Page 3 of Kissing the Sheriff
He smiled again. “Then I think it’s time you make thisyourhouse. I’ll help you.”
She stared at him a moment. She didn’t know what to say. By the time this man and his brothers were through with Letty’s place, it looked almost magical. “I hate to admit this, but I think my house is worse.”
“By far, but that won’t stop us.” Conrad was still smiling. “When can we start?”
Cassie sighed. She might as well let the Darlings have a crack at things. Lord knows Pa never did. “You can start now.” She brushed past him. “I’m going to work.”
* * *
Conrad couldn’t believe it.Sheriff Laine had left him alone in her house? Well, things could be worse – she could have kicked him to the dusty street and told him never to come back. Thank goodness she hadn’t. She was pretty with her auburn hair and gray eyes. Even better, she was spunky and spoke her mind. In other words, a challenge.
He squared his shoulders. “No, no, old boy. You’re trying to change your ways, remember?” He carried the bucket of tools he’d brought to the front porch. He didn’t feel right working inside when she wasn’t there. What if she accused him of stealing? Was that her plan? She didn’t seem happy to see him, but had at least showed him around.
He looked at the sorry state of the porch, then thought of the interior of the house. “Phileas will be appalled.” If anything, he was liable to run the other way.
Conrad looked at his list, then headed for the general store. He’d get a few little things he knew he needed before speaking with Woodrow Atkins at his sawmill. Then he’d have to see if he could borrow Letty’s wagon.
Letty. He sighed as he made his way down the street. It was no secret now that Sterling, his eldest brother was in love with Letty Henderson and had asked her to marry him. Yet Sterling was the next Viscount Darlington. This of course made Irving, second in line, nervous as a cat. If Sterling should decide he wanted to stay in Apple Blossom (Heaven forbid) then the title and all that went with it fell to Irving.
Irving wasn’t as prepared to take over the estate and title and everything else that went with it. Being the practical one in the bunch, he would want everything perfect before accepting such a mantle, and that could take years.
There was no use worrying about it now. He and his brothers knew that Sterling was waiting to see what Letty wanted. He loved her that much. And in such a short time too! Conrad still couldn’t believe it. What he could believe was that the town still thought they were courting. The couple hadn’t announced their engagement yet.Agnes Featherstone, the town gossip, was having a hard enough time with the courting!
He chuckled at the thought and entered the general store. “Afternoon, Alma.” He went to the counter and smiled at the young woman. Her bright red hair was in braids wrapped around her head.
“Mr. Darling, how nice to see you. Your brother was just here.” Alma Kirk scooped coffee from a barrel into a sack and put in on a scale.
“Phileas?” With five brothers, it never hurt to check.
“Yes, he just ordered some wallpaper for the hotel.” She gave a nod at the Sears & Roebuck catalogue on the counter. “Would you like to see?”
“No, thank you. I’d like some hinges for a cupboard.” He glanced about. “Not very big, small …”
“They’re with the other hinges in the back by the nails.”
“Thank you.” He headed that way.
Alma followed. “Your other brother was in too. He bought a dress.”
Conrad faced her. “Sterling?”
Alma winked and nodded.
“My dear woman, if my brother wants to buy a gift for Letty, it’s no concern of mine.”
“It’s powder blue with white lace. I told him she’ll look good in it.”
Conrad smiled, nodded, and continued to the back of the store. Agnes Featherstone was apparently not the only town gossip.
Alma followed. “Whose house are you working on?”
He stopped again with a sigh and turned around. “The sheriff’s.”
“Cassie’s?” She whistled long and low.
His eyebrows shot up. “Should I be worried?”
She made a face. “Maybe a little. She’s liable to shoot you if you do something wrong.”
