Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening (Summerset Abbey Trilogy) by T. J. Brown Page B

soldiers.
    She went into the study, which had been transformed into a makeshift office for the doctors and nurses. Nurse Baxter sat atone of the desks writing in her log and took several minutes to acknowledge Victoria’s presence, even though she had to know Victoria was there.
    “Good morning, Miss Buxton. I hope you are feeling better this morning.”
    Victoria kept her nebulizer in the nurses’ office and had needed to use it before heading home the previous night. Apparently, word had gotten to the head day-shift nurse. “Good morning, Nurse Baxter. I’m perfectly well physically, though my spirit is a bit disheveled.”
    The older woman looked up sharply. “And why would that be, Miss Buxton?”
    “I have several days off and shall miss the boys when I am gone.”
    Nurse Baxter’s features were angular and pointed, but not unkind. Eleanor had taken classes from her when studying nursing and adored her, though Victoria couldn’t figure out why.
    “You must occasionally take time off to avoid becoming overtired, Miss Buxton. While I have no doubt the army appreciates your dedication, it will do no one any good for you to become ill.”
    The older woman’s firm rebuke stung, and Victoria lowered her eyes. “Yes, Nurse Baxter. I understand.”
    “Excellent.” She handed Victoria an assignment sheet and a list of names. “These men will be under your care today.”
    Victoria scanned the sheet for the name of the nurse in charge. Like the soldiers, she had nurses she liked better than others. “Who am I to be working under?” she asked, not seeing anyone.
    “You will be in charge of the library yourself, though Nurse Farner will be checking in on you frequently.” Nurse Baxter benther head to her work again as if she hadn’t uttered anything out of the ordinary.
    “By myself?” Victoria squeaked out. Volunteer aides were never left in charge of wards by themselves. Granted, the library only held twenty men who were in good health compared to many others, but still, she’d never been in charge on her own before.
    “Yes, of course. We’re shorthanded and Dr. Blake and I decided you were fully capable of caring for them on your own. Most of the men there are close to being discharged. Unless, of course, you don’t think you can handle it?” Nurse Baxter looked over her wire-rimmed glasses at Victoria.
    “No, I am sure I can do it.”
    “Good. Don’t disappoint us, Miss Buxton.”
    “No, ma’am.”
    Victoria forced herself to walk sedately out of the room and down the hall, though she couldn’t help but bound up the stairs two at a time, which turned out to be a mistake as she had to cling to the banister at the top to catch her breath.
    Her hard work and dedication hadn’t gone unnoticed; they trusted her enough to leave her on her own. Victoria could hardly believe it. She waited until her breathing stabilized, then went to the cupboard where the clean towels and linens were kept. Four men were bathed a day, allowing for everyone to have a bath once a week, except for those who had sponge baths. While the nurses gave sponge baths and had seen all sorts of “immodest things,” hospital policy was for men who were able to help those who needed more assistance. Victoria found the policy not only ridiculous, but dangerous. When she’d expressed her opinion during a meeting, the shocked hospital staff had struck down her idea that a nurse or VAD be present at alltimes. Slipping while getting in and out of the tub was common, but Victoria figured they would wait until someone was seriously injured before changing the rule, as seemed to be the way things worked here.
    “Good morning!” She kept her voice soft as many of the men were still sleeping. She didn’t subscribe to the military method of waking the men to the piercing sound of a bell, as many of these men would not be returning to active duty. Those who were, she reasoned, would do well with a break in structure and would far rather