Page 48 of Kissing the Sheriff
Her cheeks heated again. “Oh, that’s right. Sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s nothing to apologize for.”
She nodded and looped her arm through his.
It was exhilarating and frightening at the same time to be walking down the street with Conrad this way. Thank Heaven Agnes was nowhere in sight. She and Mr. Featherstone were probably sitting down to dinner about now, as was the rest of Apple Blossom. They didn’t pass a soul, and when they reached the hotel she breathed a sigh of relief.
“That bad, was it?” Conrad quipped.
She looked at him with a hint of alarm. “It’s not what you think.”
He let go of her arm. “You wouldn’t be the first one that didn’t want to be seen with me. But I guarantee, your reputation will not be sullied.”
Her eyes went wide. “Good to know.” She turned toward the dining room. Good heavens, had he sullied someone’s reputation? She hoped not! Especially considering her heart was pounding, her belly was doing somersaults, and a delicious tingle was going up her spine.
“Oh, look, here come the rest.” Conrad nodded at the hotel doors as Sterling and their brothers filed through.
“Sheriff Laine,” Sterling said. “Don’t tell me Conrad is in trouble?”
Oliver entered behind him. “Conrad, did she have to escort you here?”
“On the contrary,” Conrad shot back. “I escorted her. I asked her to dine with us.” He focused on Phileas. “We want to tell Phileas our decorating ideas.”
“Do tell?” Phileas shoved past the others. “When do I start? The wallpaper I ordered for the hotel won’t be here for another week.”
“So you have time.”
Phileas grinned. “I do. What will we be doing?”
“You can have him for a few days, Cassie,” Dora called from the dining room. “Then I want him back.”
Cassie smiled at Phileas and Conrad. “Excuse me.” Before they could answer, she went over to Dora.
“What are you doing here?” Dora asked. “Or did Conrad invite you?”
“I guess you didn’t hear that part.” She looked at the tureen of chicken and dumplings. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not. Have a seat.” Dora continued setting the table.
Cassie sat and watched the Darling brothers speak to each other in the lobby. She was surprised Letty wasn’t with them. But she had stock to feed and evening chores. Or maybe she just needed some time to herself. She sighed and stared at the table. If she were smart, she’d do the same. After all, what good could come of spending so much time with Conrad Darling?
CHAPTERELEVEN
Cassie couldn’t sleep. Dinner had been pleasant enough, but now she couldn’t stop thinking about Conrad. It was annoying. His face popped into her head, his smile, those blue eyes, his laugh …
She tossed and turned until she sat up with a groan. “For Pete’s sake.” She got out of bed, went to the window and looked out. “What am I going to do?” It was a good question. Maybe a cookie would help her think. She lit a candle and left her room.
Downstairs in the kitchen she lit a lantern, got her cookie and sat at the kitchen table. She’d never had a man invade her mind like this and wasn’t sure if it was normal or not. Did Letty have the same experience? But Letty was in love. Naturally she’d be thinking about Sterling all the time.
She took a bite and chewed. She had to do something or she’d never get to sleep. Maybe she should take a walk. She went to the window and peeked out. The moon was bright and there was a clear sky, but she wasn’t sure about venturing out by herself. Still, she was sheriff, and venturing into the dark was something she was supposed to be able to do.
She went upstairs, put on her shoes, pulled a skirt on, wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and headed out. On the front porch she stood near the stairs and stared at the empty moonlit street. She lived on the edge of town and couldn’t see much from here. If she walked a couple hundred feet, she could look down the main street and see everything. “Oh, what’s the point?” Still, it might help. She left the porch.
When she reached the main street, she studied the buildings in the moonlight. She wished Conrad was with her. Maybe he’d enjoy a moonlit stroll. She looked at the night sky. It was brilliant with stars, the air cool with a hint of dampness. Would it rain later? She walked past the Featherstones’ and glanced at the bank on the other side of the street and down a couple of buildings.
Soon she was standing in front of the sheriff’s office. The saloon was across the street, and next to it the hotel. A couple doors down on her side of the street was the general store. Apple Blossom might be small, but it wasn’t as small as some towns she’d heard of.
She sat on the bench outside the sheriff’s office and noticed a few lights in the second-story windows of the hotel. Some of the Darlings were still up. Were they reading? And was Conrad one of them?
