Rebel with a Cause. Carol Arens

till you get back on your feet.’ The thing is, this business keeps you mostly off your feet. It’s hard to get back up.”

      “How did Zane save you?”

      “I meant to go to Pete’s Palace, but Zane wouldn’t have it. He said if I meant to take up the … dancing … life it would have to be at Maybelle’s.”

      “He might have taken you to another town. Maybe a better life.”

      “Oh, he tried. Years back I was so young and proud. I was set on making my own way in the world. Maybelle’s was the best he could do for me. Besides, he grew up here, Maybelle was like an auntie to him, it didn’t seem so bad back then.”

      “What about now? You’re a grown woman. You could leave the sporting life, surely?”

      Emily studied her fingertips making whirls in Muff’s fur. “There is one way.” She shook her head, staring hard at Missy. “I don’t know that I’d feel right about it, though.”

      A heavy knock beat on the door. The knob turned. Missy dove for Zane’s coat and wrapped herself up a second after Moe stepped into the room with two buckets of steaming water.

      He didn’t seem to take note of her flash of skin, but by heavens, there were some adventures that she did not need to have.

      Missy stared at Herman Meyer of Herman Meyer’s Mercantile over a display of canned goods on the counter. He seemed perplexed. Speechless, he stared at the red hat that had been a gift from Emily. His eyes scanned downward over the feathers that tickled her cleavage.

      “I said,” Missy pronounced loudly in case the man’s problem was that he was hard of hearing, “I’m here about your help-wanted sign in the window.”