Whispers on the Wind (A Prairie Hearts Novel Book 5) (12 page)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

J
ake, what’s wrong? Has something happened?” The happiness Daisy had felt when she’d opened the door to her small living quarters behind the hotel evaporated the moment she saw her love’s eyes. He was troubled, and hurting.

“We need to talk, Daisy. Do you have a few minutes? I know it’s late, but this is important.”

She didn’t dare invite him inside at eight o’clock at night. With her reputation, that would surely start the gossipers to talking. As a reformed saloon girl, she had to be doubly careful about the things she did, or said. She’d been in love with Jake since she was fifteen years old. Back then, he’d been her stalwart support. Helped her out of her old life, finding her employment at the Silky Hen and moving her to this tiny place. Trading Tabitha baking for the book she’d ordered had strengthened her today. There were all kinds of opportunities, if one just looked for them in the right places. She had to remember that. But the unreadable—and disconcerting—expression on Jake’s face worried her. What was wrong?

Leaning inside, she lifted her shawl from the back of the battered old Queen Anne chair that belonged to the landlord, then stepped out and closed the door. They walked around to the front of the hotel and sat on the bench outside the establishment’s glass front doors, in the respectable amount of light. It was their usual meeting place, where townsfolk could see they were keeping their relationship chaste until they married.

She took his warm hand into her own, finding comfort in his strength, the roughness of his palm, the way his thumb moved over her fingers in a never-ending promise. He’d been her champion for over two years. Her only thought from sunup to sundown. She couldn’t wait until they were man and wife. Just as soon as he saved a little more money and felt ready to take on the responsibilities of starting a family, he’d promised that was exactly what they would do.

“What’s happened?” she asked. “I can see a storm brewing in your eyes, Jake. Don’t try to hide it from me.”

His face clouded over. “Yeah, something’s happened,” he said low, leaning toward her. “Something I never thought would. I don’t know completely how I feel about it yet myself.”

“Well,
tell
me,
please
. This waiting is killing me.”

He sat a little straighter. “Jake Costner.”

“What?”

A small smile played around the corners of his lips. With his free hand, he patted his chest. “I have a name, Daisy. I’m Jake Costner.”

She sucked in a deep breath. “What?” she said again, completely at a loss. “How?”

Three riders approached the hotel, so Daisy waited to continue until they rode past. The moment gave her time to gather the feelings thundering around her chest. Change was in the air. How would it affect them? “Jake, I’m so happy for you. How on earth did this information find you?” Her happiness for him mixed with trepidation. Would this discovery alter his feelings? With a complete identity, once the missing wound where his father was healed, would he still want someone as damaged as her?

“My mother is here in Logan Meadows.”

“Your mother?” This was so unreal.

“Yes. I spoke with her tonight. She gave me a letter from the man she claims is my father.” With his free hand, he pulled a dented envelope from his pocket and set it on his lap. “He’s dying. Want’s to meet me.”

“Dying from what?”
Lack of heart?

“The letter doesn’t say.”

Unable to look him in his eyes for fear he’d see her distress, she kept her gaze trained on his hand held firmly in her own. What did this mean? Jake was leaving? There wasn’t an inkling of doubt in her mind that he would respond, go when summonsed away from Logan Meadows. After he learned what he’d been seeking, would he ever come back? After all was said and done? Or would he stay on? Did this mean he didn’t want to marry her anymore?

“Daisy, darlin’, what’re you thinkin’? Why’re you so quiet?”

With a gentle finger, he lifted her chin and found her gaze.

She gave a halfhearted shrug. “Hearing this is just such a shock. I don’t know what to think.”
You’re leaving me, Jake, that’s what I know. That’s why my heart is breaking and sorrow has its hand tight around my throat. I love you. I don’t want you to go.

“I know. I felt the same. And still do.”

“Where’s your ma now?”

“She’s staying at the Red Rooster with Violet.”

“Violet? I’m surprised. Mrs. Hollyhock is a Christian woman, but sometimes she even has limits. I’m astonished, is all.”

“She’s making the effort for me. But, I feel the same as you.”

Well, it’s plain to see he’s going. I won’t stop him. And if I love him like I do, I’ll make it easy to go . . .

“When will you leave?”

He let go a whoosh of air, and a full-blown smile stretched across his handsome face. “I’m happy to hear you say that, Daisy. I didn’t know how you would respond. I’d never do anything to hurt you, or us, but this is something I have to do. For the both of us.”

“Of course, I want you to go find your pa. Any woman worth her salt would. I love you, Jake, and I only want what makes you happy. If traveling away from Logan Meadows for a time will do that, then I say you better go. What does Chase say about losing you for a while?”

“He’s fine with it. Says I need to go meet my father before he passes away. That’s why I need to hurry.”

Oh, how she wished she could give him a kiss.

Nothing was certain any longer. The queen of spades had dealt her a vicious blow, as she always did, wanting to muddle up any good luck that came Daisy’s way. Well, she wouldn’t fret just yet.

This wasn’t the end, she reminded herself as he gazed lovingly into her eyes. It was the beginning of their future.
Together.
She desperately wanted to trust her thoughts, but something inside kept twisting her heart. She’d believe it when he walked back into her life.

CHAPTER TWENTY

W
hen the reading concluded, Hunter was one of the first out on the boardwalk. He sucked in a deep breath of air, appreciating the openness and the sight of the stars in the sky. His roots were in the wide-open spaces, the prairie, the mountains, the long-forgotten ghost towns.

Great Expectations
had been engaging. He’d like to get a copy of the book and read it himself, but only after he finished
Tom Sawyer
. He’d worked for some time today on that project, getting to the end of chapter one. Standing back, he nodded as people exited, chatting excitedly about the event, then proceeded on their way home. Through the window, he could see Tabitha taking money from a few hands in payment. She’d made some sales. Good. He wondered how Kendall had fared in the saloon. Frank Lloyd came out of the bookstore, smiled, and continued on his way home.

Charlie Axelrose, his wife, and their little girl exited next. Yesterday, Hunter had taken his stock out to their horse ranch to board, being their place was within walking distance. Since he wasn’t using his mule or his horse at this time, keeping them out there was more affordable than at the livery in town, though Win hadn’t been happy to lose his business. The young woman who cared for the Axelroses’ blind daughter stood close to their side. He’d heard she’d lost her only aunt the day of the train accident and broken her own arm. With no other relations, she’d stayed on in town.

Tabitha breezed out into the evening air with a shawl draped over her shoulders, riding high from her accomplishment. There was just enough lamplight to see her pink cheeks and bright smile. Her arms moved around in animation as she thanked her guests and bid them good night. Feeling awkward without his usual hat, he stood alone a few feet away from the Axelrose group. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, in no rush to leave.

“There you are, Julia,” Tabitha said, taking one of Julia’s hands after darting a quick inquisitive look at him. “I’ve been trying to catch your eye all night. I wanted to see how you’ve been. I haven’t seen you in town for a few days.”

“I’ve been busy watching this little gal.” She set one hand on Maddie’s shoulders. “And I’m perfecting my cross-stitch.”

Nell smiled at Julia and then winked at Tabitha. “You haven’t mentioned a thing about riding, Julia. I seem to remember several long outings you and Gabe have taken.”

The shy girl ducked her head. “Yes, that’s true. In his spare time, Gabe’s decided to teach me to ride.”

“I see,” Tabitha responded with a tone full of meaning. She reached out and stroked the blind child’s hair. “Hi, Maddie. Did you like the story?”

“A lot,” Maddie responded. “But not that mean man with the chain on his leg. He scares me. He wanted to eat poor Pip’s cheeks!”

The group chuckled.

“I know. Isn’t that horrible? He scares me, too,” Tabitha replied, again glancing his way.

Hunter kept a stoic face but wanted to chuckle.

“You being scared means I’m doing my job, Maddie. I hope you come back next week.”

Is Mr. Wade waiting on me?
Tabitha kept up her chatter with Nell’s family, and all the while Mr. Wade’s tall, imposing presence continued to distract her thoughts. When she’d first seen him standing outside on the boardwalk, she’d thought he was just hanging around to speak with friends, but now, most everyone was gone. When the Axelrose family left, they would be the only ones left on the quiet street.

“We’d better get moving before Maddie falls asleep on her feet,” Charlie said, lifting his little girl into his arms. The group started off.

“Have a nice walk under the stars.” Surreptitiously, Tabitha glanced down both directions of the street.
We’re alone.

She peeked over at Mr. Wade, who was already looking at her. He closed the distance between them.

“Can I help you with something, Mr. Wade?” She sounded so silly. So formal.

“Yes, as a matter of fact, I was waiting for you. I want to tell you that I read a whole chapter of the book. I had to skip some words, but I got enough to know what’s happening.”

He gave a boyish shrug, as if reporting to a teacher whom he wanted to impress.

She clapped her hands together. “That’s wonderful! Good for you. You’ll be reading well in no time.”

“I don’t know about that, but I would like you to order a copy for me to buy. I’d feel better purchasing instead of borrowing. ‘Be not a lender or borrower,’ Thorp liked to say.”

Does he feel sorry for me? I sold five whole books tonight, doing much better than I ever expected. I would have been happy with one.
“Thorp?”

“The man who raised me.”

“That’s not necessary. I don’t expect you to buy the book. You should finish reading it first, to see if it keeps your interest.”

“My interest is captured, I can assure you.”

At his warm, tingle-inducing tone, she jerked her gaze away from his, feeling her face heat. She fastened her eyes on the lantern hanging by her front door.
Are we talking about the same thing?
His ability to make her feel eighteen years old was uncanny,
darn him
. Unable to stop herself from glancing back, she caught his smile. His warm gaze roamed slowly over her face. When it landed on her lips, she felt as if she were sinking into a patch of quicksand.

Surely, he knew how deadly his gaze could be. Especially on a spinster. He wasn’t a boy—far from it. He must have seduced his fair share of women in his life, and by his casual manner, enjoyed doing it.

He glanced up at the stars. “Look at the blanket of stars the Lord has laid out for our enjoyment.”

She followed his gaze. “Beautiful. The stars were never so bright in New York. Here, they amaze me.”

He chuckled.

“What?”

“Had you pegged as a city girl.”

She returned his smile. “Well, you’re correct. I’m on my way out for a little night air before I turn in. I’m much too keyed up to go to sleep just yet.” She rearranged the shawl more securely around her shoulders.

“By yourself?”

“I don’t go far—just up one side of Main Street and return on the other. I always stay within the lamplight. Most nights, I go out much earlier, but tonight the reading has put that off by a few hours. Sometimes I cross the street and say good night to Max and Clementine.”
Be quiet! He’ll know how desperately lonely you are. Have a little pride.

His brows raised a smidgeon. “Mind if I go along—for your safety. I wouldn’t want to wake up to hear a wolf had stolen you away.” He stepped closer, offering his arm. “And besides, I’ve been so busy with the saloon, I’ve let some of the things I cotton to most go by the wayside. Like walking to the light of the stars. Time I corrected that.”

What am I doing? Aunt Roberta would have a heart attack if she saw us. Stop this foolishness before it’s too late!

“Just let me get my key and lock the door.”