Page 60 of Kissing the Sheriff
“And me,” Phileas added.
“I probably won’t be here, so I guess it doesn’t matter.” She took the pot back to the stove and set it down.
Again, she didn’t sound sad so much as evasive. “Will you be here for lunch tomorrow?”
She looked at them but didn’t leave the stove. “That depends. I have rounds, you know. I should ride out and check … the …” She shrugged. “… the canyon.”
“Canyon?” Phileas said. “But the only canyon around here is Snake Canyon. Isn’t that where … you know.” He raised his eyebrows at her.
“Yes, where the incident took place. No one’s been through there for quite some time. I should investigate. It’s my duty as sheriff.”
“Is it your duty to go alone?” Conrad glanced at Phileas. “Some of us could go with you.”
“That won’t be necessary. Besides, I’m the law around here.” She returned to the table and sat.
“You’renotgoing alone,” Conrad stated.
She stiffened. “And who are you to tell me what to do?”
“Well, if you’re all that worried, Conrad, then why don’t you have her deputize you?”
They gaped at Phileas. “What?” Cassie blurted.
“That’s a good idea.” Conrad smiled at her. “Deputize me. Then if we run into outlaws and I have to make some arrests, I’m able to do it.”
Her jaw went slack. “I’m not going to make you my deputy.”
“I think you should,” Phileas said. “Besides, if you run into outlaws and have to shoot them, then Conrad can be your witness.”
“I don’t need a witness!”
“Yes, but considering the nature of the incident, people might argue that you were being vengeful and shot one or more in cold blood. With Conrad there as a witness, and an unbiased one at that, your innocence will be secured.”
Conrad smiled at him. “Have you ever considered going into law, brother?”
“Me? A lawyer? Don’t make me shudder.” He took a sip of coffee and shuddered anyway.
Conrad laughed and turned back to Cassie. “I’d like to go with you. I want to see the canyon.”
She looked him up and down. “Is that all you want to see?”
“The incident happened months ago. I’m sure any sign of it has been washed away by rain and wind, leaving no trace.” He looked her in the eyes. “Besides, sheriff or no, no one should go into that canyon alone.”
Cassie drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Oh, very well. After lunch I’ll deputize you. Then we’ll ride out to the canyon.”
Conrad smiled. “Jolly good.” He took a huge bite of his cookie. Deputy or no, he wasn’t letting her go alone.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
The next day Cassie rose early, started some stew, then waited for Conrad and Billy to show up. She’d make biscuits come lunchtime. They could eat, then head to the livery. She hadn’t been to Snake Canyon in months. She didn’t like going there but knew it had to be inspected now and then. The last thing she wanted was a passel of outlaws deciding it was a good year-round hideout. Though as it was a box canyon, there was little chance of that – there was only one way in and out.
Conrad, Billy, and Phileas showed up and went straight to the kitchen. “Sleep well?” Conrad asked.
She added some carrots to the pot. “I did. Better than the other night.” Much better, in fact. She knew she’d be spending time with him today. It was silly, the whole deputy thing, but the thought of having him work with her, even for what little time he had left in Apple Blossom, was so appealing, she couldn’t resist doing it. “I’ll dig up the deputy’s star while I’m at the office.”
“Did your father have deputies?” Conrad asked.
“A couple, but they were volunteer.” She smiled at him. “So are you.”
