Nurse to Forever Mom

by Susan Carlisle

  “Hey, there, Connor and Peyton. You two look like you are doing well.” Cody greeted them.

  “Hi, Dr. Brennan.”

  “So, what’s this group up to today?” Cody looked from Salty to Alonso and then to the twins.

  “We’ve just been listening to stories.” The twins looked at Salty with nothing short of hero-worship.

  “Your mom and daddy coming in this evening?” Cody asked.

  “Mom is. Dad has to work again.” Peyton fiddled with a string on her shirt.

  Stacey couldn’t help but feel sorry for the twins. They had been at the clinic for too long.

  “How’re you feeling, Salty?” Cody asked.

  “He’d feel much better if he’d stop holding court and rest more,” a gruff but caring female voice said behind them.

  They all looked toward Philomena, who was shuffling in using a walker.

  “Philly thinks she should run my life,” Salty grumbled. “Where I’d really like to be is off on my boat.”

  “Not until you’re completely well this time.” Philly sat in a chair beside him. “I’m too old to worry all the time.”

  Stacey didn’t miss him touching her hand for a second. They cared about each other more than they let on. What would it be like to have that type of connection with someone? She glanced at Cody. A girl could dream.

  “Sorry to interrupt but, Alonso, can I have a look at your incision sites?” Cody asked.

  The young man turned in his chair and pulled up his knit pants above his knee.

  “They look good,” Cody confirmed. “How’s the physical therapy going?”

  “Well, I think I’ll be better than ever on the court.” Alonso sounded pleased with his progress. “Thanks, Doc. I wouldn’t be this far along without you.”

  Cody lowered his head in a humble gesture. “You’ve done most of the work.”

  How like Cody. It was nice to work in a place with quality care and excellent doctors who weren’t full of self-importance. Stacey glanced at him again. Also, with devoted doctors. If she wasn’t careful she’d move from admiration straight into the hero-worship he had already warned her about.

  A few minutes later she and Cody left the community room. He headed down the hall in the opposite direction from the one she took. “Stacey.”

  She stopped and turned. Had he forgotten to tell her something? “Yes?”

  He stepped closer. “I...uh...wanted to apologize about the other night. I stepped over the line. It won’t happen again.”

  Here it was. What she’d been dreading but had thought by now wouldn’t come up. “It’s okay.” She lowered her voice. “It’s nothing against you. I just don’t think it’s a good idea for us to get involved.”

  “I agree.”

  He did? Her chest ached with regret. She shouldn’t feel that way. Didn’t she want him to agree? Protecting her heart was the priority. She was a short-term girl and he was a forever man. They would never work as a couple.

  Neither of them spoke as a nurse passed by.

  “Then I guess there’s nothing more to say.” Stacey forced a smile to her lips.

  He watched her for a moment before he said, “I have to get the girls.”

  * * *

  Cody had mulled the problem over for a couple of days now, trying to figure out what to do. He was attracted to his nurse. So much so that Stacey consumed almost all of his thoughts. Maybe it was because he couldn’t have her. Or it could just be because he’d been without a woman so long that anyone who showed him any attention appealed. Whatever it was, it had to stop. Seeing her every day didn’t help. He’d taken to counting the hours until Stacey left the island. At least then he would have some peace of sorts.

  She wasn’t a woman he needed to bring any further into his life. She already fit too well. His girls liked her too much. Like sunshine after the dark, Stacey added light to his world. She had been open and giving with his girls and they didn’t need to grow attached to someone who would be leaving them soon. Still, the need to get to know her, have her, gnawed at him. He just had to live through it for a couple of more weeks and then the problem would be solved for him.

  He’d just finished surgery and spoken to the family when she came up beside him. Without speaking, they walked to his office to finish some paperwork she needed to discharge a patient. Once again, he would be alone with her.

  She’d remained all business since his apology, which both helped and maddened him. He couldn’t think straight when she was around, especially when she came close enough that he caught her scent.

  She gave him a curious look. “Hey, what’s bothering you?”

  Cody glanced at her. Did she really know him well enough to recognize when something was disturbing him? Was he that transparent or had she been watching him closely enough to learn his moods? He wasn’t sure he liked either idea. Should he tell her? He sighed. No, that wasn’t going to happen. He’d find something else to say.

  “It’s not that big a deal.”

  “It must be something because you’ve been... I don’t know...preoccupied the last two days.”

  He huffed, giving her the only excuse he could come up with. “The girls need costumes for Founder’s Day. And the worst part is they need to be home-made. They have a dress rehearsal on Wednesday.” It might sound stupid but it was a very real problem he’d been struggling with whenever he could get his mind off her. Even better, he didn’t have to admit the real reason he was acting out of the norm—his battle to not kiss her whenever they were alone, which was far too often for his peace of mind.

  “And this is a problem why?”

  His arms went wide with his palms up. “Because I have nothing. Nothing. No ideas. No capability or even the desire to do it.”

  She actually laughed at him. Doubled over with it. Between gasping breaths, she said, “The super-dad is undone by costumes.”

  “It’s not funny.” He stalked into his office. At least being mildly irritated with her made him stop thinking about grabbing her and kissing her for all of a minute.

  “No, it’s not. I’m sorry I’m making fun of you. Would you like me to help?”

  Stacey had actually offered that after their “discussion.” She had made it clear they shouldn’t get mixed up in each other’s personal lives. Had she changed her mind? Whether she had or hadn’t wasn’t important. He could use her help. Should he accept her offer? She had said she liked to dress up. Surely she had some skills in that area. The girls had to have outfits.

  The only women he knew who might help were already busy. Maggie had her hands full with Jake. Fleur was running the show so she didn’t have time to take care of his girls. He probably could ask Brigid Brady from the bistro, but she’d expect more from him than he was interested in giving. Stacey was offering, and he was definitely interested in what she might expect of him in return.

  He hesitated a moment longer but couldn’t think of another choice he had. “Would you, please? Getting costumes together is not in my wheelhouse. Even buying them in a store gives me the hives but the idea of coming up with them on my own makes me want to pull my hair out.” He sounded pathetic even to his own ears.

  Stacey continued to grin. “Little dramatic, aren’t you? You’ve convinced me, if not for you, then for the girls. What are they supposed to wear?”

  “They need to dress like children of the historical period. You know, dresses or just something that’s easy but along that line. Remember me, that ‘no ideas’ guy?”

  She chuckled. He didn’t appreciate being laughed at, but he did enjoy the sound of her laughter. When it subsided she nodded. “Okay. When’s a good time for me to see the girls?”

  “I don’t expect you to do it by yourself. I can help.” He winced. “With some guidance.” He pushed the door to his office open. “I hate to take up your time off but being Saturday
tomorrow, the girls are also free—afternoon would be the best.”

  “I’ll be at your house at three. Does that work for you all?”

  “It does. I’ll try to have what the girls already own out for you to look at. Give you somewhere to start.”

  With great relief on two levels, Cody watched her leave his office a few minutes later. One, that someone else would be organizing costumes for his girls and, two, that Stacey was no longer standing so intimately close to him. He fisted his hands. Her scent still hung in the air.

  * * *

  Stacey arrived at Cody’s house the next day right on three. She was sure she was making a mistake by becoming further involved in Cody’s life. For a moment there yesterday she’d feared he would swoop her up into his arms when she’d offered to help him.

  She knocked on the front door. Seconds later there was the sound of feet running before the door opened and Lizzy stood there with a grin. Behind her was Cody. He wore a pullover sweater with a T-shirt beneath, jeans and socks. An unsure smile covered his lips.

  She shivered. Was she missing something?

  Lizzy pulled on her hand. “Come on. We have to go upstairs.”

  Stacey looked up to see Jean standing on the stairs. “Hi.”

  Jean quietly said, “Hi.”

  “Lizzy, let’s give Stacey a chance to come in.” Cody brushed Stacey’s back with his arm as he reached to close the door. She had no doubt it was unintentional but that didn’t stop her body from reacting. She’d made a huge mistake by coming here. Why had she opened her big mouth and suggested she help them? Because Cody had looked so pitiful and she’d been unable to stop herself from volunteering her talents. Or resist the opportunity to be a part of his family just once more before she left them behind forever. It was nice to feel needed, valued.

  “How’re you?” he asked, as if he really wanted to know.

  “I’m good.” She looked at Jean again who had come further down the stairs. “I’m ready to get started on costumes. How about you, girls?”

  “Better you than me,” Cody muttered.

  Stacey smiled. “I figured you’d think that.”

  “The girls have already gone through some of their clothes and put out things that you might be able to use. I apologize for the state of their rooms.”

  Stacey started toward the stairs. “No problem. We’ll see what they have.”

  “Let’s go.” Lizzy pulled on her hand. “This way.”

  Jean climbed the stairs and she and Lizzy followed. Stacey looked back at Cody, who followed them up. His brows were in a V of concern at the bridge of his nose. She grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

  He gave her a quizzical look. “You sure?”

  “Positive.”

  On the landing at the top of the stairs, Stacey stopped. “How about we start with you, Jean?”

  She stood inside a doorway. “Okay.”

  Stacey followed her into the room. It was decorated a bright yellow. “Wow, what a pretty room.”

  Cody moved to sit in a chair in the corner, out of the way.

  Jean gave her a slight smile and looked at Cody. “Daddy let me pick the color.”

  Stacey wasn’t surprised. Cody loved his girls and wanted to make them happy. “Let’s see what you’ve got here. I found a picture of what you need to look like on the internet. Do you girls have any boots? Maybe rubber ones? You know, the kind you wear in the snow?”

  “They do,” Cody said.

  Jean ran to the closet and returned with black boots.

  “Perfect.”

  “I have some too,” Lizzy confirmed.

  “Great.” Stacey ruffled her hair. “Then you can wear yours as well. Now for dresses. Let’s see what we have here.” Stacey looked through the clothes that were all topsy-turvy on the bed then turned to the closet. There she found a dress with long sleeves and would hang below Jean’s knees. Stacey held it up. “I think this might do. Jean, would you put it on with your boots?”

  The entire time she was working with the clothes she felt Cody watching her. She glanced up to confirm it. His dark look didn’t waver. “Jean, have your dad help you.” Maybe with Cody having something to do he wouldn’t have time to make her feel self-conscious.

  “While you do that, Lizzy and I are going to see if we can find something for her. Lizzy, how about showing me to your room?”

  The child skipped out of the room and down the hall. Stacey couldn’t help but like the girls. They’d had a hard start in life but were pleasant children. Jean still hadn’t warmed up to her but that didn’t matter. It was even better that way. If she did, it would just make it that much harder for both of them when Stacey had to leave.

  The girls’ bedrooms were side by side and they shared a bathroom. Lizzy’s room was blue and done in what Stacey guessed was a theme from her favorite cartoon show. Clothes were spread everywhere in there as well.

  On the floor Stacey found a dress similar to Jean’s and held it up. “This should do. Lizzy, will you put this on? And your boots.”

  She was in the process of removing her shirt when Stacey turned around. Jean had entered the room. “Why, Jean, you look great. All we have to do now is find you an apron, collar and head covering.” Lizzy was having trouble pulling her dress over her head and Stacey stepped over to help. “Now, what can we use for collars? Do you girls have any white scarves?”

  “I might have a couple,” Cody said from the doorway.

  Lizzy gave her a perplexed look “Scarf?”

  “You know, Lizzy. The kind Daddy wears when he’s going to an important meeting when it snows.”

  “I know where those are.” Lizzy shot out of the room, her boots slapping against the wood floor.

  “Wait, Lizzy, I’ll get them,” Cody called.

  Jean shot by her, going after Lizzy and Cody.

  Stacey followed more slowly. She stopped in the doorway of a spacious bedroom overlooking the back of the house. A wide bed faced a picture window framing a beautiful view of the ocean. There was a sitting area that included a TV and desk. On another wall was a chest of drawers.

  Cody was looking through the top drawer of the chest. He pulled out a scarf with an air of triumph. He looked at her. “Will this do?”

  “I believe so.”

  Jean joined Lizzy beside Cody. “Is there one for me?” She considered her father expectantly.

  Cody pulled out another one. “Back up, girls, and let Stacey do her thing. She’s the one with the plan.”

  All three of them turned to her with now what? expressions on their faces.

  “They go around your neck. The ends can be tucked inside your dresses.” She hadn’t moved from the doorway.

  “You can come in.” Cody’s voice held a hint of humor.

  Still Stacey hesitated. If she did, she was entering his personal space, the forbidden land. Even with the girls there it filled her with naughty anticipation. As if she were entering a place of excitement and danger. She refused to let him see that. “I know.” Taking a deep breath, she walked toward them. As innocent as the reason was, she was still in Cody’s bedroom. She looked around. It would be the one and only time.

  Cody’s gaze remained on hers as she came toward him. What was he thinking? Anything near her own thoughts? No, she’d made it clear the other night and again in the hallway of the clinic that she wouldn’t allow anything to happen between them. But had she really meant it? Had he accepted it?

  Jean handed her a scarf. “Do mine first.”

  Stacey blinked, her focus shifting to the eight-year-old. That was good. She had to quit thinking about Cody. Taking the scarf, she wrapped it around Jean’s neck, tucked the ends into her dress then fluffed it out around her neck. Standing back, she looked at her handiwork. “You’re starting to look like a real Pilgrim girl.”

 
“My turn,” Lizzy cried.

  Stacey did the same with her scarf. Done, she said, “Now we need to find you each an apron.” She turned to Cody. “Do you have any aprons in the kitchen?”

  “Are you kidding?” he croaked. “Never use them.”

  “Figures.” She looked around the room. “What can we use?” She pursed her lips in thought. A slow grin formed on her lips. She snapped her fingers. “Got it.” She looked at Cody. “I’m not sure you’re going to like this.”

  He took a step back. “What?”

  “I need a couple of your white dress shirts.”

  “Are you going to cut them up?” He sounded horrified at the idea.

  She grinned. “No, but they may take some wear and tear.”

  His chin drew back and he narrowed his eyes, looking unsure. “Okay, I guess.”

  The girls whooped and ran for the door. They soon returned, each with a shirt in hand.

  Cody’s eyes widened and his brows rose.

  “There a problem?” Stacey asked, standing beside him.

  “Those look like my very best shirts.”

  She giggled. Cody looked at her. His eyes sparkled and she wasn’t certain why but a hot spot formed in her belly in response.

  “Here.” Lizzy thrust the one she held at Stacey. Jean did the same.

  “What’re we going to do with them?” Jean asked.

  “Come over here and I’ll show you.” Stacey moved to the bed. Not one of her better ideas but she was left no choice but to follow through. Laying the shirt across the bedspread, she buttoned it up completely. She then flipped it over and smoothed the wrinkles out. What would it be like to do this while Cody was wearing it? She shook that pulse-raising idea out of her head. Folding the collar down, she rolled the shirt tightly past the shoulders.

  Cody groaned.

  She glanced at him.

  “My shirts will never be the same.”

  Stacey grinned. “You’re the one who asked for my help.”

  He winced. “I did.”

  “Okay, Jean. Turn around.” When she did so, Stacey adjusted the shirt so that the buttons faced inward then tied the sleeves at Jean’s back. “Okay, you can turn around.” Jean did so, and Stacey said with arms wide in a theatrical pose, “Ta-da.”