Page 61 of Kissing the Sheriff
“There goes my hope of a new career,” he said blandly.
She laughed and poured him a cup of coffee. “I’ll let this stew simmer. It should be ready when I get back.”
“Smells good.” Conrad peeked into the pot. “Looks good too.”
“Aw, I hate stew,” Billy groused. “Good thing I brought my own lunch.” He looked toward her larder. “Is the cookie jar in there?”
“Yes, but it’s practically empty,” she said. “I hope you brought your own.”
“I did.” He held up his sack.
Conrad patted his shoulder. “Very good. Let’s get started, shall we? Everything in the dining room needs to be moved outside.”
She watched him give orders to Phileas and Billy, and they got to work. Cassie smiled to herself. They were trying to do a good job and she appreciated it. She just wasn’t sure how to thank Conrad when they were done. Billy, she could bake a pie. Phileas, shower him with praise. But Conrad … she wanted to do something special to thank him.
She moved the stew to the other side of the stove to simmer, then left the kitchen. Outside in the backyard, the men were placing her dining chairs. “Will you get the table next?”
“Yes,” Conrad smiled warmly. “You’re leaving?”
“I am.” She watched Phileas and Billy go inside the house. “I’ll see you at lunch.”
“Fine.” He stuck his hands in his pockets and smiled at her. “I look forward to my deputizing.”
She gave him a lopsided smile. “I’ll try not to stab you when I pin on the star.”
“Please do. I mean don’t. Stab me, that is.”
She smiled again and turned to leave, forcing herself to not look back.This isn’t a mistake, this isn’t a mistake. He’s right, I shouldn’t go to Snake Canyon alone.
When she reached her office she tidied up, checked the cell area, then opened the top drawer of the desk. Two deputies’ badges were there, and she swallowed hard. Joseph Kirk and Seth Crawford both died along with Pa that day. She hoped pinning one on Conrad didn’t turn out to be a bad omen.
She took one out and put it in her skirt pocket, then left the sheriff’s office to make her rounds. Like every day, there was nothing out of place or out of the ordinary. When she checked the bank, Agnes was there being her usual cranky self. Mr. Featherstone didn’t come out of his office, and Rudolf Miller greeted her pleasantly as he helped Marybelle.
When she reached the hotel, she decided to go in and see what Dora was up to. She found her having coffee with Jean and discussing the dance. There was nothing unusual about that either. After having a cup, she dropped in on Etta at the blacksmith’s and livery and told her she’d be leaving that afternoon and would need Conrad’s horse too. Etta assured her she’d have both mounts saddled and ready to go.
Cassie walked to the end of town, down the lane through the south apple orchard and into the small residential area. Nothing was amiss, nothing suspicious going on. There never was. Except that one day …
She pushed the thought aside and returned to her office. It wasn’t time to go home yet, so she did what she usually did and went to visit Pa.
“Well, I’ve done it now,” she said to the headstone. “I’m going to make Conrad my deputy. If ever I’ve done something stupid, this is it.” She plopped onto the grassy ground. “What do you think?”
Of course, there was silence, not even the wind moving through the trees today. In fact, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. And it was warm. She’d have to make sure she filled her canteen before they left. “I like him, Pa. I don’t know why. Now that I think about it, he’s not someone you’d approve of. He’s a city fella, for one. Probably hasn’t worked a hard day in his life before coming here. At least he can ride a horse. I doubt he can shoot. But he’s handsome, so there’s that.”
She stared at her father’s headstone and sighed. “He’s articulate. Smart. I bet he reads a lot. I should let him borrow some of your books.” She plucked a nearby daisy and put it in her hair. “I’m sure he can dance. When the time comes, I’ll find out. If you’re allowed to watch things down here, then please watch that. I’d like to know how we look together.”
Her cheeks grew hot, and she touched one with the back of her hand. “I think I’m sweet on him, Pa. I didn’t want to be, I swear. It just sort of happened. Please don’t be disappointed. I don’t think he’s sweet on me, though. That’s what’s so hard about this. I shouldn’t have let myself start having feelings for him, but they just popped up. Like wildflowers. You walk through the meadow one day and there’s nothing. A few days later, they’re everywhere.”
She got to her feet, brushed off her skirt, then put her hands on her hips. “Well, I’m going to make him my deputy today. I’ll de-deputize him when he and his brothers leave. I hope you don’t mind. You had Joseph and Seth for the longest time. And don’t worry, he’s not getting paid. He was volunteered.” She thought of Phileas and smiled. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say he volunteered Conrad on purpose. Maybe he did.
“Well, I should make myself useful before heading home for lunch. I’m sure the canyon is safe. The driver of the stagecoach on the main road hasn’t heard anything about outlaws being in the area, so you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll have Conrad and we’ll both be on good horses. Etta’s taking good care of Ted. I think he misses you.”
She walked to the headstone, kissed her fingers and touched it. “See you later, Pa. Have a good day.” She left the cemetery and wondered, if anyone ever saw her, would they think she was loco? Would Conrad? Did he even know she spoke to Pa this way?
When she got back to town she returned to her office and sat. She was getting paid to watch over a town where nothing happened, save that one occasion that left Apple Blossom devastated. What would she do if outlaws returned and the same thing happened? The scoundrels spent the night, robbed the bank, then lit out of town as fast as they could. Would she gather a posse like Pa had and go after them?
She closed her eyes. Sometimes the thought gnawed at her. It was something that could happen anywhere at any time. “Well, then let it,” she said stubbornly. “If it does, I’ll be ready.”
Cassie checked her gun, grabbed some extra bullets and shoved them in her pocket, then unlocked the cabinet against the far wall. “Forgive me, Pa, but I’m going to loan Conrad your gun. I want to see how he can handle it.” She put the weapon in an old gunnysack she kept in a drawer, then headed home. She had to get the biscuits in the oven so they’d be done in time for lunch. That, and deputize Conrad Darling.
