Zooey Pinkerton- a Daughter's Right Read Online Free PDF Page B

something is up.
I'm surprised he hasn't come looking for you already.”
    “I am too,” Zooey remarked. She
shivered as if a winter wind had just blown through the room. “He
must have been angry that I got away from the ranch.”
    “I don't doubt it. For tonight
let me do some asking around. I'd feel better if you went back to
Charlie's and got a good nights sleep.”
    “I doubt I'll sleep much. From
the sounds of the music at the saloon, everyone is ready for a
party.”
    An idea crossed Joshua’s mind,
but he wasn't sure if it was appropriate. “Zooey?”
    “Yes?”
    “I'll be up late trying to sort
all this out. Why don't you stay at my place?”
    A flush burned Zooey's cheeks.
“I don't know about that.”
    “It's safe and you'll get some
rest. If you want you can even have a hot bath and a decent meal.
If I get back early, I'll sleep on the fainting couch in the
study.”
    “You have a fainting couch?”
Zooey was surprised that a bachelor like Joshua would have a piece
like that around. It was something a woman would have in her
bedroom, not a sheriff.
    “It was my mother's. After she
died and my father disappeared, it was the piece of furniture I
couldn’t throw away.” A far away look crossed Joshua's face. He had
loved his mother fiercely. As a young deputy, he had been the first
to come across her body on a dark, hot summer night. A gang of
bandits had found her alone at the house and killed her for a bit
of jewellery. His father had left shortly after and never
returned.
     
    “I'm sorry, Josh. I didn't mean
to pry.”
    Joshua pulled on his coat and
nodded. “Not to worry, Zooey. I've known you and your family for a
long time. You could never pry. Now grab your things. It's a half
hour out of the city.”
    “Thank you, Josh. It will be
nice to have an actual bath. Sarah, that saloon girl, didn't seem
too happy that Charlie was letting me stay, anyway.”
    “I wouldn't worry about Sarah.
Let's get going before its dark.” Zooey grabbed her coat and
followed Joshua out the door. She beamed when she saw Gypsy hitched
just outside the door. The horse whinnied and nodded its head in
greeting.
    “It's good to see you too,
Gypsy. You’re all I've got now.” Zooey nuzzled the horses’ neck and
scratched her forehead. She inhaled the earthy scent of the animal
and swallowed the lump that formed in her throat. You feel like
home. A tear trickled down Zooey’s cheek as she realized she
may never have a home again.
    “Are you ready, Zooey? It's
quite a ride out.”
    Zooey sniffed and hoisted
herself onto Gypsy's back.

Eight
     
     
    A pair of dark eyes watched with
interest as the sheriff and Zooey rode away from the jail office. Back to the old homestead? Interesting, he thought. This
will certainly be a homecoming no one in this town will ever
forget. I hope you’ll be surprised, Joshua Duncan.
    “Ready boss?”
    The older, distinguished looking
man glanced back and scowled at the scruffy cowboy, sitting on a
stallion behind him. “We’ll head out when I say I'm ready and not a
moment sooner. Got it?”
    “I got it, boss,” the younger
man nodded before adding silently, “Asshole” .
    “We have a stop to make before
the ranch. My throat is parched and I need a drink.”
    “Yes sir.”
    Both men nudged their mounts and
pulled their hats low over their brows. The dust curled up behind
them as they walked the horses over to Charlie's Saloon. The older
man quickly and quietly dismounted and proceeded to dust off his
dark coat and pants. “Damn dirty business, this town. Nothing has
changed. Watch my horse. I won't be long.”
    “Yes sir.”
    The older man raised an eyebrow
and shook his head. “There are many words in the English language
youngster. Perhaps you need to start using them. While I appreciate
your common sense in not speaking until spoken too; I bore easily.
Try and think up a new way to agree with me.”
    “Yes sir.”
    A heavy sigh left the man's
throat as he walked up the