Anyplace But Here (Oklahoma Lovers Series Book 5) Read Online Free PDF

about to feed him a pack of lies.
    She had no choice. It would be downright stupid to trust anyone at this point. “I’m from Louisiana. Shreveport.”
    He tilted his head and frowned. “Strange. I would have pegged your accent for Texas.”
    Oh God.
    “Actually, I lived in Texas for a while when I was younger, so I guess I never picked up the Louisiana accent.”
    “What made your family move to Louisiana?”
    How she hated lying, in general, and most of all to this man who seemed so nice. But she had to preserve her safety. Emily was the only one who could take care of Emily. No more relying on other people. Then if she had to lie, so be it.
    “Um, my father. He had family in Louisiana and decided he’d rather live there.”
    “Are they upset that you moved to Oklahoma to be a Harvey Girl?” His teasing made her feel all the worse for her lies. She had to find a way to cut this conversation short. She’d begun to squirm in her seat and was afraid Hunter would notice her discomfort.
    “They did, at first. But they’re happy for me.” She took a deep breath and wished away the flush that had spread to her face. “How is your job at the pharmacy coming along?”
    If she’d surprised him with her switch in conversation, he didn’t show it. Instead he entertained her with stories of how inept he felt working indoors, dealing with customers when his heart was still focused on the outdoors.
    “Maybe one day you will find something that makes you happy.”
    He gave her a pointed look and said, “I hope very much to one day find something, or someone, who makes me happy.”
    Oh God.
    Hunter tossed his Stetson on the dresser in his small bedroom and toed off his boots. Stretching out on his bed, he clasped his hands under his head and thought about Miss Emily Cabot.
    A pretty young woman with eyes of an angel. She was smart, funny and wore a scent that had tantalized him all evening. He could still smell the flowery cologne.
    It confused him how quickly he’d become interested in the girl. Thinking of her and how he would meet her, then walk her home after she finished her day, helped get him through the long hours at the pharmacy.
    He’d like more than anything to formally court her, speak with her supervisor, and ask permission to do so. Since she lived away from her family, under the care and protection of the Harvey House, it seemed the right way to do things. Then he could walk up to the front door of her boardinghouse on her days off and escort her to the theater, the museum, and even the library where interesting meetings were often held.
    As much as he wanted to do that, one thing held him back. For as sweet and tempting as she was, Miss Emily Cabot was a liar. Everything that had come out of her mouth tonight had been a falsehood. He would bet a month’s salary she’d never stepped a toe in Louisiana. Ten years of working with the Texas Rangers had honed his skills in listening when people talked. He’d also learned to watch what they didn’t say. The truth was there in how they moved their bodies.
    She had a Texas accent strong and true, and squirmed so much in her chair he feared she would knock herself to the floor. He would also bet whatever she was hiding had nothing to do with her committing any type of crime. That he would have sensed immediately. There wasn’t a coy or unlawful bone in her body. Which left him wondering the answer to one very important question.
    What kind of trouble is Emily in, and who or what is she hiding from?

Chapter 4
    “All right, Uncle Jesse, what do you want me to do?”
    Hunter and Michael had shaken hands and parted ways yesterday after two torturous weeks of pretending Hunter was happy working as a store clerk. He doubted this stint in Uncle Jesse’s office would be any better. But if this didn’t work out, he could always bug his brother-in-law, Rusty, for a job on his and Rachel’s ranch. Hunter’s leg would be a problem, but maybe he could do