Page 55 of Kissing the Sheriff
“Through the front door. It was wide open. I saw no reason to knock.”
“It’s all right, Billy, I knew he was coming,” Conrad said.
Billy still looked suspicious. “Well, okay.” He turned to Conrad. “Is he going to paint too?”
“Yes. He’s here to help.”
Phileas looked at the paint. “Lovely color. Are you doing the entire room in yellow?”
“Any objections?”
“None. What are your plans for the dining room?” Phileas ran a finger down one wall then looked at it.
“Same color and then wallpaper. But I’m open to suggestions.”
Phileas turned a full circle and stopped. “Be right back.” He left.
“Where’s he going?” Billy asked and scratched his head.
“My guess is, the dining room, to try and picture it painted yellow with wallpaper.” He gave the paint a final stir then set the stick on a piece of old newspaper he’d found in the kitchen. “Billy, this paper’s from Bozeman. Did Captain Stanley bring it back?”
“He always brings one back. It’s how we find out things.” Billy picked up a brush. “Can I start now?”
Conrad got to his feet as Phileas re-entered the room. “A chair rail would look nice,” Phileas said. “It would separate the paint from the wallpaper.”
“Only if Woodrow Atkins can fashion one.” Conrad handed him a brush. “How long do you think it would take?”
Phileas crossed his arms and patted his elbow with one hand. “Let me see, we already have him busy making lantern poles for the dance. But we could at least get the room painted and wallpapered. Even after we’re gone, he could help Cassie put the chair rail up.”
Conrad smiled at his brother. “I can’t believe how much you enjoy this. What would Father and Mother say?”
“This is an expression of my good taste, nothing more. It’s not an exercise in working for a living.” Phileas took a brush, dipped it in the paint and got to work.
Conrad showed Billy what to do so he wouldn’t make a mess, then painted beside him. They worked in silence for a time, and he wondered what Cassie would make for lunch. That is, if she came home. He suspected she might not.She hadn’t come by while making her rounds. He hoped she was all right.
Between the three of them, they finished the room in no time. “It sure is brighter in here,” Billy said. “Smells too, even with the windows open.”
“It does indeed,” Conrad agreed. “But by the time Cassie gets home it won’t be as bad.”
“Should we put everything back now?” Billy asked.
“No, the paint has to dry,” Conrad said. “Let’s have some lunch.”
“But Cassie’s not here yet.” Billy ran from the room.
Conrad exchanged a look with Phileas and followed. They found him in the backyard. “What are you doing out here?” Conrad asked.
“I’m checking to see if Cassie’s coming. She always has lunch with us.” He studied the ground. “Where did I leave mine?”
Conrad and Phileas laughed. “Is he in the habit of losing his lunch?” Phileas asked.
“No, he guards it with his life.” He went to the dresser, opened the top drawer, and pulled out Billy’s sack of food. “Here you go.”
Billy smiled. “I forgot I put it in there for safekeeping.” He took the sack and ran back into the house.
Phileas laughed and slapped his leg. “That boy. I wouldn’t mind having one just like him.”
Conrad grinned. “Neither would I. He’s a delight. I think the captain had a lot to do with that. He should be back today.”
