Shadow of Legends Read Free Page B

talker for a Texican,” she laughed. “I’ll warm it in the oven.”
    Todd laced his fingers and slid them behind his head. She wants me to be a banker. I should have taken Mr. Lander’s offer and become a Wells Fargo stagecoach driver. They must be the most fearless men in the territory. No fear of wild animals. Nor of outlaws. Nor of Indians. No worry of narrow, rutted roads.
    And no fear of a strong-willed wife with her mind made up. “In the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast,” he muttered as he sat up.
    â€œWhat did you say?” Rebekah asked. She entered the parlor toting a slice of apple pie in one hand and a fork in the other.
    â€œI was just mumbling a Bible verse I’m trying to memorize.”
    â€œI trust it wasn’t about a nagging wife being like dripping water . . .” She handed him the pie.
    â€œAren’t you going to have any?”
    â€œNo,” she insisted. “I need to lose some weight.”
    Todd stared at her and shook his head. “You? You don’t weigh a hundred pounds now.”
    â€œDacee June and I stopped at the meat market today and weighed ourselves. I weigh 112 pounds. That’s four pounds more than I did when we married.”
    â€œYou worry about your weight too much.”
    â€œAnd you worry about our future too little.”
    â€œOur future is fairly well taken care of. We are partners in a successful business, own mining interests, and have one of the nicest homes on Forest Hill. What should I be worried about?”
    â€œMe. Todd, I really do need to move,” she reasserted. “I am tired of being cooped up in this house every day.”
    The pie tasted sweet in his mouth but hit his stomach like a lump. “Rebekah, tell me one advantage that Rapid City would have over Deadwood.”
    â€œI’ll tell you two.” She folded her arms again as she paced the long, narrow room. “Sunrises and sunsets.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThere are no sunrises in Deadwood. We live in a hole in the ground. There is never a golden sunrise or a glowing sunset.” She paused by the front window and glanced down at Main Street. “I want to look out my window and see something besides Deadwood Gulch, pine trees, dirt, and the top of every building in the badlands.” She leaned closer to the window. “And your sister running up the steps.”
    Todd stood and walked to the window, carrying his pie. “Is she going home, or coming here?”
    â€œHere, apparently.”
    He set his pie down and began pulling on his boots. “They must need me at the store.”
    â€œShe’s carrying a revolver in her belt. I really don’t know why Daddy Brazos doesn’t insist that she be more ladylike.”
    â€œHe figures she can’t compete with the likes of you and Jamie Sue . . . so why not let her be herself.”
    â€œWhen she carries that revolver, she intimidates every teenage boy in town.”
    â€œWhen she carries that gun, she intimidates all the men in town. Maybe that’s Daddy’s point.”
    â€œWell, whatever the point, we have company.”
    Dacee June burst through the front door without knocking, her tall, black lace-up boots banging out a sense of urgency. “They tried to hold up the stage, and Handsome Harry’s been shot!” Dacee gasped. She bent over at the waist to catch her breath.
    Todd pulled his wool trouser leg over his boot and stood, fastening his starched white collar. “How’s Harry?”
    â€œHe’s not fumed, if that’s what you mean,” Dacee reported.
    Todd buttoned his thin black tie and pulled on his suit coat. “Did they steal anything?”
    â€œThe treasure coach doesn’t go out until next week.” Dacee June was still gulping for air. “Besides, there isn’t anyone who could stop Handsome Harry’s stage.”
    Rebekah