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“I’m sure you don’t but I’d like to know enough to help the families understand and also save you time when you talk to them.”
Cody couldn’t fault her logic. “I’m going to make the lining bleed and then suture it together. First I need to make another incision to work through to do that.” As he did so, blood oozed into the field, making his visibility poor. Without him having to ask, Stacey used already prepared gauzes on forceps to wipe it away.
“We need to get that under control before I continue,” he stated. “I’m ready to suture.”
His surgical nurse handed him the equipment required.
“Nurse Ryder, I need you to keep the area clear while I work.”
“Yes, sir.” She replaced the gauze and dabbed the area.
Cody watched. “Good.” He worked the thread into a neat stitch.
“Doctor, since you seem to have improved your tying skills since this morning, I’m going to speak to the family now. They must be anxious.”
Cody frowned at her. Her eyes snapped with humor. That second he realized why he recognized those eyes. She was referring to his inability to tie Lizzy’s bow. They would have a talk about her OR decorum later. His voice tight with disapproval, he said, “Please tell the family I’ll be out to see them in soon.”
“Yes, sir.” She quietly left.
For some reason the room suddenly felt cooler.
* * *
Stacey was still sitting with the family when Dr. Brennan strolled into the waiting room with a smile on his face. She had to admit it was a nice one. For a while there, she hadn’t been sure if he knew how to form one. It was so congenial she was sure if he turned it on her, her stomach would flutter. Stacey wrinkled her nose. Why would she think that?
Had she overstepped in the OR when she’d teased him about “tying” his stitches? By the steely look in his eye she might well have. Sometimes her humor was misplaced. She was so used to working in laid-back, often difficult conditions where levity was required. This wasn’t one of those situations. In fact, this was the nicest, most upscale medical facility she’d ever been in.
When the director of the World Travel Nursing Agency had told her about her next assignment, she’d shared with Stacey information about the fabulous care given at the Maple Island Clinic. It turned out it was true, right down to the beautiful island and the top-notch physicians.
Dr. Brennan certainly knew his stuff. She’d seen enough good and bad surgeries on her journeys to recognize a surgeon with exceptional skills. Not just the abilities acquired through training and experience, but that special touch inherent in someone devoted to his patients’ welfare. Did that quality extend to other areas of his life?
He’d been great with his daughter, despite his charming ineptness with her bow. It probably came more from being in a hurry rather than incompetence. Something about Dr. Brennan’s manner made her believe he worked hard at being confident and competent in every aspect of his life. She also had the idea he was driven to keep any weakness or flaws well concealed.
“Here’s Dr. Brennan now,” Stacey said to the middle-aged mother of their patient seated beside her. Releasing her hand, Stacey stood. “I’m sure he can tell you more.”
Dr. Brennan had pulled a long white lab coat over his scrubs. His thick chestnut hair was still mussed from removing his surgical cap. She guessed he’d only run a hand through it because a lock hung over his forehead. The effect gave him a less polished look than he’d had that morning in front of the day care. Deciding she liked this version better, Stacey stepped out of his way.
He sat on the edge of the chair she had vacated and turned to the mother. “Your son’s doing very well and is in Recovery right now. He’ll be in some pain, but I promise we’re handling it. You’ll be able to see him in about an hour.”
“Oh, Dr. Brennan. Thank you for taking care of him. Do you think this’ll get him back on the tennis court?”
He nodded. “I have complete confidence it will. Now, why don’t you go get something to eat and meet him in his room?” He turned to Stacey. “Nurse, would you please direct his family to the room where Mr. Washington will be?”
Stacey wasn’t sure where that would be, but she’d find out somehow. She wasn’t about to make her ignorance of that detail obvious to him so she answered with confidence. “I’ll be glad to.”
His attention returned to Mrs. Washington and he placed a hand on her shoulder. “If you need anything, will you let me or Nurse—”
“Please make it Stacey.” She looked at the woman with warmth before giving Dr. Brennan a pointed stare.
A thin smile curved his lips and he nodded once before leaving the way he’d come.
Stacey settled the Washington family in the patient’s room before returning to the waiting room to speak to the family of Dr. Brennan’s next surgery patient. When she checked in with him during surgery he gave her a brief, concise pronouncement that the patient was doing as expected. She left with a “Thank you, Doctor.” Again, she was with the family when he came in to speak to them.
Finished he stood, stepped away from the group and said, “Stacey, may I speak to you a moment?”
A shiver of uncertainty went through her. Yep, she’d overstepped. “Yes, sir.”
In the hall, he slowed long enough to say, “I’ll be doing rounds in thirty minutes. Meet me at my office in ten. Do you know where that is?”
“I’ll find it.”
He nodded. She was quickly learning it was his signature acknowledgment.
Stacey made sure she was a minute early when she knocked on his door.
“Come in.”
His accent wasn’t the typical clipped, sharp, New Englander one. What was his story? It didn’t matter. She wouldn’t be around long enough to really get to know him, or anyone else well. Four short weeks didn’t leave much time to create friendships. That’s how she’d spent most of her life. She never stayed in one place long enough to get close to people and start caring about them on a personal level, on purpose. She made sure to leave before she could be left. If you cared you got hurt. She’d had enough of that in her life.
Early in life after her father had left and then again when her mother had divorced her second husband, she’d learned not caring meant that you didn’t feel pain. The ache had been so great when she’d been a child she never wanted it to happen again. She’d do anything to make that not occur, to the point of remaining distant. People disappointed her if she let them close enough. When her mother had brought home her third husband, Stacey hadn’t even bothered to call him by his real name. Instead she made up a name for him, one she could easily forget. She’d spent most of her time in her room.
The only permanent person in her life was her mother and Stacey hadn’t seen her in over a year. In fact, she was due for a visit that Stacey planned to make before she left for her next assignment in Ethiopia. As soon as this placement was done she would spend a couple of days with her mother then not bother again for another year. She couldn’t rely on her mother, who had always had her own screwed-up life to worry about. The one time Stacey had let her guard down and let someone get too close romantically, he had disappointed her as well. Once again her heart had been crushed.
She’d been engaged. Had believed she had found the guy who would treat her as if she were special, one who would always be there for her, share the family with her that she’d never had. Instead she’d found out he’d been cheating on her. Their life together had been over before it had even properly started. Once again she was of no value to anyone. She’d ended their relationship with one of the same ugly scenes she’d witnessed her mother having when one of her relationships had ended.
That’s when Stacey had decided seeing the world and devoting herself to professionally caring for people was safer than nurturing the terminally ill hope that someone would someday actually want her, see her as essential to their life. Now she didn’t stay in one place long enough to allow a bond to form beyond what was necessary. It was better, simpler, and easier on her heart that way.
Dr. Brennan, sitting behind his desk, raised his dark head, his eyes studying her. She was sure his intent scrutiny wasn’t missing a thing. That shrewdness must be part of the reason he was such a well-respected physician in his field. She had researched him on the internet before agreeing to the job.
“I want to apologize for my comment in the OR. That wasn’t the place to tease you.” She walked further into the room.
One of his brows rose slightly. “I’m not used to being teased, in or out of the OR.”
Oops. She had no doubt that was true.
“We need to get to rounds. The girls have dance practice this evening.”
Thankfully he’d changed the subject. “Girls? As in plural?”
Standing, he moved around the desk. “My daughters.”
He was tall, her head only reached to his shoulder. His large open office seemed small with him in it. She’d only seen one child that morning. But he had another.
“Lizzy has an older sister, Jean. She’s isn’t quite so demanding and is far more independent. She’d already gone into day care when you came along.” He twisted his lips. “And didn’t require a bow.”
Stacey grinned. There was affection in his voice when he spoke of his children. That alone made her admire him. She’d never heard that from a man while growing up. Mostly she’d just been in the way.
He led the way out the door.
Prone to chattering when she was nervous, Stacey said, “This is an amazing clinic. Nothing like what I’ve been working in while I was in South America.”
“Thanks. It was a real answer to our prayers. Alex and I created a great place to work while still giving our children and the staff a quality place to stay while we do that.” He stopped at a patient’s door. “This is Mrs. Fitzpatrick. She had her surgery a week ago.” Dr. Brennan was back in doctor mode as he knocked on the door.
At the sound of “Come in” they did, him leading the way.
A woman in her mid-sixties with vivid white hair cut in a fashionable style sat regally in a chair next to the windows. Across from her in a matching wingback was an older man, who complemented her appearance. They had the aura of wealth.
Stacey took a quick glance around the room. The bed alone said that the Maple Island Clinic was a cut above other medical facilities. It looked like a typical one that might be found in anybody’s bedroom, but she was pretty sure that beneath the floral spread it functioned like a hospital bed. The view beyond the windows was of a spring-green grassy area leading to ocean waves. Stacey could well understand why people would want to come here to recuperate.
“Hello, Dr. Brennan,” the woman said proudly. “I’ve been up and moving around today.”
“That’s good to hear.” He stepped closer.
The older man stood and the two men shook hands.
Dr. Brennan turned toward her. “Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick, this is my new nurse, Stacey Ryder.”
Smiling at them, she said, “Please call me Stacey.” Then she addressed the woman. “I understand you had a knee replacement.”
“I did. Thanks to Dr. Brennan I’ll finally be able to get on the floor with my grandkids.”
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.
