Page 30 of Kissing the Sheriff
“Let me remedy that.” Conrad handed his pole to Billy. “Be a good lad and hold this.” He began pulling things out, including three plates and three forks, then unwrapped the first bundle. “Why look, we get the same thing as Billy. Fried chicken.” He handed her a piece and a napkin, then reached for another bundle. “I wonder what’s in this.”
She watched as she bit into her chicken. “It’s a bowl.”
“Mashed potatoes.” He set the bowl aside and handed her a plate. “Billy, want some?”
“When I’m done with my chicken,” he said between bites.
“What else?” Cassie asked. At this point she didn’t care what was in the basket. It was fun watching his look of wonder as he unwrapped whatever lay beneath each napkin.
“I knew she wouldn’t let us down,” Conrad said, hand over his heart. Inside the next napkin, on a small plate, were three slices of pie.
“Dora’s blackberry pie.” Cassie licked her lips. “We should go fishing more often.”
“Indeed,” he said with a smile. He dished them each up some potatoes, put a piece of chicken on his plate and started eating.
She watched and wondered if she would regret not spending more time with him. After all, what could it hurt? It’s not as if he would be around long enough for her to do something silly like get sweet on him. They’d fish a few times, she’d get her house worked on, they’d attend a dance. If there were any flutters in her belly, she’d do something about them. What, she had no idea, but she’d figure it out.
Cassie bit into her chicken, enjoyed her potatoes, then eyed the pie Dora made. She was fishing in her favorite spot with a handsome man and Billy Watson. It was a pleasant way to spend an evening.
“Do you miss your father?”
She slowly looked at Conrad. “What made you ask that?”
He shrugged. “You looked miles away just now. I thought perhaps you were thinking of him.”
She looked at her plate. “Yes, I miss him.”
“I realize young Watson and I are a poor replacement. Still, I hope you’re enjoying yourself nonetheless.”
Cassie saw the sincerity in his eyes and smiled. “I am. Very much so.” She took another bite of chicken and went back to glancing at the pie.
Conrad took the hint and put a piece on her plate.“If you looked at your slice any longer, it might crumble.”
She laughed. “I don’t think so. But thank you for giving me some.”
Billy giggled.
“What’s that about?” Conrad mused.
“Billy loves Dora’s pie,” Cassie said in explanation. “If we’re not careful, he’ll eat all three pieces without us knowing it.”
Conrad gasped. “You wouldn’t!”
Billy grinned at him. “Yes, I would.”
“He would,” Cassie said with a nod.
“Where would you put it?” Conrad asked as he looked the boy over. “That gangly little form can’t possibly hold that much food.”
Billy grinned again. “Ma says I have hollow legs.”
“And I agree,” Cassie said. “It’s amazing he doesn’t make himself sick.”
“Oliver could eat a lot when he was Billy’s age. I remember he used to sneak food up to his room.”
Billy giggled again. “So do I.”
Conrad shrugged. “Two of a feather. We’d best not let them eat together.”
