Amethyst by Lauraine Snelling Read Free Book Online Page A

again.
    “We’ll be getting off in Fargo, Amethyst dear, so that we can find medical attention for you.”
    Amethyst blinked and shook her head the slightest. “N-no.” Her throat burned as though she’d swallowed a live coal. Her head throbbed, keeping time with the clacking wheels.
    “Do not fear. I’m not going to leave you.”
    “W-wa-ter.”
    “Of course, but just a sip.” Mrs. Grant held a cup to her charge’s lips, but when the liquid dribbled down the side of her face, she slid an arm behind Amethyst’s neck and propped her with one arm, tipping the cup with her other hand. The train lurched and liquid spilled again, but Amethyst got enough in her mouth to swallow.
    “M-more?”
    They repeated the routine again and were a bit more successful. The cool liquid eased the fire in her throat, and Amethyst managed the barest hint of a smile.
    The conductor stopped at Mrs. Grant’s seat. “Fargo is just ahead. I’ll get the others off and then find someone and come back for you.”
    “Thank you so much.”
    He walked on through the car and headed out the door at the end.
    Amethyst tried to rouse when she felt strong arms lift her from the train seat. What was going on? Where were they taking her? She ordered her mouth to ask questions, but her tongue failed, and only guttural sounds came out.
    “You’ll be fine, miss.” The male voice echoed as much in the rumble of his chest as in her hearing.
    She’d be fine. What is wrong with me? I’m going to…to… She couldn’t even remember the place she was bound for. Why not take her home? Where was she?
    Cold bit her nose and cheeks. Bright sunlight closed her eyes. Strong arms, like bands, held her tight, and then her benefactor set her on the seat of a buggy. In spite of her desire to stay upright, she slipped sideways until she fell against a soft cushion. Mrs. Grant wrapped her arms around her.
    “Thank you, sir. You have been most kind.”
    The buggy swayed as the driver mounted the front seat and clucked his team forward. “I’ll take you to the doctor’s, unless there is somewhere else you’d like to go.”
    “No, that is all I can think to do.”
    Some time later Amethyst swallowed warm broth that was spooned to her mouth. The bed was warm and not rocking, with space for her to stretch out and turn her face into a pillow beneath her head. She continued swallowing until the broth was taken away, and she heard a strange woman murmuring to her that they’d get her into something more comfortable and she could rest easy now.
    When she woke again, a lamp beside the bed shone on a woman sound asleep in the chair. A white apron covered her dress, and she wore a shawl around her shoulders. Amethyst tried to be quiet, but her slightest move roused the woman caring for her.
    “Ah, there you are.” The woman laid a hand against Amethyst’s cheek. “I think you’re on the mend. Let me fetch some more broth, since you’ve kept down what I’ve given you. Doctor says to give you as much as you can tolerate.”
    “Where am I?” Finally, words made it from her mind to her mouth and were spoken aloud. She could even hear them.
    “Why, you’re in Fargo at Doctor Sampson’s. I’m Alvia, the doctor’s missus and the main nurse. He’s out on a call and won’t be back until that baby is born. So I’ll leave you for a minute and fetch the broth.”
    Amethyst forced her mind to remember. Who was it who had taken care of her on the train? Ah, Mrs. Grant . “Mrs. Grant?”
    “She’s gone to the hotel. She said to let her know as soon as you woke up, but I think we’ll wait until morning. You’ve been here two days.”
    “Thank you.” Two days? What all had she missed? Amethyst tried to remember something that might have happened, but she wasn’t sure.
    The nurse had to waken her again when she returned with the broth. “Here we go, dearie. You just swallow now, and this will be gone in no time. Perhaps you’d like an egg for breakfast in a few