Page 52 of Kissing the Sheriff
“Now wait a minute,” Phileas said as he followed. “What does that mean?”
Conrad waited for him to join him in the hall, then closed and locked the door. “Of all of us, you’re the one spending the most time in the company of a lady.”
“Not true,” his brother shot back. “Sterling and Letty …”
“Are getting married whether any of us like it or not. Personally, I’m happy for Sterling.”
“I am too.” Phileas leaned against the wall. “And I am spending a lot of time with Dora. We have things to discuss. This isn’t a two-bedroom house, you know. This is a project of monumental proportions.”
“So you keep telling everyone,” Conrad reminded him. “But spending a lot of time with a woman can lead to things. Just look at Sterling and Letty.”
“That’s Sterling’s problem. Can any of us help it if he was caught by Letty’s charms?”
“Letty’s, or Apple Blossom’s?” Conrad shot back.
Phileas came away from the wall. “All right, so the town is … whimsical. And charming.” He started down the hall. “And in need of a savior.”
Conrad sighed. “Or saviors, plural.”
CHAPTERTWELVE
“It’s not that I don’t trust him, Pa,” Cassie said. “It’s … oh, tarnation. I don’t trustme!” She drew her legs up and stared at her father’s headstone. “He makes me feel all funny inside and I … I like it.” Her cheeks grew hot, and she shut her eyes tight. Just saying it was embarrassing. “I can only imagine what you think.”
She sighed, stretched out her legs and shook her head. “I can’t let myself be around him, not if this is going to happen. I hardly slept a wink last night on account I couldn’t get the man out of my head. Is that how it was with you and Ma? I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if he was all discombobulated when he got around me. But he isn’t. He’s polite and all but he’s English. They’re all polite. Even if he was getting addle-pated, I couldn’t tell.”
She got to her feet, brushed off her skirt, then stared at the headstone. “I sure could use your advice, Pa. I’ve never had to deal with this before and I’m not sure what to do. If he was local, it would be another story. But he’s not from around here and doesn’t plan to be.”
She kissed her fingers like she always did, then placed them on the headstone. “Good bye, Pa, I’ll come by later this evening if I have time.”
She left the cemetery and headed for the sheriff’s office. Conrad would be at the house by now and she didn’t want to see him until she had to. Her heart was acting as if it had a mind of its own and she wasn’t sure what to do about it. If this kept up, she’d be in a real fix. Maybe a talk with Letty was in order. Her friend was in love – let her explain what it was like.
Cassie smiled, her mind made up, and continued to the office. Instead of going home at lunch, she’d ride out to Letty’s place and speak to her. She hoped she could give her some advice. Maybe this was just how attraction affected a person. But should it cause her to lose sleep? She didn’t have much of an appetite either. Was that part of it too?
She decided to make her rounds, then head to Letty’s. Some of the Darlings would be there but she didn’t care. She needed answers.
She did her rounds quickly then went to the livery to saddle Pa’s horse Ted. The horse needed the exercise, and she’d have to make a point to ride him more often. But Apple Blossom was so small, she didn’t need him to make her rounds. It was time to start visiting the outlying farms and ranches more frequently.
As she rode, she thought of Conrad, Billy, and their time fishing. She wanted to go again but didn’t think it a good idea. If spending that time with Conradhad her this out of sorts, what would spending more time with him do?
She arrived at Letty’s and didn’t see anyone, but heard hammering in the distance. After dismounting, she surveyed her surroundings, trying to find the source of the sound. In the distance she spied Sterling and some of his brothers fixing a fence. Letty wasn’t with them. Maybe she was inside.
Before she could check, she heard her name. “Cassie! What are you doing here?” Letty came down the porch steps just as Cassie turned. “I’m glad you are. I just made some cookies and could use some advice.”
Cassie approached. “You and me both.”
Letty stopped short. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
“No, I’m just … well, let’s go inside. I could use a few cookies too.” She followed Letty back to the house.
In the kitchen they sat at the table, each with a cup of coffee, the cookie jar between them. “All right, what is it?” Letty asked.
“You go first.” Cassie wasn’t sure how much she should say and needed time to think besides.
“Well, if you’re sure …”
“I am. Go ahead.”
Letty took a deep breath. “I think I’ll make a dress from the red velvet.”
