Dangerous Therapy: O'Connor Brothers (Volume 1) (6 page)

“Are you all fucking crazy?” John roared. A strange woman was living in the apartment attached to his house, and she was going to get him back on his feet. His family had completely lost their minds

“John, watch your language.” Kathleen reprimanded him. It made him feel like he was eight years old again. He shifted in the wheelchair, and pain shot through his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Mom but I don’t like the idea of someone I don’t know living in that apartment. Free of charge at that.” John was really trying to keep his voice down.

“It’s part of the contract with Aunt Cora, and this woman is very sweet.” Sean helped John remove his jacket. If his father was on board with this, John was fighting a losing battle, and he really didn’t like losing. He also didn’t like the huge grins his brothers were sporting. Grins he wanted to smack off each of their faces. When his parents left, they were all getting shit for letting this happen.

“I don’t want a stranger in my house, Dad.” John grimaced as his father pulled the jacket a little too hard on his injured shoulder.

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll mind.” Nick chuckled.

“Yeah, she’s going to give you the kick in the ass you need.” Mike grinned. He really wanted to punch them so hard. His glares at them had no effect. If he ever got back on his feet, he was going to make them pay dearly.
Fucking assholes
.

“So where’s this miracle worker that’s going to make all my God damn problems go away?” The tension was making his body ache even more. Since the accident, the pain was becoming the norm. He couldn’t move without something hurting. The therapists in the hospital said he wasn’t working hard enough. He gave up two weeks after he started and demanded that he be able to go home. He was sick of being poked and prodded. If one more person at the hospital told him he needed to work the muscles to get the strength and mobility back, he probably would have snapped.

“She’ll be here shortly.” Kathleen smoothed her hand over the top of his head. Then she disappeared into the kitchen with Sean behind her. Food was definitely involved. His brothers huddled together talking in hushed tones.

“Okay, assholes. What’s all the fucking smirks about?” John kept his voice low to make sure his mother didn’t hear.

“Jesus, John. Why don’t you calm down and just go with this?” Keith sounded annoyed. “What harm could it do?”

“I don’t want some old woman coming in here and forcing me to do stuff I know is going to give me more pain,” John grumbled.

“Maybe you should give it a chance. You haven’t given anything else a chance.” James growled. “You’ve been sitting around since the casts came off cursing at everyone and treating us like shit.” James walked closer and leaned down to eye level with him. “You’re acting like a fucking asshole, and we’re all tired of it. If you want to sit around and feel sorry for yourself, then go ahead, but for the love of God, give this a chance for Mom’s and Dad’s sake.”

John turned away from James and toward the fireplace. Easy for James to say. He wasn’t the one that would never be able to go back to work. He wanted to scream. Tell everyone to get the hell out of his house but that would make his mother cry. It would kill him to break her heart.

John was tired. He’d been home over an hour waiting for his live-in babysitter to arrive. His family’s excitement over this woman was playing on the last of his patience. Why should he tire himself out? She was going to be working for him, right. To hell with it, he was going to his room. He opened his mouth to ask one of his brothers to help when he heard the front door open. Aunt Cora’s voice floating through the house had John rolling his eyes.

“Boys, can you get the equipment in the truck and bring it into the spare room.” It was almost laughable how six grown men jumped, and ran whenever the women in his family spoke. All of them were not much bigger than five feet tall, but they ran the big burly men with iron fists. Himself included.

Wait, what was she talking about? What equipment were they putting in his spare room? He didn’t have a spare room. He had his bedroom and his home gym. His temper started to flare. What the hell did they do to his gym?

“Johnny, it must be good to be home.” Cora gave him a quick kiss on the cheek as she walked up next to him.

“What’s all that stuff?” He asked watching his brothers carry box after box back to the home gym. His fists clenched and he ground his teeth.

“Oh, Steph thought it would be a good idea to set up a therapy room in your house so you could get back into shape in the comfort of your own home.” Cora squeezed his shoulder.

“Oh, that’s what Steph thought, is it?” He didn’t try to hide his sarcasm. “And who gave anyone the authority to make changes in my house.” His blood pressure was rising and he could feel his face burning. “Who the hell does she think she is?” The stern voice stopped his tirade before it got off the ground.

“Now just one minute, young fella.” Nanny Betty stomped into the living room. Where the hell did she come from? He didn’t even know she was there. “We’ve had enough of yar self-pity.” She stood in front of John with her fists on her hips. “If I hear ya as much as speak a word out of line to this young one, I’ll show you exactly who I am.” John glared at Nanny Betty, but she could outglare anyone. “We’re trying to help ya, and sparing no expense to do it, because we love ya, and we want ya back to yar old self because this man ya are now, I don’t like him very much.” She reached out and cupped his cheek. “Johnny, we love ya, and we’re doin what’s best for ya. So ya treat this young lass with respect or you’ll have me to deal with. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Nan!” John felt like a kid. Nanny Betty had a way of doing that.

“There you are!” Kathleen reached for someone in the foyer. “I’m sure you heard Nanny Betty’s lecture, so there’s nothing to be worried about.” This was it. He was about to meet his babysitter. Jesus this was humiliating. John looked up as Kathleen walked into the living room. The woman she pulled behind her made his heart stop. Their gazes met and he couldn’t breathe. The name should have given him some clue. It was her.

Stephanie.

Nanny Betty didn’t sound very happy as Stephanie walked into the foyer. She smiled shyly at the six men lugging the equipment from Cora’s van. They were doing a lot of that over the past few days. They helped her move into the apartment and she had to admit watching their muscles flex as they carried things was very entertaining. They were truly a gorgeous bunch, but none of them sparked her interest.

“There you are.” Kathleen linked an arm with Stephanie’s. “I’m sure you heard Nanny Betty’s lecture, so there’s nothing to be worried about.” She wasn’t so sure about that. From what she overheard from James, Ian, Keith, Mike, Nick and Aaron, their older brother was not a happy camper. They were depending on her. This sweet family was putting all their hopes on her.
God help me.

Kathleen steered her toward the living room. Sean stood behind a man in a wheelchair with his fists pressed into his eyes. Nanny Betty gave her a triumphant smile as she hurried out of the room. Kathleen gently squeezed her arm.

“John, this is Stephanie,” Kathleen said cheerfully. John. She knew that name. It couldn’t be. When he looked up she gasped. Officer Hunky. She’d never even questioned the J. O’Connor written on the top of the file. Cora had called him Johnny. How did she not know the man she was supposed to be helping was the same man she couldn’t get out of her thoughts?

“Are you okay my dear?” Kathleen put her arm around Stephanie’s shoulder.

“Yes!” Her voice squeaked. “It’s just well…I ahh.” She didn’t know what to say.

“Mom, we’ve met before.” His deep rasp of his voice made her stomach flutter.

“You have?” Cora walked into the room. Sean was looking back and forth between John and Stephanie. All the noise of the men walking back and forth in the hallway stopped as though they were waiting for a bomb to drop. She shoved her hands into her jeans pocket. This was embarrassing.

“I pulled her over a few months back for running a red light.” The corner of his lips quirked up. Her cheeks heated.

“Oh dear.” Kathleen chuckled.

“Well, my sister was in labor, and she was screaming and I was really freaked out because it was happening so fast and ….” Stephanie slammed her lips together and clasped her hands together in front of her. Rambling was not helping the situation.

“John, you didn’t give the poor girl a ticket, I hope.” Kathleen wrapped her arm around Stephanie’s shoulder.

“No mom!” John shifted in the chair. Stephanie’s cheeks burned hotter by the minute when he explained. That day was etched in her memory. It was hard to wrap her head around the fact that the strong confident Police officer she’d met that day was the same man sitting in the wheelchair. He’d lost weight. His eyes didn’t have the light in them that she’d seen the first time she met him. He looked so broken and beaten.

“He was very understanding.” Stephanie wanted him to know how much she appreciated what he did that day. “And he was really sweet with my sister.” His eyes met hers. The same eyes in her dreams. Her stomach fluttered.
Butterflies
.
Really
. No man had ever had that effect on her with just a smile. That’s why his brothers seemed so familiar. Those blue eyes and dimples were family traits.

“I guess you can stop complaining about the stranger taking over your house now, huh John.” A voice came over her shoulder.

“Shut up, A.J,” John growled as his eyes glanced over her shoulder. A chorus of laughter and the expression on his face made her giggle. When he met her eyes again and she pressed her lips together. He was making it pretty clear when she walked in the house that he didn’t like the idea of her living in the apartment.

“You know John; she doesn’t look bad for an old woman.” One of the brothers spoke behind her. Another chorus of laughter. She giggled again. When he glared at her, she covered her mouth with her hand.

“Aren’t you guys supposed to be moving stuff?” John grumbled. The shuffling started behind her again.

John had tension written all over his face and dark circles under his eyes. Over the past couple of days, the information she received told her that he was angry. Who would blame him? He’d been a cop and was probably used to having people depend on him. Nobody liked to be dependent on other people. Especially strangers.

“I’m going back to the kitchen to finish cooking supper.” Kathleen gave Stephanie a quick side hug. “Sean, you want to help?” Sean nodded and followed Kathleen out of the room. Nanny Betty seemed to have disappeared, but the muffled sounds of pots told Stephanie, Nanny Betty wasn’t far. His brothers went back to bringing in boxes from the van and Cora followed them, leaving her alone with John.

“You’re welcome to take a seat.” John motioned to the large armchair in the corner of the room. She was glad he offered because her legs were weak.  “I have to say, I’m surprised.”

“Why?” Stephanie sat straight and clasped her hands in front her.

“I didn’t know you were a physical therapist and a personal care attendant,” He said. “I’m impressed.”

“One just led into the other.” She watched his brothers walk back and forth. “You know they really care about you.” He dropped his head.

“I know!” He lifted his head and met her eyes. It took her breath away. “I’m just worried they’re doing all this for nothing.”

“What do you mean?” This was the root of the issue. Like so many of her patients before, he didn’t believe he could get better.

“What if none of this works?” His voice cracked. “What if I’ll never be able to do the things I’ve always done? What if I can’t go back to work?” The tears in his eyes broke her heart. He really was giving up. This was not going to happen. Letting him give up was not an option.

“John, listen to me.” Stephanie laid her hand on top of his. “I’ve read your file inside out. I’ve spoken with your doctor as well as the therapist in the hospital. You don’t have any permanent damage. The problem is, all the muscles and tissues were compensating for the injuries. It’s going to take some time to get those muscles back in shape.” When he tilted his head, she knew she had his attention. “It’s not going to happen overnight, and it’s going to be a lot of work. It’s going to hurt. I won’t lie to you, but you will get better. If you work hard. I know you can do this, your family knows you can do this. They told me you’re not a quitter.”

“I never used to be.” He closed his eyes and sighed.

“John, I’m going to make you a promise.” She squeezed his hand and he opened his eyes. “You’re going to curse at me, and probably hate me, but if you do everything I tell you, I promise, you’ll be able to do everything you could do before the accident.”

“I don’t know if I believe that.” He pulled back and rolled his neck.

“Believe me, please.” Stephanie knew she was right, but convincing him was not going to be easy.

“I’ll try.” John sounded so defeated.

“Okay, we start right now.” She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “You need to rest.” The confusion on his face made her smile. “You haven’t been doing much for the past couple of months, and today’s been a long day. You need to lay down for a while.” Not giving him a chance to respond, Stephanie called out to one of his brothers. There were so many of them, but she was almost sure Nick was the one sauntering over to her.

“What can I do for you, Beautiful?” Nick winked. He was hot, but his attempt at flirting just made her mentally roll her eyes.

“Can you stop hitting on the girl long enough to help me into my room?” John snapped. Nick chuckled and pushed John to his bedroom.

Stephanie followed them into John’s bedroom. It was a large room and minimally decorated. A Double bed centered along one wall and a double dresser next to the bed. It looked like there was just enough room to walk between them. A side table next to the bed held a lamp and the intercom directly to her apartment. Something she suggested in case John needed her during the night. Opposite the bed was a large window covered in dark drapes that blocked out the light. She liked the room. It was small but cozy.

She steadied the wheelchair as John stood up. Nick stood close by in case John lost his balance or just needed help. Once John was safely sitting on his bed, Nick left the room with a wink at Stephanie. She didn’t miss John rolling his eyes. He didn’t seem to like his brother flirting with her. He probably thought it was unprofessional to flirt with the help. He carefully laid back on his bed and she didn’t miss the wincing as he moved.

“Now, get some rest.” She left the room.

With John settled, Stephanie needed to speak to his family. They were close. Nobody could argue that fact. They congregated together for John’s homecoming, and were all equally involved in getting everything set up for him. Her stomach was in knots because she had a feeling they were expecting a miracle. Making them understand John wasn’t going to get better overnight was step one. Getting John to understand he could get better if he worked hard was step two.

She walked into the kitchen, as Nanny Betty slapped Mike on the hand. He picked something off of a platter and Nanny Betty caught him. He chuckled as he leaned down to kiss Nanny Betty’s cheek but grabbed another piece off the platter. The woman didn’t miss it. She used the large spoon she was holding to slap him on the butt.

“Now ya get, Mikey.”

He winked at Stephanie as he hurried out of the kitchen.

“Would ya like a cuppa tea, Dolly?” Nanny Betty smiled at her.

“I’d love one, thank you. I’d like to talk to all of you as well.” Stephanie sat at the kitchen table.

“Is something wrong?” Sean’s face tightened. Probably thinking she was ready to back out of the contract.

“No, I just wanted to explain John’s treatment while he’s resting.” It was obvious where John and his brothers got their looks. Sean O’Connor was a very handsome man. He was about her parent’s age. His hair was a little darker than his sons with flecks of grey running through it. Of course, he had the dimples and the same deep blue eyes. It must be an O’Connor trait.

Nanny Betty hurried past her, and in seconds returned with John’s brothers. All eyes were trained on her. This must be what it’s like to be a teacher or public speaker. It was very nerve wrecking.

“Now, tell us everything, ducky.” Nanny Betty sat across from her at the kitchen table. James, Ian, Keith, Mike, Nick and Aaron stood around the kitchen. Sean and Kathleen sat at the table with Nanny Betty. Cora stood next to her and placed her hand on Stephanie’s shoulder. Ten sets of eyes stared at her. Ok. She could do this.

“John’s muscles are weak, and he has a lot of stiffness around his neck. I’ll need to complete a full assessment of him to see how much of his body was weakened by the injuries. The therapy will be divided up between each injury. One day we’ll work on his neck and back. The next day we’ll work on his leg.” Not one of the family interrupted her while she explained. All they did was nod, and keep their eyes glued to her.

“If you want, I can do up a full report with a more detailed explanation and give you weekly updates on his progress, but I would have to okay that with John, of course.” He was an adult and if he didn’t want them to know about his progress, she couldn’t betray his request.

“That’s not necessary. We know yar gonna make Johnny happy.” Nanny Betty pushed back from the table and went back to carving up a large turkey sitting on the counter.

“He’s going to get frustrated. He’s going to get angry, but that’s normal.”

“So what you’re saying is this could take months.” James crossed his arms over his chest. Of all the brothers, he seemed to be the least vocal.

“That all depends on John, and how well he takes to the therapy.” Stephanie met his eyes. James smiled. It was weird. James was gorgeous, but she didn’t feel the pull she was feeling with John. They were twins, but it was obvious they weren’t identical.

“I understand. It’s just…. John doesn’t seem like he wants to get better.” James closed his eyes and then opened them again. “It’s like he’s giving up.” His voice was strained, and glancing around the room there wasn’t a doubt they all felt the same way.

“He may very well be, but I’m a drill sergeant when it comes to my patients. If he thinks I’ll let him off easy, he’s in for a rude awakening. I’m no pushover.” Stephanie smiled. “I’m sure you know all about drill sergeants.”

“I sure do.” James chuckled and the mood in the room seemed to lighten. John needed to get back on his feet. Not just for himself, but also for his family. The whole bunch of them were going to be devastated if John didn’t recover.

“I have his program all worked out, and if he follows it, he’ll start to see improvement in a month or so.” She sipped the tea Kathleen had put down in front of her.

“Can we be here when you start yelling at him?” Aaron chuckled.

“I don’t yell.” Stephanie smiled. “Well, not unless I have too.”

“How do you know what to start with?” Aaron asked.

“First we start slow, and get his muscles strengthened as well as increase his mobility.” It was great the way they wanted to know everything. “I’ll also do massage therapy to loosen any muscle tightness.”

“I like that last part.” Aaron grinned.

“Shut up, A.J.” Keith chuckled. “Sorry, he’s a dog.”

“Aaron Jacob that’s enough,” Kathleen said. “Go on my dear.”