Massacre at Lonesome Ridge: A Zombie Western Read Online Free PDF Page A

Plopping down in the chair, he glanced at the door one more time before reaching for the bottom drawer. Several bottles clanked together as the drawer slid open. He picked one that was half empty and pulled it out.
    "Eh! Give us a sip, would ya?"
    Connor turned to glare at Finch. "Go back to sleep. You've had enough."
    With a grumble and several insults slung at Connor's long-dead mother, Finch rolled over in the mess he had left on the floor. Connor waited until he heard the telltale snore before he propped his feet up on the table and leaned back in his chair. He pulled a long swig from the bottle, then tilted his hat down over his eyes.
    "Might as well move his stuff in."
    Connor jerked awake and nearly sent his chair flying backward. He just saved the bottle in his hand from tipping over and righted himself with several muttered curses. The bottle thudded heavily on the desk as he pushed his hat up away from his eyes. He squinted toward the door, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the bright sun as it streamed around the shadowy figure standing there.
    "Cora," he mumbled as he took in the shape of flouncy skirts and the round face. Her dress was a bright cerulean blue and the sleeves hung off the shoulders seductively.
    The dancing girl trounced into the room and propped a hip on the corner of his desk. "You sound so happy to see me," she teased. With a practiced deftness, she moved the bottle well out of his reach as she placed the basket she carried onto the desk. "I brought you breakfast. You look like you need it. Rough night?"
    Connor grunted and yawned. Cora laughed as she pulled a metal cup and a carafe full of coffee from the basket. She poured a cup of hot black liquid into the mug and pushed it toward the sheriff. "Drink up, little brother."
    As he sipped the coffee, Cora pulled out a tin plate and began arranging other items on it. Cornbread, a couple hard boiled eggs, some fried sausage. Connor picked up a piece of sausage and munched it between sips of coffee. Cora pulled out another package and unwrapped more cornbread as she walked over to the occupied cell.
    "Finch," she called sweetly through the bars. "Wakey wakey."
    The old man didn't move. She reached a booted foot through the bars and prodded him in the ribs. He grunted and rolled over, but didn't wake up. With an exasperated sigh, Cora walked to the bucket sitting next to the cells and drew out some water. She carefully maneuvered the dripping scoop over Finch's trousers and tipped it up. He sputtered and swore as he swatted at his crotch, but eventually pulled himself into a sitting position.
    "Bah, it's just you." He glared at her with mock dislike, but he happily accepted the cornbread she tossed to him.
    She propped a hand her hip and affected a mock pout. "What do you mean 'just me'? You seemed awful happy to see me last night, Mr. Finch."
    Ed grumbled. " 'Cause o' you, I always end up with less money 'n I start out with. Yer a devil woman."
    Cora leaned over and tweaked his cheek through the bars. "My dear Mr. Finch, you never complain about parting with your money when you're doing it."
    She tossed him a wink and sauntered back over to the desk, her heels clicking soundly on the wooden floor the entire way.
    "Why do you have to do that?" Connor sighed at his older sister and shook his head.
    Cora's grin fell and she crossed her arms as she narrowed her eyes at Connor. "Do what, dear brother?" It was a challenge to start an argument they had had too many times before and he couldn't help but rise to the bait.
    He waved a hand at her dress. "That. Wearin' that getup. It's too damn early in the morning to be doin' that whorin' stuff."
    Cora's lips pulled into a snarl and her nostrils flared. Her hands balled into fists and shook as she fought the urge to slap him. "I am not a whore, Connor McClane, and you would do well to never call me that again."
    Connor held up a hand in surrender. "Calm down. I wasn't calling you a whore. I just meant..." He