Read Online Shadow of Legends by Stephen A. Bly - Free Book Online Page A

someday, and you know it. But I will not raise a child where they can tumble off their front porch and end up fifty feet below on Main Street, or where a stagecoach might drive over the top of them, or they have to be a mountain goat to go see a sunset.”
    He unbuttoned the sleeves of his white shirt and rolled them up two turns. “I think you made your point at lunch.”
    â€œAre we going to ride down to Rapid City on Sunday?”
    â€œYes, Ma’am. Raspberry Festival on Friday, ride on Sunday. You have a busy week. That reminds me, Thelma Speaker stopped by the store and bought fifty steel washers.”
    â€œWashers?”
    â€œYou know, for bolts. They’re about the size of a two-bit piece. Here’s the funny thing. She said they were for the new dress she’s making for the Raspberry Festival.”
    â€œFor a dress? She’s going to have steel washers on her dress?”
    â€œApparently. I told her you were going to spend the afternoon working on yours.”
    â€œActually, I have mine done. I decided to borrow one.” Rebekah scurried off to the bedroom.
    Todd buttered a wedge of steaming hot cornbread. I need to make a poultice out of this and apply it to the back of my leg. A camphor rag . . . I’ll have Rebekah warm a camphor rag.
    She waltzed out of the back room carrying the silk dress on a thick, wooden hanger. “Isn’t this the most absolutely beautiful, raspberry-colored dress you’ve ever seen?”
    â€œIt is beautiful. I presume that wrap is permanently attached to the shoulders?”
    â€œYes, it is,” she nodded. At least it will be by Friday night.
    â€œWho did you borrow it from?”
    â€œMrs. Abigail Gordon,” she said.
    â€œMrs. Gordon? I don’t believe I know them. What’s her husband do?”
    â€œHe’s a doctor, but it’s a rather sad story. They’re divorced.”
    â€œHow long have you known her? I don’t recall you mentioning her name. Where does she live? Is she new in town?”
    â€œWe just met. I commented on how lovely this dress would look at the church Raspberry Festival.”
    â€œYou invited her, I trust?”
    â€œShe had a previous engagement but insisted I wear the dress.”
    â€œThat was quite generous of her.”
    â€œYes, that’s what I thought.”
    â€œSounds like you had quite a visit.”
    â€œWell, I did have her up for tea this afternoon.”
    â€œThat’s good. There are new people moving to town all the time. There might be others you’d enjoy getting to meet.”
    â€œI hope you don’t mind, but I agreed to baby-sit for her five-year-old daughter.”
    â€œYou’d better watch out, Mrs. Fortune. You start playing with little girls like that and you’ll want one for your own,” he chided.
    â€œThat thought did occur to me.”
    â€œWhen is she coming over?” he asked.
    â€œFriday. I thought we’d take her to the festival with us.”
    â€œBeing divorced and all, what does Mrs. Gordon do for income? I would imagine she’s a seamstress, with a gown like that one.”
    â€œActually, she’s an actress and singer.”
    â€œOh . . . the Opera House! She’s with that new troupe from Philadelphia, no doubt. I hear their Gilbert and Sullivan is quite impressive. Let’s invite Dad and Dacee June to go with us.”
    â€œI agree . . .” Rebekah tugged at her diamond earring, then laced her fingers in front of her. “Todd, Mrs. Gordon does not sing at the Opera House. She sings, and acts, at the Gem Theater.”
    His eyes locked on hers. “You’re baby-sitting for one of the girls at the Gem?”
    â€œWhat difference does that make? Are their children not worthy of good care?”
    â€œThat’s not what I meant!” he fumed. “How did you say you met this woman?”
    â€œI was outside on the porch reading, and she stopped