Whispers on the Wind (A Prairie Hearts Novel Book 5) Read Online Free PDF

forge, was a friendly sort. They’d talked for a good forty minutes, the blacksmith filling him in on the train wreck the town had experienced a few months back. Later tonight, Hunter planned to go to the hotel and have a real meal of meat and potatoes.
    “Hello in the camp?” a man’s voice called. The slight Irish accent brought to mind a family he and Thorp had guided to Oregon. “Anyone here?” the voice called again.
    Now what? He was minding his own business. He hoped that gossipy woman in the mercantile hadn’t encouraged someone to run him off. He was tired. He wasn’t going anywhere tonight. Still wearing his revolver, Hunter stood and stepped out into the clearing, surprised to see Tabitha, as well as another woman and a man.
    The fella walked forward with purpose. “I’m Thom Donovan. Deputy sheriff of Logan Meadows.” He gestured to the woman at his side. “My wife, Hannah Donovan. I heard that you’ve already met Miss Canterbury. We were out for a stroll, and I wanted to stop by and welcome you to town, Mr. Wade.” He held out his hand.
    Hunter grasped the deputy’s hand, all the while sizing him up. “Thank you.” He couldn’t stop his gaze from meandering over to Tabitha.
    She gave a small shrug. “Beth, in the mercantile, told Thom about you. I didn’t know Thom and Hannah planned on walking out here until I’d already agreed to join them.”
    A mite defensive. “Glad you did, miss,” he said on a half chuckle. After having Quincy’s deed signed over to him, he’d been in a fine mood for days. Still was. He felt young again. Excited for this new chapter in his life.
    She looked past him into his camp. “There’s a hotel in town, and also an inn on the other side of Logan Meadows, in case you’d be more comfortable there.”
    “Camping is fine for the time being. That is, if I’m not breaking any laws.”
    “None,” the deputy responded. “If you start trouble, now, that’ll be a different story. You can count on seeing me or Albert then.”
    “That won’t happen.”
    Thom’s smile seemed friendly enough as he said, “Didn’t think so after what Tabitha said about meeting you in the mercantile. We welcome newcomers. If you like Logan Meadows, you just might stay on.”
    Hunter nodded. “I just may do that, Deputy.” He’d lived on the trail his whole life. Journeyed from Independence, Missouri, to various destinations in Oregon and California twenty-one times, a blanket on the ground his only bed. He was tired. The thought of settling somewhere was mighty appealing.
    Mrs. Donovan sent him a smile. “I hope you’ll stop in to our restaurant sometime soon. It’s called the Silky Hen, located inside the hotel next to the lobby. Has the best food in town, if I do say so myself. Your first dessert is on the house.”
    “Much obliged, Mrs. Donovan. Actually, I was just about to amble in for a hot meal this evening. Plan to do that shortly.”
    The deputy’s wife’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful. Be sure and mention to Susanna or Roberta—that’s my mother—what I offered. Don’t be shy. They’ll know what you’re talking about.”
    “I’m not shy, ma’am. I appreciate your offer and your recommendations.”
    “Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you there are other restaurants in town as well,” she added. “During your stay, if you tire of our food, I can recommend Nana’s Place one street over.”
    “We should be going,” Tabitha said, glancing back over her shoulder at the town. “Let Mr. Wade get back to what he was doing before we barged in. I’m sure he has things to do.”
    His chuckle slipped out before he could stop it. “Not much to do, Miss Canterbury, except to think about my next meal and how good my blanket is going to feel tonight. But I do appreciate your concern over my privacy.”
    Thom reached out and they shook once again. “I’m sure I’ll see you around town.”
    Imagine so, when Kendall Martin finds out I’m his