Page 21 of Kissing the Sheriff
“Picking apples. It’s that time,” Jean said. “The harvest has begun.”
“It has?” He sat straighter. “But you said it wasn’t for another couple of weeks.”
“I said nothing of the kind.” Dora went to the hutch and started taking out bowls. “You have to remember, Conrad, there are different apple trees here. Some ripen before others.”
“Which orchard then?”
“The one behind the general store.”
“General store? That entire side of the street has an orchard behind it. It’s across from Billy’s house and a few others.”
Jean smiled. “Yes, and guess what poor little Billy will be doing after supper?”
“Seems the lot of us will be picking with him. But that’s all right.”
Dora brought a stack of bowls to the table. “You don’t mind picking apples after working on Cassie’s house all day?”
“Not at all. It’s a lovely evening and it would be nice to talk with each other, don’t you think?”
Dora fetched some silverware next. “As a matter of fact, it would. I need to speak to your brother about the wallpaper. I think he ordered too much.”
“Has he done this sort of work before?” Jean asked.
Conrad tried to hide a smile by brushing his hand against the side of his mouth. “Phileas loves beautiful things. Art, music, literature. And he likes to make beautiful things. Have you seen his sketchbook?”
Dora and Jean exchanged a look. “No. Where does he keep it?” Dora asked.
“I couldn’t say. It’s probably tucked away in his room somewhere. Ask him about it. He loves to show off his work. But I admit, I’ve not seen him sketching lately.”
Dora brought the silverware to the table and placed it in a bowl. “That’s my fault. I’ve been busy showing him all the things in the hotel I want fixed. I think I’ve overwhelmed him.”
Conrad took in her worried expression. “Fear not. Phileas is resilient. And proud. This hotel will forever be a reflection on him, so he’ll give you his best effort.”
Dora sighed in relief. “Thank you, Conrad. That’s good to know.” She picked up the bowls and silverware and disappeared through the kitchen door.
Jean opened the oven. “I can’t wait for your brothers to work on my place.” She took out a pan of biscuits and put it on the worktable. “Who’s going to help me?”
Conrad sighed. “I couldn’t say. Oliver or Wallis, perhaps. For now, we’re taking on a couple places at a time. Sterling and some of the others are still working on Letty’s, and as soon as Cassie’s is done we’ll move onto Sarah Crawford’s.”
“I think Sarah is nervous about your brothers helping her.” Jean waved a hot pad over the biscuits. “She doesn’t have much and might be embarrassed.”
Conrad’s heart pinched. “There’s no need to be. Your town has been through a lot, Jean. No one blames you if anyone is out of sorts.”
“That’s generous of you, Conrad. Thank you.” She started removing biscuits from the pan and putting them in a bowl.
Conrad left his chair and went into the dining room where Dora was setting the big table. “Shall I try to find the others?”
“No need, they’ll show up as soon as they realize it’s dinner time.”
“Well, then, I’ll go out back and wash up.” He cut through the kitchen to the pump outside, splashed water on his face and washed his hands. It was peaceful, quiet, and there was a tang in the air that hinted at autumn’s approach. Would Sterling stay in Apple Blossom? He hadn’t given any of them an answer yet. Yes, Sterling and Letty would wed, but would she come to England with them? He hoped so. It would alleviate the suspense. Poor Irving was on pins and needles.
By the time he returned to the dining room, Sterling, Oliver, and Wallis were speaking with Dora. “There you are, brother,” Sterling said. “Where are Irving and Phileas?”
“I haven’t the foggiest. I thought they were with you.”
“No matter, they’ll show up. In the meantime, we heard about the dance.”
Conrad laughed. “You want to speak to all of us about that?”
