits to make it a total of five in her wardrobe. Thank goodness she’d not need a new hat everyday, for she’d only splurged on two of those.

  Downstairs, Molly had a full brunch set out for her—food that qualified for both breakfast and lunch eaten at the same sitting. She was stuffed when she pushed away her plate. “Thank you again. You are a very good cook and I am blessed to have you tending to my needs.”

  “Need I remind you, that you pay me to do it, dearie,” Molly said, “but I’d enjoy spoiling you even if you didn’t have a dime. I’m a soft touch—but don’t tell anyone I said that. Can’t be having folks begging for charity at my door. This boarding house business keeps a roof over our heads and food on the table.”

  “I’m sure your neighbors have figured it out,” Shannon said, “but respect you far too much to take advantage of your generous heart.”

  “No one’s ever given me such a compliment. I shall sail high today, girl, pondering it.”

  “If they haven’t, shame on them. My parents always taught me to give credit where credit is due.”

  “Where do you hail from—before Maryland, I mean?”

  “Kentucky.”

  The woman gasped. “Not the Tyre Textile empire I hear so much about?”

  Shannon smiled. “The very same one.”

  “Toms Mercantile and the Top Design Tailor shop order a lot of their material from that manufacturing company, just minutes across the border.”

  Just what she was afraid of—her family lived too close. “I’d appreciate it if you just called me Shannon in public. I want to make it in Maple Grove on my own merits, not my family’s.”

  “I understand,” Molly said. “It won’t be me to spread the news of textile royalty in our midst.”

  “Good, then let’s stick to your prior hero suggestion.”

  After tapping on Dr. Franssen’s door, he yelled a not-so-welcoming “come in.” When he spotted her, he slammed the text book he was reading shut and stood to his feet. “Great—let’s get this day started.”

  Shannon wondered what had happened to the easy-going man who’d walked her home just hours ago. “Am I late?”

  “No! Does it always have to be about you?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I had a lousy book on the shelf about good and harmful herbs and plants, poisons, and even cures if there was one. But no—I almost let my sister die, and God had to send His angel to reveal how stupid I am.”

  “You’re not stupid,” Shannon argued. “Look at this dream enterprise you’ve created, undoubtedly the envy of all hospitals in Tennessee,
and one that builders will want to replicate all across our great country.”

  “Flattery! What do you really want here, Nurse Shannon, besides making me look ridiculous?”

  She was dumfounded. What had she done to offend him but identify his sister’s addiction and provide a remedy for it? Surely the man did not imagine he could stay on top of everything medical, old and new; a mind couldn’t hope to contain all that knowledge. “I don’t understand; last night you were ecstatic that your sister would live, that we could stop the progression of the poison in her system, and today you are angry—why—because I spotted the source of her trouble and not you?” She could feel silent outrage surging from within and bit her lip to stop the flow, but not before she muttered, “I wonder who of us is the one with low self-esteem now.”

  That appeared to calm him, to some extent. “I have a surgery in thirty minutes. Do you still want to assist?”

  “I do.”

  “Well then, let’s be off to wish our patient good luck.”

  “It is not luck that will heal your patient, Dr. Franssen. Your skills, used and blessed by God who is the ultimate healer, will be with us.”

  “You’re right, of course,” he said, in a not too complimentary tone. “Follow me.”

  Her first assist was the most exciting moments she’d spent in the field of nursing. To realize the intricacies of the body so close she could see the pounding of his heart and the life-giving blood circulating to keep it all running as it should. She closed her eyes as she scrubbed her hands afterward, to offer praise for such a miracle as the workings of inner man. She’d seen it in text books but this was exhilarating.

  “What are you thinking about, Nurse Shannon?” the doctor asked as he moved in beside her to wash. “You are absolutely glowing.”

  “The marvelous works of our Creator God. How can one doubt that we were designed from a higher source? It is beyond man’s wildest imagination.”