While Love Stirs (15 page)

“You should speak to Dr. Brooks. He’d put her in her place.”

Charlotte wrinkled her nose. “I can take care of my problems. I don’t need a man to fight my battles for me.”

“You sound like me now.” Hannah laughed.

“Besides, he thinks I’m the one always stirring things up.”

Hannah sat Ellie up and patted her back. “Well, you are the current lady of this house. Aunt Sam has made it clear you’re in charge. You can dismiss her and hire a new nurse if you like.”

“I’ve considered it, but Dr. Brooks asked for her by name. If he has faith in her, then I think we should as well. Besides, you should see how devoted she’s been to Aunt Sam. She scarcely steps away from her side. She does seem unnerved by our family, though. I asked her about her own, and she didn’t answer. Perhaps she doesn’t have any.”

“Well, maybe you’d better start buttering her up with some of that delicious-smelling dessert downstairs.”

Charlotte shook her head. “They’re lemon custard tarts, and when it comes to me, I think she’s already sour enough.”

Smoothing the sides of her tight bun, Tessa smiled to herself. Stepping into her prim Miss Walker–like character each morning had become second nature, and on this sunny Friday morning, her plan to win the woman over seemed to be working. The real Miss Walker seemed to warm to her more each day and had begun to trust her with more tasks. Now if only she’d let her get near the stage.

Tessa closed the filing cabinet with a thud. “All finished. Anything else?”

Miss Walker looked up and smiled. “You’ve come a long way in a short period of time, Tessa. I must say I’m delighted with your progress. You may have a career in the theater after all—behind the scenes, of course.” She glanced at the wall clock and back at the paper in her hands before taking a deep breath. “On your way out, can I trust you to deliver this contract to the show’s director without creating a scene?”

The director? An electrical charge surged through Tessa and threatened to explode on her face in a broad smile. At the last second, she managed to remain in her Miss Walker character and gracefully stood. “Would you like me to go now?”

“Yes, I think that should work out well.” Miss Walker handed her the papers. “Be sure you don’t dawdle. Remember, the director is an important man, and we should not bother him in any way.”

Unwilling to risk Miss Walker changing her mind, Tessa walked with great decorum from the office. Once outside, she released a little whoop and scurried away. This was exactly what she’d been praying for—a chance to get on the stage.

Should she go backstage to find the director, Mr. Frohman, or should she look first in the auditorium? It simply wouldn’t do to look like she didn’t know what she was doing, even if that was the truth. But if she came in through the backstage, she might get a glimpse of the actors. That would be an added bonus.

Having already poked around after her regular hours, she located
the hallway leading to the backstage door. At the end, she slipped inside and stood there for a minute. It even smelled richer. Could the air smell rich with opportunities?

Heavy ropes hung to the hardwood floor to move settings and close curtains. A few props lay scattered around—a throne, a kerosene lamp, and chairs in various sizes. Voices from onstage told her the actors were in the midst of practicing. Perhaps she should go around to the auditorium after all.

“There you are.” A man wearing a patterned vest waved at her.

“Me?”

“Well, who else would I be talking to?” He thrust a script in her direction. “I’ve marked your lines. You don’t have much time to learn them, but there are only a few, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“But—”

He stepped behind her and gave her a little shove. “Get on out there. Stage left. You’re by the door. We don’t want to keep Mr. Frohman waiting.”

Tessa swallowed hard and stepped out on the stage. Was this really happening? Electric lights at the foot of the stage blinded her for a second, and she looked back at the man she guessed to be the stage manager. With a flick of the wrist, he waved for her to hurry to her place.

Three beds sat in the middle of the stage. A man lay on the floor near the last bed.

“Take it from the top of scene five,” the director called out from his seat in the auditorium. She glanced down at her script, which was open to the scene, and noted the lines of Liza were starred. She closed her eyes. Who was Liza in
Peter Pan
?

Wait a minute. She’d read enough of the reviews in the office upstairs to know.
Peter Pan
was J. M. Barrie’s whimsical tale of a boy who refused to grow up. Peter took the Darling children to Neverland. Liza, the Darlings’ maid, was in charge of watching over the children while they slept, but she failed to stop the children from leaving the nursery with Peter Pan.

The man lying on the floor raised his head and scowled. “That’s your cue.”

She looked down at the script in her hand and then up at the director.

It was now or never.

17

A ruckus offstage caused the play practice to come to a halt. Tessa continued delivering her line, then craned her neck to the side to see what was happening.

A tall, middle-aged woman pointed her finger in Tessa’s direction. “Who is she? I’m the actress who’s supposed to take over Liza’s part!”

Tessa slinked behind the prop door. If only she had some pixie dust right now to make herself invisible.

“What’s going on back there?” Mr. Frohman bellowed.

The stage manager walked out onstage and the disgruntled actress followed. “Apparently we have two actresses here to play the role of Liza.”

“How did that happen?”

The stage manager shook his head. “I don’t know. When Miss Gerard had to leave because of her family emergency, I sent the telegram you asked me to.” He turned to the actress. “This is Maude Gilroy. She said she came from Minneapolis and was sent by your friend.”

Mr. Frohman climbed the stairs to the stage and crossed his arms over his chest. “Then who’s the girl?”

The stage manager motioned Tessa forward. “Go ahead. Tell Mr. Frohman your story.”

A boulder settled in Tessa’s stomach. She wiped her damp palms on her skirt and stepped forward. “I’m Tessa Gregory.”

“Did Harstad send you from the Orpheum in Minneapolis?”

“No, sir. I came to deliver this contract to you.” She swallowed hard, pulled the paper from her pocket, and passed him the contract she was to deliver earlier. “I believe the stage manager mistook me for the actress he was expecting.”

Mr. Frohman’s eyebrows rose. “You’re not an actress?”

Heat singed her cheeks, and she lowered her gaze. “I’d like to be, but no, I’m not. I work in the office here at the theater. I’m very sorry.”

He waved off her attempt to rectify the situation. “You.” He pointed to the new arrival. “Stand by the girl.”

The woman stomped over to Tessa’s side, sulking. Mr. Frohman walked across the stage in front of the two of them, rubbing his bearded chin, and stopped in front of Miss Gilroy. “You can return to Minneapolis. You’re too old and too tall for the role of Liza. This girl will be fine.”

Her mouth fell open. “But she has no experience.”

“She’s already shown us she can handle the role. Thank you for coming, Miss Gilroy. Tell Harstad hello for me.” He turned and started for his seat. “Let’s pick up from where we left off.”

“Well, I never—” Miss Gilroy stomped off the stage.

The stage manager nudged Tessa’s arm. “I think you’d better get to your place before he changes his mind.”

As if she were Peter Pan, Tessa felt like she could fly to her spot on stage. She’d done it. God had answered her prayers, and she was an actress in a real play. She fiddled with her script, and it fell open to a phrase someone had jotted in the margin. “All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.”

Right now, Tessa must surely be sparkling with all three.

The front door banged open in the foyer. Startled, Charlotte dropped her fork and it clattered against her plate. She looked at
Hannah and Lincoln, who’d come for dinner. Who would enter Aunt Sam’s house and make such a ruckus?

“Stay here.” Lincoln set his napkin beside his plate. “I’ll see what’s going on.”

Before he stood, Tessa flung open the dining room’s French doors and burst inside. “You’ll never believe what happened. Not in a million, billion, trillion years.”

“Tessa, breathe.” Hannah patted the chair beside her. “Come sit down and tell us what you’re talking about.”

“I can’t sit. I’m too excited.” She clasped her hands under her chin and bounced on her toes.

Charlotte chuckled at her sister. “Don’t hold us in suspense any longer. What are you so excited about?”

“I got a part in the play at the Metropolitan!” she squealed.

Lincoln cleared his throat. “What? How?”

His words were drowned out, however, when Hannah and Charlotte both jumped to their feet and surrounded their little sister, hugging and congratulating her.

“Shhh!” Nurse Pierce stood between the French doors with her finger pressed to her lips. “I could hear your yammering all the way upstairs. Have you no consideration? It’s not good for Mrs. Phillips’s delicate condition.”

Charlotte whirled toward the nurse. “I don’t think our little celebration would upset Aunt Sam one bit. In fact, I think she’d be delighted. Tessa, why don’t you go up and share the news with her right now?”

“Absolutely not.” Nurse Pierce spread her arms wide to bar Tessa from leaving but kept her gaze locked on Charlotte. “She’s eating the exact dinner you, Miss Gregory, planned for her—although I think it’s much too rich. When she’s done, she needs her rest. She’s hardly slept all day, and I’m concerned about her.”

“But she was fine when I left her.” Lincoln set down his water goblet. “I think a little visit from Tessa while she eats would help, not hinder, my aunt’s recovery.”

Nurse Pierce lowered her arms and folded her hands in front of her. “Very well, sir. I’ll not go against your wishes. If you’d like the girl to visit, then so be it. But remember, I am not responsible if your aunt relapses.”

Tessa hung her head. “I don’t want her to get sicker. I can talk to her in the morning, and I’m sorry for making such a fuss.”

The nurse nodded. “And I apologize for being so abrupt. Enjoy your dinner.”

Everyone returned to their places, and Hannah began to pepper Tessa with questions. Charlotte wanted to join in, but her thoughts turned to the nurse. She looked down at the congealed gravy on top of her mashed potatoes, now cold and unappetizing. It was just as well. Another conflict with Nurse Pierce had soured her stomach.

What would happen come Monday when she had to leave on another lecture tour? Would Nurse Pierce follow the diet she prescribed? Worse, would she continue to keep Aunt Sam from seeing her family?

Accidentally eavesdropping on patients happened, but this time Joel stood at Mrs. Phillips’s bedchamber door and listened to Charlotte speaking with her aunt. By scooting to the right, he could see the two women chatting. Mrs. Phillips sat upright in bed, propped against a mountain of pillows. Charlotte sat on the edge of the bed, her hair hanging loose down her back like a russet river. Nurse Pierce, to his surprise, was nowhere in sight.

Since he was much later than usual, they probably didn’t think he’d stop by tonight. He’d been drawn to the house. But why? Mrs. Phillips was on the mend, and visiting her could have easily waited until morning. Still, he’d learned not to ignore the Lord’s prodding.

“If I have to stay in this bed one more day, I think I’ll scream.” Mrs. Phillips banged shut the book she was holding. “And why is
Cora so mean to you? I’m sure Dr. Brooks would request a different nurse if we asked.”

“Do you like her?”

“Yes, I do, but I don’t like how she treats you.”

Joel shifted his weight to his other foot. Funny, Charlotte hadn’t mentioned Nurse Pierce giving her any problems. Then again, maybe Charlotte had done something to upset the nurse. She did have that ability. On the other hand, he imagined Nurse Pierce liked things her way.

“She’s a good nurse, and so far she’s managed to make you follow the doctor’s orders. I can handle her attitude toward me as long as she treats you well.” Charlotte stood and rearranged some flowers in a tall pink vase. “You seem in better spirits tonight.”

“And you could tell that from my complaining?” She laughed. “If my spirits seem better, it’s from those delicious meals you planned for me.”

“You really believe they are helping?”

“Absolutely. When the tray comes with flowers or ribbons, with food on those pretty dishes, I do feel better just looking at it. Like someone cares. Then, when I’m able to feed myself the foods on it, it lifts my spirits. It makes me feel like I’m not an invalid. I know you planned all that and made sure it was tasty to boot.”

“I only wish Dr. Brooks could hear you say that. It’s important for patients to be able to do things for themselves.”

“And hearing Tessa’s news was exactly the medicine I needed. Thank you for sneaking her in while Nurse Pierce was resting. Tessa is still so excited. I want to see her in that production, which is another reason why I need to get out of this bed and get to working on this uncooperative foot.”

Sneak Tessa in? Why would Charlotte have to do that? He’d put no limitations on visitors.

“Dr. Brooks, thank you for waiting for me,” Nurse Pierce said from behind him.

He turned to find her eyelashes flapping like bat wings. “Uh, yes, shall we see to our patient?”

“Certainly, Doctor. She is so lucky to have such a dedicated and talented physician.”

Joel groaned inwardly and motioned for her to precede him into the room. “Hello, Mrs. Phillips. You’re looking well this evening.”

Charlotte moved to stand beside the bed.

“Miss Gregory.” He nodded.

“Remember, call her Charlotte.” Aunt Sam pressed her hand to the bow at the neck of her gown. “And I’ll have you know I will be getting out of this bed tomorrow, with or without your blessing.”

“Aunt Sam—”

“Dr. Brooks and I will take it from here, Miss Gregory.” Nurse Pierce picked up Aunt Sam’s wrist and pressed her fingers to her pulse. “I’m sure you have other matters that need your attention.”

Charlotte gave a tight smile. “Yes, I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”

Nurse Pierce didn’t look up. “We’ll be fine. Won’t we, Doctor?”

A twinge of anger made Joel’s temple throb. It had been a long day, and now the tension in this room was palpable. Charlotte kept her gaze averted as she slipped from the room. He sighed. He’d ask Charlotte about the problem between her and Nurse Pierce before he left. It wasn’t good for his patient.

Following his examination, Joel gathered his bag and hurried downstairs to give Charlotte the good news that her aunt was indeed ready to become ambulatory. He’d bring a cane by tomorrow after church services if they didn’t have one in the house.

As he approached the kitchen, he could hear Charlotte singing a hymn in a soft, sweet voice. Good. Maybe she had put the affairs from upstairs aside. If he was lucky, perhaps she’d offer him a piece of whatever she was cooking. It smelled delicious. Fresh bread? No,
who would bake bread this late at night? Besides, it sounded like she was chopping something.