Shadow of Legends by Stephen A. Bly

theater called the Gem. But they don’t have any idea what goes on inside a theater like that. A theater in the East is not nearly as rough and . . .”
    â€œRisqué?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œAnd you’d like for them to never find out?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œThat does present a problem.”
    â€œI’ve rented myself a nice room at the Merchant’s Hotel. They’ll stay with me there. We’ll have a good time. They’re only going to be here a few days.”
    â€œWell, it sounds like you have everything nicely arranged.”
    â€œAll but one thing.”
    â€œOh?” Rebekah questioned.
    Abby stood and strolled to the edge of the porch, her back toward the house. Rebekah noticed they were both about the same height. “One thing I wanted to do was to rent a carriage and drive up to that French restaurant in Central City.”
    Rebekah nodded. “It’s a very nice place to eat if you have several hours to finish a meal.”
    â€œYes, but here’s the real problem. Amber is only five, and it wouldn’t be good to take her along. The only people I really know in Deadwood live and work at the theater, but that’s not the type of place . . .”
    A wide smile broke across Rebekah’s face. “And you want me to recommend a baby-sitter?”
    Abby swung around, her fingers laced together and pressed to her raspberry-colored lips. “It’s even more impertinent than that. I ­wanted to ask you, personally, to baby-sit.”
    â€œMe?”
    â€œI told you it was rather brazen. Could you, please? I’d pay you.” Abby held her breath and pleaded with her eyes.
    â€œNonsense. I will not take pay. Yes, I’ll baby-sit one evening for you.”
    A flood of relief broke across the woman’s firm face, and she threw her arms around a reluctant Rebekah and hugged her. “I somehow knew I could count on a Fortune. Your whole family treats people square.”
    Abby stepped back and dropped her embrace. “Sorry about the hug. I’m kind of a demonstrative person.”
    â€œThat’s alright,” Rebekah said. “Now, which night do I need to keep your daughter?”
    â€œFriday.”
    â€œOh, dear . . .”
    â€œIs there something wrong?”
    â€œWell, that’s the night of the church Raspberry Festival and Auction.”
    Miss O’Neill bit her lip and clenched her fists. “Perhaps I could change and . . .”
    â€œNo . . . no . . .” Rebekah insisted, “that’s quite alright. You don’t mind if I take your daughter with us to the church social, do you?”
    â€œOh, heavens no! That would be wonderful. You really don’t mind?”
    â€œOf course not. Just let me know what time you need to drop her off.”
    â€œI’ll leave word with Dacee June at the store,” Miss O’Neill suggested.
    â€œYou know Dacee June?”
    â€œI don’t think there’s a man, woman, or coyote in the Black Hills that doesn’t know Miss Dacee June Fortune. And she certainly knows everyone. She knows when they arrive, when they depart, and who they saw while in town.”
    â€œI didn’t realize she was that notorious.”
    â€œMost of the girls at the theater agree that if we could live our teenage years over, we’d all like to be Dacee June.”
    â€œShe does seem to enjoy life . . .”
    â€œWithout sinning.” Abby turned back to gaze across the gulch. “Having fun without sinning. That’s not an easy combination to sustain, especially in Deadwood.”
    Rebekah fidgeted with her fingers. “I believe that’s our challenge wherever we live. Some have trouble with one element more than the other, I believe.”
    â€œAnd that’s where we’re different, aren’t we?” Abby laughed. “I have trouble not sinning . . . and you have trouble having fun.”
    Rebekah bit her lip. I