Zooey Pinkerton- a Daughter's Right Read Online Free

Thank that do-gooder lawman Duncan.”
    Tom Brennan sat up and grunted
his disapproval. “I should have killed her when I had a chance.
She's smart, I'll grant her that, but she's still a woman. I'll get
her in the end. Besides, I have more important things to do right
now. The Boss is coming to town to inspect his new property.”
    “Do I finally get a chance to
meet him, Tommy? You promised I'd meet him one day.”
    A steely sideways glance made
Sarah go quiet. Tom's wide shoulders shook with laughter. “It won't
be today, honey. Besides you aren't my wife, so don't get any big
ideas. As long as you do what you’re told, you'll get what you
deserve.”
    Sarah's heart dropped. She had
foolishly hoped that Tom would realize he couldn't live without
her. She loved him “I deserve a lot, Tommy. I always do what
you say.” She pouted and hung her head.
    Tom drew her in close, placing a
loud, wet kiss on her lips. He ran a hand over her breast and
pinched the flesh until her eyes watered. “Yes you do, because you
know where your bread is buttered.”
    Without another word, Tom got
dressed, pulled on his boots, and slid out the open window. “I'll
be back soon. We'll have a good time later when I get back. I have
some business to take care of.”
    Sarah watched as he jumped to
the alley below. Her whole body stung from the rejection. She wiped
away a tear and stripped the clothes from her body. She went
through the motions of washing her face in the basin on her dresser
and brushing her long blonde hair. She stopped and stared in the
mirror on the wall and grimaced at the reflection. Sarah knew she
was getting older. She looked tired. She supposed she should feel
lucky to have attention from a man like Tom Brennan when he could
have girls younger or prettier. “Maybe one day he'll realize how
lucky he is,” she sighed. “I just have to get his respect.”
    As she said the words, a small
spark of an idea began to form. It was an idea she hoped would
finally get her into Tom' heart and not just his bed.

Five
     
     
    Zooey looked around the room. It
was large with icy white lace curtains and a bare wooden floor -
save for a violet threadbare square of carpet lying next to the
single bed. The bed had clean linen and a heavy, handmade quilt,
folded up in the centre of the mattress. To finish off the décor,
there was an old dresser with a cracked mirror in the corner.
    “There's a wash up table, some
towels, and a basin in that closet if you like. Used to be my
wife's room before she passed on. Hope it's alright for you,
Zooey.”
    “It's fine, Charlie. Thank you
again for this. I appreciate it.”
    Charlie tipped his hat and
smiled. “My pleasure. I'll leave a pot of coffee and a bowl of
grits outside the door. You try and get some sleep.” When Charlie
finally left the room, she sighed heavily. Daybreak was only an
hour away and the room was cast with dark grey shadows. Not
bothering to light a lamp, Zooey kicked off her boots, hung up her
coat, and made the bed. She stripped down to her undergarments and
crawled in between the cool cotton sheets. All around her was
silence. It made her feel more alone than ever. Her father was gone
– and there was no escaping it now. Tears burned hot in the corner
of her eyes. “I will repay you for what you've done, Tom Brennan,”
she whispered. Eventually, exhaustion won out and she fell into a
restless sleep.
     
    * * *
     
    It was well after high noon when
Zooey woke up, stretched, and looked around the bedroom.
Disoriented from sleep, she felt panic rise in her chest until she
remember where she was and why she was there. “It's not a dream
after all, “she sighed.
    The late afternoon sun cast an
orange glow on the walls of the room. Reluctantly, Zooey pulled
herself out of bed and gathered up her day old clothes. She washed
and dressed quickly, wondering what Josh had discovered at the
ranch.
    “I'd love to hog tie them all to
a fence and leave them for the coyotes,”