Whispers on the Wind Read Online Free Page A

take several days.” He picked up his bag
and turned toward Carter. “Seems the body is a strange instrument
She might not be able to tell you anything when she comes to. Her
memory could be gone or she could be completely normal and then all
your worries will be over. If anything changes tonight, call for
me.”
    “I’ll do that Thanks,
Doc,” Carter said.
    After the door shut Rick
pushed away from the wall. “So what are we going to do with
her?”
    Carter’s expression was
tight with strain. “Damned if I know,” he said with a sigh. “Let’s
get something to eat. I’ve suddenly developed a rip-roaring
headache.”
    Rick chuckled. “Yep, and
there it lies in bed.”

 
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Carter wasn’t sure he’d
enjoyed dinner as his thoughts reluctantly kept returning to the
unconscious woman upstairs, but at least his stomach had quit
growling. And they were inside, out of the miserable snow. Spring
couldn’t come soon enough for him.
    Rick had grumbled all
through dinn er about how sorry his company was,
and he was probably right. Carter had been quiet throughout the
meal. Usually they’d discuss the next day, but tonight Rick had
talked and Carter had barely managed to grunt his replies. He’d
never admit to his sidekick that his mind was upstairs because then
Rick would never let him alone about the girl.
    They had left the table and
were headed for the stairs when Rick asked him, “You want to bunk
with me?”
    “No. I’d better keep an
eye out for our pris—I mean the girl, in case she wakes up. Don’t
want her to bolt before I have some answers,” Carter said with a
grin. “If I get tired, I’ll sleep on top of the blanket, so she
doesn’t wake up crying rape.”
    “Yep.” Rick chuckled. “I’d
hate to have to arrest you.”
    Carter turned the doorknob
and entered the room while Rick stood back leaning against the
doorjamb.
    Carter arched his brow.
“Arrest me? That will be the day.”
    “You can’t possibly care
one thing about that little filly.”
    “Of course, I don’t,”
Carter snapped, then he jerked his arm toward the girl. “Look at
her. She looks like something the cats dragged in, but she’s also
very young and, at the moment, helpless. I know I’ve been accused
of being a coldhearted SOB, but I do have compassion once in a
while.”
    Rick gave him a half smile.
“I’ll guess somehow I missed that side of your sterling
personality. I bet the outlaws you’ve hauled in would have a
different opinion.”
    “A criminal doesn’t
deserve compassion,” Carter said as he sat down on one of the
chairs by the fireplace to remove his boots. “The ones I’ve met are
guilty until proven innocent.”
    “That’s what I like about
you ... everything is either black or white. There is no
in-between.”
    “It’s worked well for me
in the past.” Carter grunted as he jerked off his left boot “So I
see no reason to change.”
    Rick folded his arms across
his chest. “I hate to bring up the subject, but what are you going
to do with her”—he nodded toward the bed—“when we get ready to
leave?”
    Carter stared at the woman
for a long moment. “If she’s awake, we’ll leave her in the good
hands of the sheriff. If she isn’t”—he paused, rubbing his
chin—“I’m taking her with me.”
    “You’re going to haul an
unconscious woman all the way to Windy Bend?”
    “If need be.”
    “I don’t believe what I
just heard.” Rick scowled. “I must be plumb loco. But I’m going to
ask anyway ... why?”
    “Since I’m a betting
man”—Carter paused from staring at the girl to look at Rick—“I’d
wager she’s running from something or someone, and I just don’t
feel obliged to leave her helpless. Think about it Doesn’t she
appear to be about your sister’s age?” When Rick nodded, Carter
asked, “Would you want somebody to leave your sister alone to fend
for herself?”
    Carter didn’t wait for Rick
to answer. Instead he said, “I just