Free Glorious Montana Sky (The Montana Sky Series) by Debra Holland

opened the door of the carriage so the men could maneuver her father inside. Andre’s normally healthy complexion still looked ashen. His eyelids drooped. But at least, he seemed to be breathing better.
    Delia released Mr. Livingston’s arm to hover anxiously nearby, feeling helpless to do anything to aid her father.
    The doctor motioned her to climb inside.
    She looked up at Mr. Livingston. “But what will you all do?”
    He gave her a rea ssuring smile. “My house is not far. We’ll walk and meet you there. In fact—” he glanced at the boy with him “—Ben, run ahead and tell Mrs. Graves that we’ll be having company and to turn down the bed in the blue guest room.” He reached for the valises. “Give those to me.”
    Ben wrinkled his nose, but he nodded affirmative. “Yes, Uncle Caleb.” The boy handed over the valises and took off running down the street.
    Delia climbed inside the carriage. The interior smelled of leather.
    Her father was propped across from her, his head back and legs stretched out.
    She placed a trembling hand on his knee. “You’ll be all right, Papa.” Please dear Lord, make him well. I couldn’t bear to lose him. I’ve only just found him!
    Andre managed a faint turn of his lips before closing his eyes.
    The movement reassured her, and, still touching him, she settled back against the cushions.
    The redheaded doctor climbed in through the opposite side. As soon as he was seated and the door closed, the carriage began to move.
    Dr. Cameron picked up her father’s wrist and placed his fingers on his pulse. After a minute, the doctor released the hand and looked at her. “Tell me about your father’s health, Miss. . . ?” he asked.
    There was an accent behind the doctor’s words. Scottish? “Bellaire. My father is Andre Bellaire, and I am Delia.”
    “Miss Bellaire, has your father suffered one of these attacks before?”
    “I’m afraid I don’t know, Dr. Cameron. Most of my life, my father has lived in New York for business purposes.” The two of them had decided to stick to the truth as much as possible when explaining about themselves. Delia thought of her father’s mention of his will. “I suspect he may have hidden any health concerns from me.”
    “That wouldn’t be uncommon.” The doctor pressed his lips together. “He’s survived the attack and that’s important, lass. But I’ll want your father to have complete bed rest until I say otherwise, and he’s not to fret about anything , d’ye hear? The Livingston house is very comfortable. Mrs. Graves is an excellent cook. You both will be well taken care of there.”
    “Thank you, doctor,” she murmured. “Yet to throw ourselves on the mercy of strangers. . . .”
    “They won’t be strangers for long. Indeed, most of the town won’t be strangers for long. It’s not often we have visitors from the South, so you’ll be of interest to everyone.”
    The idea dismayed her. She and her father had planned to move to a city where they could blend in, avoiding the curiosity of small town inhabitants.
    Her expression must have shown her concern, for the doctor smiled, showing crooked teeth. “You’re in luck, lass. With Joshua Norton and his son returning home from missionary work in Africa, much of the townsfolk’s attention will be on him.”
    Africa! Under other circumstances, she would have been interested in hearing more about the man. She noted that Dr. Cameron hadn’t mentioned a wife.
    “In fact, there’s a welcome home party in two days. Although, Reverend Enoch Norton and his wife Mary, who are Reverend Joshua Norton’s parents, insisted their son wouldn’t be comfortable with an event in their honor, so we’re calling it an ice cream social. I think you should attend.”
    “I couldn’t possibly leave my father,” she demurred, not wanting to go among strangers, especially with her secret.
    “Well, we shall see how he does tomorrow, shan’t we now? And not just his body, but also