The Prospect: The Malloy Family, Book 10 Read Free Page A

Edith down when I spotted Jose—er, Miss Chastain walking. She was half a mile away and didn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon. When I got to her, I found her like this. Feverish and babbling.” He had never spoken so much to these folks in the time he’d been with them. They stared at him, making Declan want to scratch an itch he couldn’t find.
    “She is running a high fever.” Mrs. Chastain turned her attention back to her daughter. “We need to bring it down quickly.”
    “I’m back!” The younger sister appeared toting a bucket, water sloshing every which way as she struggled with it. “I got the water.”
    “Charlotte, you are to be commended. We need to cool her down.” Mrs. Chastain took the bucket from her youngest daughter and set it on the ground.
    “But Mr. Calla—”
    Declan cut her off with a shake of head. Charlotte frowned at him but said nothing further. He didn’t want to call any more attention to himself.
    “Mr. Avery, is there a physician at the fort?” Mrs. Chastain took a rag and started bathing Jo’s face.
    “I don’t rightly know. Memory tells me there isn’t one, just a former Army medic.” Buck looked at Declan. “Go find out while Mrs. Chastain takes care of her kin.”
    Although he wanted to stay and watch over Josephine, he heeded his boss. With a nod, he left the small worried group and walked toward the fort. Declan passed the bustling crowd as the people from the wagon train vied for the wares and supplies sold by the vendors in the fort. Many would probably pay too much, but it wasn’t Declan’s concern, although he could spot a shyster at a hundred paces.
    He wasn’t surprised to see Army personnel in residence, but it made him nervous. Not because of the tales he’d heard of Indians attacking whites, but because his former boss, the one he’d shot and buried on the prairie, had a long reach. His size and his appearance were noticeable. He pulled his hat down lower on his forehead and hurried past the soldiers.
    Although he had no idea where to go, he headed toward the mercantile, the largest building within the walls of the fort. He stepped in and muscled his way through the people who were buzzing all over the merchandise like a hive of bees. When he reached the counter, there were two blond men tallying up sales and taking money.
    “Excuse me.”
    They ignored him, and that got Declan’s back up like nothing else had. Josephine was out there, burning up from fever, and these two fools had no idea what kind of shit he was about to rain down on them.
    He reached across the counter and grabbed the shirtfront the larger of the men, then yanked him off his feet. Declan shoved his face into the surprised man’s face.
    “I need a doctor. Now.” A hush fell over the previously loud store.
    “I, uh, what?” The man dropped his pencil and it rolled across the counter.
    “There’s a woman on the wagon train burning up with fever and pain in her belly. She needs a doctor.” Declan shook him slightly and the man’s face blanched. “Are ye understanding me, ye great fool?” His Irish accent deepened and he cursed himself for letting it sneak out.
    “Yessir, I do. We don’t got a doc, but there’s a medic.” The man shook harder than Declan’s fist. He never thought to use his bulk to intimidate anyone again but this was for Jo. He’d have to deal with the repercussions later.
    “And where is the medic?” Declan growled through his teeth.
    “Corner building with the fresh whitewash. He takes care of teeth too, and the horses.” The man looked down at Declan’s hand. “Can you let me go, mister?”
    Declan forced his hand to open and released the man’s shirt. “If I don’t find the medic, I’m going to find you .”
    The man’s head bobbed in assent and Declan turned to leave the store. Dozens of people watched as he walked out. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, whispers and accusing stares. He told himself not to react, to continue moving.