Daniel McClintock Read online

  Kathryn introduced them to one another.

  “You’re not serious!” Daniel’s glare chilled Clara as he assessed her head to toe and back up. “You said a man was arriving. You think I’m going to work with this… woman?”

  He looked away and made a dismissive wave with his hand. “Forget it and get her out of here.”

  Kathryn offered Clara a helpless expression then left the room.

  Clara stepped forward, forcing herself to assume her professional demeanor. She had faced this reaction before, but this was so much more important. As much as she longed to help anyone in his position, this man also represented her chance to establish herself in America.

  “Daniel, I am here to help you learn to walk again. I have a contract and have moved into the room next door, so you might as well get used to having me here.”

  His blue eyes were glacial. “I. Said. Get. Out.”

  As if he hadn’t spoken, she continued, “I have completed courses in nursing, and mechanotherapy and have helped dozens of people like you recover the use of their limbs. One of your workers has gone to the rail depot to claim my trunks. Inside two of them I have equipment which I will assemble here in your room.”

  He threw a book at her but it landed at her feet. “I am not letting you near me.”

  She picked up the book, glanced at the title. “Hmm, Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. I have wanted to read this. Thank you.” She laid it on the washstand.

  “Give me my damned book.”

  She smiled but didn’t return the tome. “But, you gave it to me.”

  “You know very well I didn’t.” Using his arms and hands, he pushed up higher on his pillows. “You deliberately misled us by using your initials instead of your first name.”

  She widened her eyes and blinked at him. “Oh? I believe it is customary to use initials in business correspondence.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “Don’t give me that innocent expression. You knew we thought you were a man—which is what you intended. I’m not having a woman working on me.”

  Clara tapped a finger against her cheek. “I was under the impression your mother has been working with you to insure your leg muscles do not deteriorate. You were not averse to her and she is a woman.”

  “That’s different.”

  “She faces prejudice because she is a woman healer. I would think you, as her son who is aware of this, would be more tolerant of other women healers.”

  “What she does is entirely different than what you supposedly do.”

  “Not so. Each of us does our best to help people. In spite of your low opinion of me, I am going to be helping you for some time. I will be in early tomorrow to help you get ready for the day. After breakfast, I will begin assembling my equipment. You will find it fascinating. For now, good evening.” She reclaimed the book and carried it with her.

  He yelled after her, “Bring me back my damned book!”

  She smiled to herself as she walked to her room. She thought she had come out best in that round. Tomorrow would begin round two.

  ***

  Daniel beat his fists against the bed. Bad enough to have his body hold him captive but he was not going to have that woman work on him. He shuddered when he imagined the humiliation of her changing his diaper. As if having to wear one wasn’t bad enough.

  No way in hell was he submitting to such degradation!

  She’d have to leave and that was that. Served her right for deceiving them. That story that using her initials was “customary in business correspondence” was nonsense. She’d misrepresented herself intentionally because she knew a woman would never be hired for her position, especially a woman so young. He’d bet she was younger than him.

  If she was so good at her job, why leave Amsterdam? Yeah, why did she want to come all this way across the world when she was supposedly successful there? He’d ask her if she dared come back into this room.

  And she had better return his damned book.

  ***

  In the master bedroom that night, Austin took off his boots. “What do you think of Clara? I admit I have reservations.”

  His wife pulled her nightgown over her head. He watched as the fabric fell around her, covering her nakedness. Never would he forget how lucky he was to have his wonderful Kathryn return his love and marry him.

  She adjusted the garment’s ribbons at her neck. “She comes with excellent references and talks as if she knows what she’s doing. Dr. Von Breda wrote John that he was sending his best student. We should accept her and see how Daniel improves.”

  “You mean if he improves.” He fisted his hands. “I wish I could wring Bob Tyson’s neck.”

  Kathryn hugged him. “Don’t say that. Tyson’s gone and we have to be here for our boy.”

  She leaned her head against his chest. “I’ve done everything I know and it’s not enough. I get so frustrated and despondent that I can’t help crying sometimes.”

  Austin held her against him but didn’t admit he was often so discouraged that he had cried over the past two years. “He’s only twenty-two. What if he never improves? What kind of life will he have?”

  His wife kissed his cheek. “I can’t say why, but I feel Clara will help him. At least, let’s give her a chance. What else can we do?”

  “You’re right, Love. But, if Clara fails, we’ve run out of ideas. John stressed that this method she uses is gaining world-wide recognition.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “I worry about Daniel’s mind. He’s grown so despondent and out of sorts. Not that I blame him, but how can we help him get rid of that attitude?”

  “If he relearns to walk—or even improves a little, his outlook will change. I’m sure he will. Oh, Austin, I’m counting so much on this young woman’s ability.”

  “I know, Love, I know. As you said, what else can we do?” He caressed her back in small circles then steered her toward their bed. “Now, let me show you what a waste of time it was for you to pull on that nightgown.”

  ***

  The next morning, Clara dressed carefully. For therapy work, she wore a white muslin split skirt and shirtwaist without a corset. The ensemble allowed her the flexibility needed to work with a patient.

  She hurried to check on Daniel. He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. Glancing around the room, she saw numerous paintings. She recognized the ranch’s landscape in three. Others showed horses, two alone and two in groups.

  “Good morning, Daniel. Dr. Sullivan mentioned you paint well and I see he was correct.” She walked the length of the room and back, admiring the lovely paintings. “These are beautiful.”

  “They’re for Roan’s store to sell and donate the money to the church.”

  “Shall I help you get ready for the day?” She reached for his sheet.

  He batted away her hand. “Don’t think you’re going to be helping me. You run along and do whatever it is women do each morning.”

  “This woman helps you. I hoped you would reconsider after thinking overnight. We can do this peacefully or in an all-out war, but I will help you.”

  He screwed up his face and mocked, “‘I vill helf you’. You can’t even speak proper English.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “I am sure my English is far better than your Dutch.”

  “Are you so eager to see a man’s privates that you’re willing to help me? Does ogling a man intimately get you all hot and bothered?”

  She fanned her throat and pretended to pant. “Oh, yes, I just adore looking at piss and feces.” With one yank, she snapped the sheet from atop him.

  “Hey, you… you can’t do that.”

  “I already have.” After pouring water into the pitcher, she wrung out a clean wash cloth and carried it and the towel to his bed. She grabbed one of the clean cloths used as his diapers.

  He scooted up on his pillows and put out a hand. “Get away, do you hear?”

  “How could I not? I am sure men working in the barn heard you. You
may as well save your breath. We will start your bath with your face.”

  He grabbed the wash cloth from her. “I can wash myself.”

  “If you wish.” When he’d cleaned his face and torso, she rolled him to lie on his chest and washed his back and pulled the covering from his posterior.

  “Hey, what are you doing?”

  “Checking your skin. Your mother has done a wonderful job of preventing bedsores. There is one tiny area on each of your hips where tissue has changed.”

  “You said there weren’t any bedsores.”

  “That is right, but these places must be watched carefully or there will be. Now that you will be moving more, that should help.”

  She touched a scar low on his spine. “You are fortunate the rock damaged your spine so low. Otherwise I would not anticipate you regaining use of your legs but I do.”

  He craned his neck so he could look up at her. “Lady, if I were fortunate, I wouldn’t be paralyzed in the first place.”

  “That is true and I am sorry you were injured. However, we must deal with your reality and not with wishes. In that way, you are fortunate.”

  Clara helped him turn to his back. She fought to be as impersonal as possible with the mantra taught her by her nursing supervisor. Pretend he’s a dish and you’re cleaning the kitchen.

  She had never seen a dish this handsome, that was certain. She removed his pelvic covering. “I know you can do the front, but I need to check your skin this one time.”

  He turned his face to the wall but she could not help seeing his face’s scarlet skin. She sympathized but could not let his embarrassment or hers prevent her from doing her job.

  When he was once again covered and wearing a nightshirt, she washed his legs and feet. She scooted the wheeled Bath chair near his bed. “Are you ready to go into breakfast?”

  Surprise registered on his face. “What? No, I eat in my room.”

  “Nonsense. You are part of your family and should eat with them. Besides, consider that you only make extra work for Emma when you eat in here.” She lifted his arm and put her shoulder underneath then stood, easing him to the chair. He was heavy but she had been trained in lifting people.

  “You are the most stubborn woman on earth. What don’t you understand about me wanting to stay in here?”

  “Not a thing.” She covered his legs with a small knitted blanket then pushed the chair toward the kitchen.

  When they reached the breakfast room, Emma almost dropped the platter she was carrying. Kathryn broke into a wide smile. Rebecca’s eyes widened and she quickly added another place setting.

  Austin clapped Daniel on the back. “Glad to see you joining us, Son.”

  “Didn’t have much choice with this Viking maneuvering me.”

  Kathryn glared at him. “Son, you’ll address Clara respectfully at our table or I’ll pour your share of gravy on your head.”

  He looked down and muttered, “Yes, Mama.”

  Ignoring him, Clara took a seat. “Is not this a lovely morning? Thank you for the wonderful mattress and pleasant room. When I looked out the window of the room you assigned me, cheerful birds were eating breakfast in front of your house.”

  Kathryn passed her the bacon and ham. “I’m happy you slept well. A ranch is a bit noisy in the morning. Austin’s already been working in the barn.”

  “I heard commotion, but it was a comfortable, reassuring sound.”

  Kathryn and Rebecca were dressed in colorful cotton dresses that flattered their coloring. They must think her cream muslin dress very plain and odd.

  “I must explain my choice of clothing.” She gestured at herself. “This is my work uniform. As you can see, this split skirt is more serviceable than attractive. Truthfully, it is a gym costume designed for women who ride bicycles but this is how the other women mechanotherapists dress.”

  Kathryn’s smile appeared genuine. “You are dressed in a practical way. Too bad you don’t have man-style pants to wear. That would be more appropriate for what you do.”

  “Yes, but I would create a scandal if I wore them. Perhaps someday in the future I will gather the courage to do so.”

  Rebecca set down her milk. “Tell us about your trip. Were you traveling on your own?”

  She spread her hands on the table. “Oh, my travels were a grand adventure. From home I accompanied family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Eerken, to Chicago. My aunt intended me to find someone else to act as chaperone from there but I did not try. I enjoyed being on my own after being saddled with the Eerkens for that long.”

  She widened her eyes. “Um… not that they are… um, unpleasant people, but, frankly, they are boring unless you want to hear endlessly about the accomplishments of their children and grandchildren. I was tired of that subject long before we reached England.”

  “Weren’t you afraid by yourself? I’ve heard a lot of criminals ride the train to rob people.” Rebecca asked.

  “If I were tiny and frail, I probably would have been scared. As noted, a woman who is built like a Viking is less tempting to con men and thieves.”

  Daniel coughed, and she guessed it was to cover a laugh.

  “Looking through the rail car window was interesting. I had no idea there were so many kinds of terrain in America.”

  Austin set down his fork and leaned back. “What was the most unusual part of the journey?”

  “Hmm, I suppose that would be crossing the Mississippi River. It’s so wide and I was afraid the train would fall off the track or the bridge would crumble. When we reached land on the other side, you may believe I was relieved. Of course, I was asleep each night on the trip and may have missed something else spectacular.”

  Conversation changed to ranch matters and soon the meal had ended and people dispersed.

  Clara wheeled Daniel toward his room. “Would you like to sit on the porch for a little while and enjoy the morning?”

  “No, I want to go back to my room.”

  ***

  Daniel wondered how he could make this woman understand he preferred hiding away in his room. He certainly didn’t want the men he’d worked with to see him this helpless. Better to let them forget he even existed.

  Two large trunks waited in his room. So much for the men forgetting him. Two of the ranch hands must have had to deliver these.

  Remorse weighed heavy on him. He longed to explode out of this wasted shell he’d become. A split second and his life had changed him from being happy to being useless.

  Clara’s cheerfully annoying voice pulled him from his reverie, “Are you going to sit in the chair and glower or would you prefer to scowl from your bed?”

  He took over and used his hands to turn the wheels. She must think she was funny. “I’m tired so I’ll return to bed.”

  “I will help, shall I?”

  “Someone will have to and you’re the only one paid to do so.”

  “I see the bed is pushed against the wall. I will be sure to move it so tomorrow you can get up on the right side for a change.”

  “Ha ha. You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

  She plumped up his pillows and stacked them so he would be almost sitting up. “Even though you are not an admirer, some say I have a clever wit.” She locked the chair’s wheels and helped him to bed.

  He sank onto the pillows. In truth he was exhausted simply from being up for half an hour.

  “You had better rest while you can, Daniel. I am going to assemble the mechanical therapy system now.”

  She opened the largest trunk and lifted out a series of wooden and steel bars, chains, and pulleys as well as a small tool box. As though she’d done so a hundred times, she set about fitting together her equipment.

  He watched her project grow. “Do you plan to use my entire room?”

  “Yes, I will use the length. Do not worry because I will not touch that corner where you have your easel and paints. I know your brother and cousin have been visiting to work with you in here, but they can use my room.
”

  “Has anyone told you you’re a martinet?” She was also educated and intelligent. He couldn’t prevent that from intimidating him.

  Instead of getting mad enough to leave, she chuckled. “Only at first. Later, patients come to admire me.”

  “Believe me, that day will never come here.”

  She wagged her finger at him. “Never say never. You may have to eat those words.”

  His younger sister Rebecca came in and plopped on the foot of his bed. “What are all those?”

  He answered before Clara could, “My torture devices.”

  Rebecca, the little traitor, giggled. “Funny, Daniel, but I suspect they’re going to help you walk again. I meant what kind of devices.”

  Clara smiled at his friendly sister. “Rebecca, they are to help Daniel but it’s going to be a hard-won battle. When I finish connecting all these properly, I’ll give you a tour.”

  His sister tilted her head and studied Clara’s work. “Looks hard to assemble.”

  Clara reached for a wrench then glanced quickly at him. He sensed she would like to hit his head with the tool.

  “The hardest part is obtaining your brother’s cooperation.”

  Rebecca punched his shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll cooperate. Everyone in the family will yell at him otherwise.”

  Clara didn’t look up from her work. “No need, I can yell loud enough for everyone.”

  He scowled at her. “Humph, I believe that.” She was certainly stubborn and he’d bet she could shriek like a banshee when riled.

  His sister giggled and stood. “This is entertaining but I don’t see that me being here helps anyone. I’ll go help Mama prepare her herbs and tinctures.”

  He watched Clara bending to set a screw in her nutty apparatus. He had to admit she had a fine figure. Not that it changed his objections to her being here.

  “You put that together as if you’ve done so before.”

  She glanced up then went back to work. “Ja, I have. Uncle Hans insisted I practice in the gymnasium before I packed the pieces. Each one is numbered.”

  That caught his attention. “Gymnasium? I thought you worked in a clinic.”