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

Jo needed him. The thought of her suffering drove him forward.
    When he made it outside, he broke into a run and headed for the bright white building in the corner of the fort. There was no sign or indication this was the medic’s house and he sure as hell hoped the fool at the mercantile was telling the truth.
    He burst through the door and found a balding man with a paunch leaning over another man, a pair of pliers in his chunky hand. A pair of spectacles perched on the bald man’s nose. To his credit, he didn’t react to Declan’s entrance. He pushed the pliers further into the other man’s mouth.
    “This is gonna hurt, Wendell. You ready?”
    “Hurrr.” The man spoke around the bald man’s hand and pliers.
    With a quick pull and a gush of blood, the bald man pulled a tooth. The patient clutched his mouth and squealed like a little girl.
    “Got it. Aw, don’t be a fool. This thing was rotten as flies on horse shit.” The bald man held up the bloody pliers with a rather gray-looking tooth clutched in its jaws. He gave the other man a rag. “Now pack that for a bit to stop the bleeding. Leave two bits at the door, Wendell.”
    The shorter man shoved the rag in his mouth and scurried to the door, scowling at Declan as he passed. The clink of coins in a brass bowl by the door marked the man’s departure, leaving Declan alone with the bald dentist who also served as horse doctor and medic.
    “You the medic?”
    The man went to a basin on the table and washed off the pliers and his hands. “I am. Name’s Frank Drummond.”
    “I’ve got a woman who needs help. She’s running a fever and has belly pain.” Declan didn’t want to reveal what she’d been babbling. It would make him blush to remember it, foolish as that was.
    “Where is this woman?” Drummond dried his hands on a clean towel.
    “She’s with the wagon train, outside the fort.”
    “Hm, is her belly pain sharp or dull?” He put his hands on his hips and scowled.
    “I don’t know.” Declan gestured to the door. “I need you to come. Now.”
    Drummond stood there and raised one brow, his spectacles glinting in the sunlight coming through the open door. “I used to teach school back in Philadelphia. I know your type, young man. I won’t walk into a trap no matter what story you’ve concocted.”
    Declan didn’t want to react, but he flinched. “I’m trying to help a friend, Mr. Drummond. Nothing more.”
    The other man studied him for a beat before he nodded. “All right then, that’s a worthy cause. I would have your name, though, and your promise this is not a sham.”
    Surprised, Declan blew out a breath. “My name is Declan Callahan and my friend is Josephine Chastain. She’s a special lass and right now she’s powerful sick.”
    Drummond fussed around gathering a few things, and then he turned to Declan. “Lead the way, Mr. Callahan.”
    Pleased he’d convinced the man to help Jo, Declan followed. His gut twisted into knots thinking about what was wrong with her and hoping like hell this strange bald man could help her.

Chapter Two
    Jo was itchy all over, but her arms refused to move so she could scratch. She was hot too. Hot enough to make her sweat profusely. If she was lucky, there was no one close by enough to smell her. Nothing worse than a lady who smelled badly.
    “Come back to me, cherie .” Her mother’s voice sounded in her ear, full of worry and fear. If Maman was worried, something was very wrong.
    Jo forced her eyes open, squinting and tearing at the bright light. She was surprised to see Mr. Avery, her father, Isabelle and Charlotte hovering over her. More shocking was to find she lay prone on the wagon and her face and neck were wet.
    “What has happened?” Her voice was rusty as an old door.
    Maman smiled shakily. “You are sick, cherie.” Her gloved hand cupped Jo’s face. “We are waiting on a physician.”
    Sick? She never got sick. Her constitution was hearty, more so than any of her sisters.