Читать книгу Nursing the Soldier's Heart - Merrillee Whren - Страница 11

Chapter Three

The next morning the sunbeams danced between the trees, highlighting the colors of the changing leaves, as Kirsten hurried across the portico of the administration building, with its cobbled pavers and white Georgian columns. But a thundercloud clustered in her mind when she entered the reception area and spied Brady lounging against the desk while he talked with Lovie Trimble, the receptionist, whose greetings never failed to brighten everyone’s day. Thinking she could avoid Brady, Kirsten was about to turn around and come in the side entrance when Lovie called to her.

Her plan foiled, Kirsten waved and worked up a smile. She forged ahead while Brady grinned at her. Her opinion hadn’t changed. Despite his interest in his grandmother, he came across as cocky, flippant and shallow, doing whatever he could to charm his way through life. She didn’t want to talk with him, but she supposed interaction was inevitable while Cora was in the nursing facility.

“Hi, Lovie, Brady. How’s everything?”

“Good.” Lovie’s brown eyes twinkled. “So I see you’ve met Cora’s grandson already.”

Kirsten didn’t trust the look in Lovie’s eyes. She nodded and hoped the older woman didn’t try any of her matchmaking plays today. The silver-haired grandmother prided herself on being the first to recognize that Ian and Annie belonged together. Now she considered herself an expert in romance. She was working double time to find a match for the women’s ministries director, Melody Hammond. Kirsten hoped Lovie’s focus remained on Melody, but Kirsten didn’t see Brady as much of a match for Melody, either.

Brady waved a paper in Kirsten’s direction. “Got my medical power of attorney.”

“So, then you’ve met Ian?” Kirsten asked.

“Yeah, he got me what I needed.” Brady nodded in her direction. “Now you can tell me everything I need to know. How about lunch?”

Kirsten didn’t know what to make of his invitation. Was this strictly business or something else? Why had she even asked that question? Of course it was business. He wanted to know about Cora. “I can’t today. I’m going to lunch with my dad. In fact, I’m here to meet him.”

“He works here?”

“Yes. My dad’s Adam Bailey, the director here at The Village of Hope.”

An expression Kirsten couldn’t define crossed Brady’s face. “Ian said I should meet the director of The Village. Will you introduce me?”

Kirsten didn’t see how she could refuse Brady’s request. “Sure. Come with me, and you can meet him before we go to lunch.”

“Thanks.” Brady turned back to Lovie. “Good to meet you. I’ll be seeing you around.”

“Welcome to The Village. You take care of that grandmother of yours. Grandmothers are important people.” Lovie patted her silver hair.

“You can count on it.” Brady fell into step beside Kirsten. “Is this lunch a special occasion?”

“Not really. We do this a few times a month.” What would her father think when she showed up with a guy sporting a dozen tattoos? Probably nothing as long as his daughter didn’t want to date the man. Her dad was used to dealing with people who flaunted tattoos, nose rings and the like. He’d learned not to judge people by their outward appearances except when it came to her dating choices. Then it was a completely different story.

“Must be nice to be close to your parents.”

“Parent.” Kirsten stopped in front of a door beside a brass plate engraved with Adam Bailey’s name. Before she opened the door, she turned and looked at him. “My mother passed away not quite a year ago.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” He dropped his gaze. “I shouldn’t have assumed.”

“That’s okay.” His statement about being close to parents was odd considering he hadn’t cared enough about his grandmother to visit her in years. Cora seemed to dote on him even though she had mentioned parting with Brady on a bad note. Kirsten knew she should be less judgmental, but the bad thoughts about Brady didn’t subside. Although she’d lost her mother, she had no idea what it would feel like to lose a mother as a young child and then be abandoned by a father, too.

“How’s your dad doing?”

Brady’s question surprised Kirsten. Maybe the guy did care about other people. He was hard to figure out. One minute he seemed self-absorbed, the next he was asking about her dad. She shouldn’t be afraid to get to know him, but she sensed danger lurking around him. Surely she was overreacting. “I guess as well as can be expected. He doesn’t like to talk about it, and I’m not sure whether that’s good or bad.”

Brady shrugged. “I’m sure he’s glad you’re around to help him through this.”

Another surprising statement. “Yeah, but being nearby gives him too much time to think of ways to run my life.”

“That’s why you’re working here?”

“No. That was my choice, but he wasn’t happy when I decided to get my own place.” Kirsten put her hand on the doorknob. “Do you suppose his ears are burning since we’ve been standing out here talking about him?”

Brady gave her a wry smile. “He’s probably wondering what’s keeping you.”

Kirsten glanced at her watch and opened the door. “No. Right on time.”

“Is your dad a stickler for being on time?”

“Absolutely, but he’s had to cut other people some slack because car trouble has made him late several times in the past few months.” Kirsten stepped into her dad’s office and spied him standing next to the printer as it spewed forth papers. “Hey, Dad. You ready for lunch?”

Adam looked to the clock on the wall. “Ready.”

Kirsten gave her dad a hug. “Dad, I want you to meet Brady Hewitt.”

An expression of concern flashed across her dad’s features as he extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Brady.”

Her dad’s expression made Kirsten wonder whether he was worried that Brady was her new love interest. She’d better put her dad’s mind at ease. “Brady is Cora Barton’s grandson. You remember Cora, right?”

Adam nodded as the tension in his shoulders appeared to ease. “Your grandmother is a lovely lady. We enjoy having her here at The Village. I understand she’s making a good recovery from her broken hip.”

“It seems so. I need to give you one of these for your records.” Brady handed an envelope to Adam. “This is a copy of the medical power of attorney I have for my grandmother.”

Adam took the envelope. “She’s smart to have you do this. As our residents age, it’s good to have someone to help them with their medical decisions. I’ll file this away right now.”

Kirsten gave Brady a tentative smile while her father disappeared into a smaller room off his office. Now what? She didn’t want to invite Brady to lunch. His presence would remind her of her ill-fated college romance—the one her father had discouraged, and the one she should’ve known was a wrongheaded choice. Her father had been right about the guy who eventually broke her heart. She’d assumed her father was judging her former boyfriend on his tattoos, earring and long hair, but she realized later that wasn’t the case. Her father had seen through the guy’s charming facade while she’d been completely oblivious to his deceptions.

Her father had recognized bad character when she hadn’t. She’d hated knowing her dad had been right, and she’d been so wrong. Her broken heart had led her to the mission field. The situation had shown her that God could use any circumstance for His purpose. But even after that experience, she had a hard time always seeing God’s hand in unfortunate events—like her mother’s death or the lost opportunity to adopt three little children. What good had come from that?

“Thanks for the introduction.” Brady turned toward the door. “I’ll probably see you later when you come on duty.”

“Sure.” Kirsten breathed an inward sigh of relief as Brady opened the door.

“Brady.” Adam stepped back into the room. “Kirsten and I are about to go to lunch. We’d like you to join us.”

Speak for yourself, Dad. Kirsten bit back the words. She looked at Brady to gauge his reaction to the invitation.

Brady smiled, then looked at her as if he was seeking her approval. “Sure. Thanks for inviting me.”

Brady’s expression didn’t go along with his brash attitude. Maybe she’d imagined the look. She didn’t want him to go to lunch with them. With her dad there, she wouldn’t be able to tell Brady anything about Cora. So why did he want to go? Shouldn’t he be having lunch with Cora?

Kirsten tried not to analyze the situation further as she followed her dad and Brady to her dad’s car. She needed to develop a better attitude. Today’s lunch with her dad and Brady would test her ability to reach that goal.

* * *

The white iridescent vase full of pink roses and white calla lilies shimmered like a neon sign as it sat on the counter at the nurses’ station. The bouquet seemed to whisper, I’m really a nice guy. You just need to get to know me. Kirsten tried to purge the imagined message from her thoughts.

“I’d say Brady’s trying to impress you.” Jen grinned.

“He’s just thanking me for introducing him to my dad.” Kirsten wondered whether Brady had asked her dad about her favorite flowers. Otherwise, how would he have known?

Jen gave Kirsten a dubious look. “There’s more to those flowers than a thank-you.”

Kirsten shook her head. “You have no idea what happened yesterday.”

“I’m all ears. Give me the scoop.” Jen settled back in her chair.

“When I introduced Brady to my dad, he invited the guy to lunch.” Kirsten shrugged and held up her hands in a gesture of helplessness. “That’s the last thing I wanted, but it gets worse.”

“How does worse translate to this beautiful bouquet?” Jen gestured toward the flowers.

“First, we were talking about the wedding. Then Brady says he needs to get a suit, so Dad invites him over to check out one of his suits.”

“So your dad lent the guy a suit. What’s so bad about that?”

“Nothing if it had stopped there.” Kirsten released a loud sigh. “When I stopped by Dad’s office before I came to work, he informed me that Brady is going to rent a room from him—not just any room, but my old room.”

“You didn’t want it, so what’s the problem?”

Kirsten shook her head. “I don’t know. It seems weird to have this guy living in my old room.”

“Did you ever think your dad might be lonely, and having someone else in the house is a real plus? It’s probably a win-win for both of them. Your dad doesn’t have to come home to an empty house, and Brady has an inexpensive place to live while he looks for a job.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

While Kirsten checked patient records on the computer screen, she wondered what Brady might be hiding. Why was his job experience something he’d had to think about at lunch? Had he been involved with something illegal? Those tattoos could mean he’d been in some kind of gang or something. Maybe she’d been reading too many suspense books lately.

“I’m not quite sure why you have this hostility toward the guy.”

“It’s not animus. It’s caution.” Kirsten looked up.

“And why do you have to be cautious of a man who sends flowers?”

“You’ve answered your own question. Why did he send flowers?”

“To say thank-you. That’s what you said.”

“I was only trying to find an explanation, but he may have some ulterior motive.” Kirsten frowned. “What do we really know about him other than his relationship to Cora?”

“He’s good-looking.” Jen grinned.

Kirsten swatted at Jen. “Be serious. I’m worried about my dad inviting a stranger to share the house.”

“Don’t you remember the scripture from Hebrews that says if you practice hospitality you might unknowingly entertain angels?”

Kirsten didn’t want to think about the scripture reference. “He’s the only family Cora has left. He should’ve let her know where he was.”

“Fair enough, but I’d say he’s trying to make up for it now. Give him a chance to prove himself. You could still ask him to be your date for the wedding and get to know him better.”

“And why would I want to do that?”

Jen raised her eyebrows. “Because he’s good-looking?”

“Give up. I’m not interested.” Kirsten’s thoughts about Brady battled back and forth. One minute she was ready to cut him some slack because he had a legitimate reason for not answering his phone messages, but the next minute she couldn’t forget Cora’s distress when they couldn’t reach him.

He still had years of neglect to answer for. If you loved someone, how could you ignore them for months at a time, especially a grandmother who’d raised you? Kirsten’s judgmental attitude didn’t die easily when it came to Brady.

Jen shook her head. “You know what they say. Never give up.”

“Please. He’s only twenty-nine. I’m five years older than he is.”

“Is that a problem?”

“I don’t think it’s a problem.” A male voice sounded from around the corner an instant before Brady appeared.

Kirsten’s heart plummeted into her stomach as she quickly lowered her gaze. Her face flaming hot, she didn’t dare to look up. How much of the conversation had Brady heard? He must have heard enough to know they’d been talking about him. She wanted to crawl under the desk. What could she possibly say? Now he would surely have the wrong impression. Deciding not to respond to his comment, she shot a dagger-filled look in Jen’s direction, then finally found the courage to smile at Brady. “Thanks for the flowers. They’re lovely. My favorites.”

Brady grinned. “Your dad said you’d like them. Did Cora like hers?”

“I haven’t been down to her room since I came on duty. If they’re as beautiful as these, I’m sure she did.” Kirsten let this information filter through her mind. So Brady liked sending flowers. There was nothing special about her bouquet. Why did that disappoint her?

“I’ve been job hunting most of the day.”

“Any success?” Kirsten hoped her question would permanently steer the conversation away from her comment about his age.

Brady nodded. “I have a few leads. The job counselor here was very helpful. I’m glad your dad suggested I talk to her.”

“My dad tells me you’re renting a room from him.”

“Yeah. It’s a real help while I’m trying to find a job.”

“I’m glad he was able to help you.”

“Me, too.” Brady winked at her. “And for the record. I like older women. Underneath your prickly exterior, I’m sure there’s a heart of gold. And I intend to find it.”

Kirsten stared after Brady as he sauntered down the hallway without a backward glance. How had he managed to insult and compliment her all in one statement? How could such an insolent man make her heart flutter?

Jen swiveled her chair until she was facing Kirsten, then laughed out loud. “This is going to be fun to watch.”

“There isn’t going to be anything to watch.” Kirsten was determined not to let him get under her skin or into her heart.

Jen laughed again. “I wouldn’t count on that. I’m pretty sure Brady Hewitt doesn’t lose when he sets his mind to something.”

“Count on this. Brady Hewitt has met his match.”

“You might be right.” Jen smirked. “You realize what you just said, right?”

Kirsten shook her head. “Don’t misinterpret my meaning.”

“The way I see it, there is no misinterpreting the sparks flying around here when you two are together.”

“Don’t you have work to do?” Kirsten narrowed her gaze.

Jen glanced at her watch. “Yeah, I’m off to deliver meds.”

As Jen pushed her cart down the hallway, Kirsten rubbed her temples with her fingertips. Brady Hewitt was one big headache. At least he let you know where you stood with him.

Was she huffy, or was it only with him? He seemed to bring out her judgmental side, and that wasn’t a good way to be. Had God sent Brady into her life to help her see the need to change her attitude?

Do you ever think these things have happened because God has another plan for your life? Jen’s question floated through Kirsten’s mind.

Kirsten didn’t want her plans to be different, but the future didn’t lie in her hands. She had no control over the Brazilian government’s decision on her visa or Brady’s presence at The Village. She would have to make the best of whatever came her way—like it or not.

* * *

“How’s the physical therapy going?” Kirsten patted Cora’s shoulder.

A weak smile curved Cora’s lips, and her shoulders sagged. “It’s grueling. I’m worn out when they’re done with me.”

“I know. But think of the reward. You get to go to the wedding.”

Cora nodded. “That’s the only thing that keeps me going besides having Brady here. Thank you for your efforts to contact him. Just seeing him brightens my day.”

“I’m glad I could help.” Kirsten had to admit Brady’s presence had given Cora a lift. Kirsten hadn’t expected that.

“I don’t know what I’d do without this place. Y’all have given me a lot of hope.”

“That’s what we’re here for. After all, this is The Village of Hope. Hope is the most important thing we have around here.” Kirsten looked at Cora with sympathy.

Nodding, Cora sighed. “Hope in the Lord Jesus.”

“That’s who we depend on for sure.”

“I know. Say some prayers for my strength.”

“I will, and you can concentrate on your physical therapy so you can regain your strength and can get out of that wheelchair.”

“And return to my apartment.”

“Yes. The harder you work, the faster you get better.” Kirsten headed for the door but turned before she left the room. “Remember. You don’t get over a broken hip overnight.”

Cora wagged a gnarled finger at Kirsten. “Yes, but I’m not the most patient person. I like things to happen right now.”

“You don’t have many days left until the wedding.” Kirsten put a hand to her cart. “I think you’ll be ready.”

“I’d better be. Brady is so good to take me for walks.” Cora grinned. “We’re going to walk all the way to the cafeteria tonight for supper. I’m so excited to eat with Ruby and Liz.”

“That’s super news.” Kirsten couldn’t get over how attentive Brady was to his grandmother. The man appeared to be doing everything he could to help the woman who’d done her best to give him a good life. “Have fun with Ruby and Liz.”

“Well, if it isn’t my favorite grandmother and my favorite nurse.”

Kirsten turned to find Brady lounging in the doorway. Her heart did a little flip-flop. Why did this exasperating man make her react that way? It had to be his unexpected entrance. But she shouldn’t be surprised he was here. He’d shown up at this time every day for the past week, and she tried to convince herself that she didn’t look forward to his visit.

“Well, if it isn’t the favorite grandson.” Kirsten pressed her lips together in order not to smile.

“I’m glad you recognize that.” Brady walked across the room and gave Cora a kiss on her cheek. “Hey, Gram, how’s it going today?”

“Good. I’m looking forward to dinner with Ruby and Liz.”

“Have a good evening, you two. I have to deliver the rest of these meds.” Kirsten scurried out the door as the thought of Brady giving her a kiss the way he had Cora flitted through her mind. Why had that happened? Jen’s constant chatter about how Brady timed his visits so he’d see Kirsten made her think crazy things.

After Kirsten finished delivering medications to the patients on her wing of the nursing home, she returned to the nurses’ station. She plopped onto the nearby chair with a sigh and stared at the computer screen. The week-old vase of flowers, still surprisingly fresh, taunted her from the ledge above her. Another reminder of Brady. Thankfully, Jen was off helping a patient, so Kirsten didn’t have to listen to any more of the other nurse’s teasing.

Pushing thoughts of Brady from her mind, Kirsten concentrated on the patient records as she input the information into the computer. She missed the day-to-day hands-on work with patients in Brazil, especially the little children. She enjoyed helping the elderly patients here but didn’t relish the extensive amount of record keeping.

“Kirsten.”

The sound of a familiar male voice made Kirsten jump. She jerked her head upward to find Brady standing on the other side of the counter. She put a hand over her heart. “You scared me. You certainly are quiet when you walk.”

“All the better to surprise you. You were obviously lost in your work.” He gave her that lazy grin. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

“Sure.” Kirsten wondered what he wanted to talk about that he couldn’t have mentioned while she was in Cora’s room.

“Good.” He leaned on the counter next to the bouquet. He glanced at them. “Flowers still look good. Nice to know where to get good ones.”

“How’s my dad working out as a roommate?”

“Good.”

Staring at Brady, Kirsten wondered how she was going to get rid of him without being impolite. She didn’t want him hanging around here when Jen got back. That would mean listening to her supposition that Brady was out to impress Kirsten. “Was there something special you wanted to talk about?”

“Yeah, there is.” He rubbed the back of his neck and said nothing else.

Why was he hesitant? His uncertainty was completely out of character. She leaned forward. “And that would be?”

“I want to buy something for Cora, and I need your help.”

“Why my help?”

“Because you’re a woman.”

“And you need a woman’s advice?” Was he reluctant to ask a woman for help?

“Yeah.”

“Okay, I’m willing to assist you. What do I have to do?” Had she said that? No telling what he might ask.

“Go shopping with me tomorrow.”

Kirsten forced herself not to show she was the least bit put out by his ploy. He didn’t need acting lessons. He had the apprehension charade down. She had no one to blame but herself for walking right into his act. “And what will we be shopping for?”

“A dress for Cora to wear to the wedding.”

“And you can’t do that without my help?”

“No. Besides, your dad suggested I ask you when I mentioned buying the dress.”

“Okay.” Kirsten tried not to frown. What was her dad up to? Was he trying to push them together? “What time?”

“You name it.”

“Meet me at the reception desk at half past nine. That way we can be at the mall by the time the stores open.”

“Thanks. I look forward to it.” Brady turned and sauntered back down the hall.

Kirsten couldn’t help watching him walk away. Now there’s a fine-looking man. Jen’s words echoed through Kirsten’s mind. He was growing on her. Lately she hadn’t even noticed his tattoos. Was she inviting trouble by letting down her guard with regard to Brady and his considerable charm? She didn’t dare mention it to Jen, or she would never give Kirsten a minute of peace about it. She could purge these thoughts from her mind on her own. She knew from experience that charming men only brought heartache.