Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse

Author:Kimberley Woodhouse
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance;Christian fiction;Novels;FIC042110;FIC042030;FIC027360
ISBN: 9781493445332
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2024-01-08T00:00:00+00:00

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1889 • DENVER

“You, my dear, will be the queen of all this when you are older. You’ll be able to buy yourself whatever your heart desires.” Papa’s voice sounded so pleased. So happy.

She watched him closely. Glanced around the room at all the chests of jewels and gold coins. The idea of always having whatever she wanted was wonderful.

Then he grabbed her arm and squeezed it tight.

“Ow, Papa, that hurts.” She kicked at his leg and missed.

He dragged her along into the next room. “Your tantrums will do no good against me, my dear.”

With a grunt, she leaned her head over and bit his hand.

“Why, you little—” He sucked in his lips over the last word. His grip tightened.

“Ow!” She stomped her foot. Pitching a fit had always been to her benefit in the past. She’d gotten whatever she wanted.

But Papa wasn’t cooperating. He grabbed her other arm, squeezed even tighter, and then shook her. Leaning down, he was almost nose to nose with her now. “Don’t even think of trying to bite me again.” He stared her down. “Now . . . are you quite finished?”

Lifting her chin, she turned to face the other way.

“Fine.” He dragged her toward another door and swung it open. “This”—he shoved her toward a smelly man lying on the floor—“is what will happen to you if you decide to disobey me again.”

She stumbled and fell onto the man. His open, unseeing eyes made her scramble backward as fast as she could. She’d seen dead men before but had never gotten used to it.

“As long as we are clear, my dear.”

“Yes, Papa.” She swallowed hard. “I won’t disobey you again.”

“Good. No more tantrums?”

“No, Papa.”

“I’m glad to hear it.”

With a shiver she worked herself back to her feet, but as she turned, Papa closed the door and locked it. “This is simply to give you a chance to think about your actions, my dear. And to remind you of the consequences.”

Kneeling down, she looked through the keyhole. “Papa?”

But he turned and strode away—

“No!” She woke with a start and sat up. Sweat on her forehead and neck. The memory from her childhood always came back in her dreams.

This time she’d woken up before she saw the blood. And before she screamed along with her seven-year-old self.

Rubbing her arms, she pushed the pictures in her mind away. Her father had been a harsh man, but he had indeed given her the world. And all his knowledge. Every scheme. Each bargaining tactic that had won him his fortune.

Now she was enjoying the life she lived. The parts she played. Continuing the legacy and building the fortune.

Papa had been harsh, yes, but he’d taught her that she could have whatever she wanted.

No matter who stood in her way.

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