Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38157 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 191(@200wpm)___ 153(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
She would have to make do.
“And when you’re done here, you’ll come back and eat with us. Doc makes a mean cornbread with beans, and there’s plenty. You’ll need your strength for the days ahead.”
She despised beans, and only ever ate porridge or bread and butter with eggs at home, the food her cook placed upon dainty plates for her.
“I’m not hungry,” she lied, her stomach growling in betrayal.
He laughed mirthlessly. “I didn’t ask if you were hungry. I told you you were going to eat. Now, pretty girl, you have two choices,” he said, as they came upon the edge of the creek. “You’ll either do as I tell you,” he paused, his voice dropping as he fixed her with a stern glare, “or disobey me and earn another trip over Daddy’s knee. Understood?” He stopped walking and looked expectantly in her face. His eyes had hardened, his jaw set.
She swallowed, unable to swallow the fear that set her heart stuttering. “Fine,” she hissed.
His hand shot out before she even knew what was happening, delivering a startling swat to her backside. “You watch that tone, young lady,” he said, all teasing now gone from his eyes. “You’ll respond properly with a yes, Daddy, or I’ll spank your pretty bottom right here and now.”
The nerve!
She pursed her lips but truly did not want to be punished again. She had no doubt he meant what she said. She inhaled, keeping her anger in check with considerable difficulty. “Yes, Daddy,” she nearly growled.
He grinned. “Good girl. Now go take care of business, and remember what happens to naughty girls who don’t obey their daddies. Go, now,” he said, pointing to the creek. Silently cursing him out, she obeyed.
Chapter Four
Love me or hate me, both are in my favor. ― William Shakespeare
Cole watched her choke down the food she no doubt despised, while she glared at him. He narrowed his eyes at her and took a large bite, chewing quickly. They couldn’t stay for long, and had to get moving on the trail. Out of the corner of his eye, he took in Junior, who was piling the dirty dishes together ready to be washed, and his brother Justice, who was brooding on the side, watching all that went down. His brother had always been unpredictable and cruel, which served him well in their posse. But for the first time, Cole began to fear that his brother’s character threatened the girl. Justice had kept his amorous pursuits hidden from Cole, but he’d heard rumors. Now Cole wondered exactly what he was capable of.
“You need more, darlin’?” Cole asked, but the question was scornful, not kind.
“No,” she hissed.
He narrowed his eyes and wagged a finger. “You mind yourself, pretty girl. I’m only makin’ sure you’ve got plenty in your belly before we mosey on.” She pursed her lips as he took another bite of bread. “Now, it seems to me I’ve been remiss. You ain’t been properly introduced to the rest of our company.”
He pointed a lazy finger at Justice, who sat furthest away from the group. His brooding eyes met Cole’s as he spoke. “Justice, my younger brother, fastest gunslinger in our company, fearless.” And unpredictable, he thought grimly to himself, remembering how badly he’d wanted to knock his brother’s teeth down his throat when he’d had the nerve to touch her. He wasn’t sure what angered him more: the fact that his brother’d crossed a line and attempted to assault Aida, or his own anger that rose up in her defense. It wouldn’t do to grow soft when he had a mission to accomplish. Not at all. Justice nodded. “You two have met,” Cole said, barely tempering a growl. Aida, to her credit, was unmoved.
“Over here’s Doc,” Cole said, as Aida reluctantly followed his gesture. Doc was Cole’s age, a widower in his early twenties, an educated man who’d turned to darker ways when he lost his wife to murder six months after they had wed. He was invaluable as a healer in their group, when gunshot wounds, illness, and disease threatened them. He was also the brains of the group. Tall, with thick brown hair, blue eyes, and spectacles, Doc appeared to be every bit the gentleman and scholar. But Cole well knew what he was capable of, and relied on him when the chips were down.
“Pleased to meet you,” Doc said, tipping his hat to Aida. She gave the slightest nod of her head, but her gaze did not soften.
“You’ve met Junior,” Cole said, pointing another finger at the young blond, who grinned at her while he cleaned his fingernails with the tip of a dagger. Maybe Aida could be tricked into trusting him.
“Howdy,” Junior said. Aida’s eyes softened just the slightest bit. Lucky for Junior he looked innocent. Cole used that to the advantage of his posse on more than one occasion.