Gloriana adjusted his pillows, then helped him lie back. “Scott still loved you. He told me once that when you had time to sort through everything, he knew you would take him back. He never cared about the money—just about you.”

Tears came again to his eyes. “My son. My dear son.”

Gloriana squeezed his shoulder. “He always loved you, and he always knew that in your own way, you loved him. The loss is tremendous, but Scott loved Jesus, and Sally did too. You will see them in heaven one day if you love Him as well.”

The routes were off by as much as twenty to thirty yards in places. Luke had finally managed to locate an original map and could now see exactly where the route should have been laid. He wasn’t sure what could be done now except for tearing up the track and rerouting it to the tune of millions of dollars.

Worse still, the evidence kept pointing back to one person. Theodore Sedgwick—his secretary. Luke was sick at heart. How could this be? Why would Sedgwick do such a thing? He was even now returning from St. Paul. He always seemed so helpful—so willing to go the extra mile. Why would he seek to destroy the much-needed and anticipated railroad?

Luke glanced at the clock. Sedgwick should be back by six. He was taking the boat from Fond du Lac, and they were generally on time. Luke wondered if he should be at the dock to meet him or just wait until morning to confront him. A night’s sleep might do them both a lot of good.

He heard the front door open and went to see who had come. The doctor stood just inside, rain dripping from his hat and coat. Luke extended his hand. “I didn’t expect to see you today. Is everything all right?”

The doctor was rather grim-faced. “I’m afraid not. Your fiancée sent for me. Your father is blind.”

“Blind?” Luke was sure he’d heard wrong. “Did you say he’s blind?”

“Yes. Measles often causes blindness. Sometimes it’s permanent, and sometimes it’s temporary.”

“Which is it this time?”

“I don’t know. That’s the trouble. It might last a few days or even weeks, and then the vision returns, or it could be permanent. I’m sorry. I told Miss Womack that I would instruct you to bring home boric acid powder. You can get it at the apothecary. She knows how to mix it and use it.”

“Of course. I’ll go right now.” It definitely answered the question of confronting Theodore tonight. “Is there anything else I should know?”

The doctor nodded. “His lungs are clearer and his temperature is lower. I believe he’s come through the worst of it.”

“I would say being blind is the worst of it.” Luke couldn’t imagine his father bearing blindness with any good grace.