While Love Stirs (14 page)

“Not yet.” Charlotte squared her shoulders. “I want to be in charge of my aunt’s diet. I understand her needs better than Nurse Pierce, and I want your word she will adhere to whatever diet I set up.”

“Don’t you mean a diet
we
set up?”

“I believe I can handle it from here.” She tapped her foot impatiently. “Well?”

He met her gaze, but Charlotte didn’t back down. Finally, the corner of Joel’s lip quirked upward. “Well, Miss Gregory does have experience in this area, and if it will put her mind at ease to prepare a menu for her aunt, then I think we will allow her to do so.”

Ooooh.
Allow
her? This man could make her furious faster than anyone she knew.

The nurse’s face flushed. “I am perfectly capable of—”

“Nurse Pierce.” Joel’s voice was firm. “I said Miss Gregory would make up the menus, and I expect you to adhere to them.”

“Yes, Doctor.” Her words came out clipped. “I will go see to my patient now.”

Charlotte stepped out of her way. “And I’ll bring you up a fresh breakfast tray, but feel free to have the oatmeal yourself.”

The nurse shot her a glare, then strode down the hall.

Joel didn’t speak until the woman was out of earshot. “She’s a good nurse, Charlotte.”

Charlotte ran her hand along the smooth wood of the railing and tried to envision her anger sliding down the banister. What
had Aunt Sam warned her about? Being so passionate about this issue that Joel Brooks could misinterpret her zeal as not making a sound decision? This situation was a clear indication the nurses needed more education, and she needed to approach Joel with logic, step by step.

“I’m sure she’s competent in many areas, but Joel, this could have killed Aunt Sam. What if she had aspirated on the oatmeal?”

He rubbed his chin. “You’re right. In this area, Nurse Pierce erred. But remember, she’s a competent nurse or I wouldn’t have her tending your aunt. Go get the broth, and I’ll check her swallowing ability myself.”

“Thank you.” Charlotte stepped toward the staircase but turned back toward him. “I had no intention of interfering with her care when I woke up this morning.”

“I doubt you ever intend to interfere. Stirring things up just seems to be your way.” His eyes crinkled around the edges. “And this time it was a good thing. You may have saved your aunt’s life.”

There was a bounce in Charlotte’s steps she couldn’t explain as she departed. She refused to admit Joel’s words had anything to do with it. She was happy because Aunt Sam was awake and alert. That was all.

But if that was true, why couldn’t she wipe the smile from her face?

16

Something was wrong. Joel could sense it. He eyed his desk, then scanned the room. What was out of place?

His books! He hurried to his bookcase and trailed his finger over the spines of the leather volumes. Only one person would do this.

The door creaked open and he heard giggling on the other side.

“Mathilda Imogene Brooks, get in here and explain yourself.”

His sister eased the door open. With feigned innocence, she stepped into the room wearing her blue nurse’s uniform covered in a crisp white apron. Her nurse’s cap, slightly askew, gave her heart-shaped face an impish look. “You called?”

“I did.” He motioned his hand toward the shelves. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“What’s wrong with your books?” She kept her face devoid of expression.

“You know exactly what’s wrong with them. They’re not in alphabetical order.”

“Oh, and that’s a problem?” Apparently unable to control herself any longer, she erupted in a fit of giggles and sat down in the chair opposite his desk. “They’re only books, Joel. Besides, it serves you right.”

He started to rearrange the books. He should have made Mat
tie do it, but she’d probably put them in reverse order to annoy him even further. All his life, she’d loved to shift something out of place, first in his bedroom and now in his office.

To her it was a game. To him it was annoying, but he’d long since gotten over being too riled by it. He moved Lorenzo Lockard’s
Tuberculosis of the Nose and Throat
to its rightful place beside Franklin Mall’s
A Study of the
Causes Underlying the Origin of Human Monsters
. “It serves me right for what?”

“For not asking for me to take care of Samantha Phillips instead of Cora Pierce.” She picked up his letter opener and toyed with it. “You know I’m a better nurse, and I like the Gregory sisters.”

He shoved the last volume in an empty slot and returned to his desk. “You are a better nurse, but that’s why I didn’t ask for you. We need you too much here.”

She set the letter opener back down on the wrong side of the desk. “That’s very sweet of you to say, but you have to admit you had ulterior motives too.”

“And what, pray tell, would those be?” He moved the letter opener to its original position.

“Nurse Pierce has been carrying a candle for you for months. I’m thinking you figured this would be a good way to avoid her batting eyelashes and infernal sighs every time you appear.”

“She does not sigh every time she sees me.”

“Really?” She clasped her hands in front of her like a soprano in the choir, struck a pose, and batted her eyelashes. “‘Would you like some help with that, Dr. Brooks?’
Sigh.
‘Can I bring you a dinner plate, Dr. Brooks?’
Sigh.
‘You are so brilliant, Dr. Brooks.’
Sigh.
” She giggled and dropped her hands to her lap. “Swear to me you haven’t noticed.”

Joel shrugged and picked up a chart from his blotter. “Once or twice, maybe, but I would never allow an inferior nurse to tend to Char—Mrs. Phillips.”

“You were about to say Charlotte’s aunt, weren’t you?” Mattie’s lips curled in a smile. “Oh, I knew she’d caught your eye.”

“More like she caught my ire,” he mumbled as he reached for his pen. Every time he’d visited in the last four days, they’d had words of some kind. Why did she have such an uncanny knack of getting under his skin? “Don’t you have work to do,
Nurse
?”

“Yes,
Doctor
.” She came round the desk, hugged him, then made her way toward the door. She stopped in front of his bookcase. “By the way, how is Mrs. Phillips?”

“I’m very optimistic. Her speech is only slightly slurred and her mind seems sharp. Her left foot doesn’t seem to be cooperating well, but her hand doesn’t appear affected. She still needs her rest, but I think she’ll make a good recovery.”

She picked up one of his rowing trophies and dusted its base before setting it back down. “And is Charlotte Gregory overseeing her meals?”

“Every single bite.”

“I bet Nurse Pierce doesn’t like that one bit.” Seeming to be deep in thought, she slowly ran her hand along the length of the bookcase. “Hmm. I hadn’t thought about this before, but you and Cora Pierce might make a good pair after all, since you both like to have control so much.”

He jerked his head up to make a retort but only saw Mattie’s retreating figure, which was followed by the definitive click of the door.

Releasing a huff, he walked over to the bookcase and moved the trophy over two inches to the right. He did not have to be in control. It simply made sense for everything to be in its place. It was less messy that way.

And a cluttered life meant a cluttered mind, which would not get him where he wanted to be in life.

Charlotte removed the tarts from the oven and set them on a rack to cool. The whole house seemed to fill with the sweet scent of lemon. She smiled. Any minute, Lincoln, Hannah, and baby
Ellie would arrive for a visit with Aunt Sam. While Lincoln had been over to visit each day, Hannah had waited until Aunt Sam was stronger to bring Ellie in to visit.

It was a good thing they were coming. Aunt Sam had already tired of remaining bedridden and was growing petulant. This visit would surely lift her spirits.

Thanking Mrs. Agle for again sharing the kitchen, Charlotte untied her apron and hung it on the hook. The older cook never seemed the least bit possessive of the kitchen, but Charlotte didn’t want the woman to think she was intruding.

Too bad it wasn’t so easy to appease Nurse Pierce. Ever since Joel had directed Nurse Pierce to adhere to the menu Charlotte made for Aunt Sam, things had been tense. No matter what Charlotte did to make amends, the young nurse seemed intent on holding a grudge.

Even Joel had noticed. He took Charlotte aside and mentioned that any disharmony might have ill effects on Aunt Sam’s recovery, then suggested she do her best to make the situation work with the nurse.

Taken aback, Charlotte tried to explain she’d not done anything to irritate the nurse, but Joel didn’t seem to believe her. After he left that day, Nurse Pierce seemed more determined than ever to treat Charlotte badly—refusing her entry on more than one occasion, ignoring her concerns about Aunt Sam’s spirits, and talking about her to the staff. Tessa was tolerated only slightly better. Still, the nurse was incredibly kind to Aunt Sam. She’d not left her side, and she’d treated Aunt Sam with unbelievable gentleness. Charlotte had overheard her encouraging words on more than one occasion, assuring Aunt Sam not to fret, that she’d recover in time. Charlotte could deal with the nurse as long as Aunt Sam’s needs were met.

The brass knocker rapped soundly against the front door, and Charlotte hurried in the direction of the foyer. Even though the
butler would answer the door, she was so eager to hold the baby she couldn’t resist the urge to rush.

Dressed in a frothy moss-colored hat and wearing a matching dress, Hannah entered first. A swaddled Ellie lay nestled in her arms.

Lincoln passed the butler his hat and kissed Charlotte’s cheek. “How is Aunt Sam today?”

“If I say she’s as sweet as pecan pie, would you believe me?”

He chuckled. “No, I’m afraid I wouldn’t.”

Charlotte hugged her sister, then relieved her of her precious bundle. “I want a few minutes with my niece before I have to share her with Aunt Sam. I’m sure it will do Aunt Sam wonders to see all three of you, especially Ellie.”

Hannah followed Charlotte into the drawing room and sat down on the divan beside her. “How long did Dr. Brooks say Aunt Sam was to remain bedridden?”

“Another three days.” Peeling back Ellie’s blanket, Charlotte gushed over the baby’s tiny smocked gown and delicately crocheted booties. Hannah seemed delighted to show off her firstborn, and Lincoln’s chest puffed with pride. “Do you want me to rewrap her?”

“No, I think she’ll be warm enough. Here, I’ll take her. You don’t have to carry her up.”

“I don’t mind a bit.” Charlotte climbed the stairs, mindful of the sweet baby in her arms. Hannah and Lincoln followed behind her. She tapped on the door to Aunt Sam’s bedchamber and waited for Nurse Pierce to greet them.

The young nurse opened the door, saw them waiting, and scowled. Without speaking, she stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her. She frowned at Charlotte. “Why are you bringing a baby up here?”

“This is Aunt Sam’s grandniece.” Charlotte slipped her finger into Ellie’s tiny fist and cooed at the baby. “I think Aunt Sam would love to see you. Wouldn’t she, Ellie?”

Nurse Pierce propped her hands on her hips. “Even though you
aren’t a trained medical professional, I would think you’d know children carry all sorts of diseases.”

“She’s a newborn baby. She doesn’t carry anything but sweetness,” Hannah said.

“Mrs. Cole, your daughter is darling, but I’m afraid there will be no children visiting Mrs. Phillips.” She turned to Charlotte. “Miss Gregory, please take that child away.”

That child?
As if Ellie were some street urchin? Anger surged through Charlotte. How dare this woman try to keep them from seeing Aunt Sam?

Lincoln laid his hand on Charlotte’s shoulder. “We’ll wait to bring Ellie to see Aunt Sam, but what if Charlotte takes Ellie downstairs while Hannah and I visit?”

“Your aunt should be resting.” Nurse Pierce blocked the doorway. “She doesn’t need a bunch of visitors.”

“But I’ve been here to visit her every other day.” Lincoln rubbed his collarbone.

“You were here alone, Mr. Cole. Not with your wife.”

Charlotte stepped forward. “I see no harm—”

“Of course you don’t. You’re not Mrs. Phillips’s nurse, but I am.” She folded her hands in front of her. “Now, I need to get back to my patient.”

“Wait.” Lincoln’s voice was mica-hard. “I will see my aunt. Charlotte said her spirits were low, and I want to speak with her myself. If she’s asleep I won’t wake her, but I won’t leave without speaking with her at some point today.”

“Of course, Mr. Cole.”

Hannah laid her hand on his arm. “If Nurse Pierce doesn’t think it’s wise for me to visit right now, I’ll wait.”

Lincoln kissed his wife’s cheek. “I’m sorry.”

After Lincoln and Nurse Pierce slipped into the room, Hannah took hold of Charlotte’s arm, pulled her into one of the empty bedrooms, and closed the door. “What have you done to get on her bad side?”

“Nothing,” Charlotte snapped. “I swear nothing has happened except for our disagreement about Aunt Sam’s menu.”

Ellie began to fuss at the raised voices, and Charlotte shifted the baby to her shoulder and patted her back.

Hannah drew in a deep breath. “I’m sorry. Insulting my baby must have brought out the worst in me.”

Ellie began to fuss more so Charlotte passed her to her mother. Once Hannah was situated in the rocking chair to nurse, Charlotte took a seat on the bed. She picked at a nubby thread on the coverlet. Maybe she hadn’t started well with Nurse Piece, but why was Hannah being ostracized too? Maybe she should march up there and demand Nurse Pierce let her sister in.

“Charlotte, has she been treating you badly all week?”

“She’s a good nurse.” Charlotte stood and walked to the window. She pressed her hand against the cool frame. “She won’t be here long.”