Healing Montana Sky by Debra Holland Read Free Book Online Page A

woman, and I trust her not to act out of hand.”
    She? Antonia wasn’t sure she’d heard right.
    Reverend Norton must have seen her puzzlement, for he smiled and nodded. “Yes, our sheriff is, indeed, a woman. Quite competent.” He glanced around the table. “We may have no problem and these incidents all have natural explanations. Or they may be thefts and thus connected, in which case they may or may not be caused by the Indians.”
    Doctor Cameron glanced at the minister. “Between the two of us, we probably cover more ground around here and talk to more people than anyone else. We’ll have to start asking questions. . .in an indirect way, of course. No sense putting any ideas in people’s heads.”
    Reverend Norton rubbed his chin. “I’ll talk to John Carter about the Blackfoot. Perhaps if we both write the Office of Indian Affairs, asking for more supplies to be distributed, that action could solve one or both problems.”
    “Be a start.” Feeling somewhat heartened that, by coming to Sweetwater Springs, she might be helping the Blackfoot, Antonia took another bite of her eggs.
    As everyone else returned to eating, silence fell.
    After they’d tucked in a goodly amount, Reverend Norton cleared his throat. “What have you two decided to do?” He glanced from Antonia to Mr. Muth.
    Mr. Muth flicked a look at her before turning to the minister. “Mrs. Valleau has agreed to come live at the farm with her boys and take care of the baby.”
    “Good. Of course, before you leave today, I’d like to baptize Camilla.”
    Mr. Muth set down his fork, an expression of concern on his face.
    Reverend Norton held up a hand. “Not because I think she won’t make it. I’m sure with Mrs. Valleau’s tender care, Camilla will be in good hands. But I would suggest baptism for any infant who’s in my vicinity when I know her folks live too far to attend church regularly.”
    “Of course.” Mr. Muth’s expression relaxed.
    The minister indicated his approval with a stately nod. He looked at Antonia’s boys, then at her. “I assume you’re Catholic.”
    She nodded.
    “I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to avail yourself of a priest to baptize the boys. If not, I’ll be glad to do it. Or, you can wait. A traveling priest visits Sweetwater Springs about once a month. Father Fredrick was just here, though. So it will be several weeks before the ceremony can take place.”
    Antonia had a panicked moment of wishing Jean-Claude was here to help her make the decision. They’d been married by a priest but had never lived near a church. And, if they had, she doubted they would have gone. Neither of them had been religious, although Jean-Claude had said a few times that he was more partial to the Indian beliefs than the Catholic ones.
    Be it matterin’? She bit her lip, thinking rapidly. Reverend Norton had been kind. He’d counseled her, which had brought her some comfort. She could tell he was a good man and thought she’d like going to his church and hearing what he had to say. Furthermore, she doubted Jean-Claude would have cared, so she didn’t have to worry about going against his wishes.
    Antonia nodded. “I be likin’ that plenty, Reverend Norton. Thank you.”
    His smile was warm, although his eyes still held concern. “No need to thank me, my dear Mrs. Valleau. I’m just doing my job. Now, the next question. . .a delicate, but necessary, question, I’m afraid. Do I perform a marriage ceremony for the two of you at the same time as the baptisms?”

CHAPTER FIVE
    A t the minister’s words, Erik jerked up in his chair, anger flaring through him. He choked on the food in his mouth and had to cough, chew, and swallow before he could talk. Which was probably a good thing because the struggle kept him from cursing at the minister.
    Mrs. Valleau came to his rescue. “I done buried my husband not five days past,” she said, her voice thick with pain. “Mr. Muth, his wife, she be dyin’ this day. We