Page 7 of Kissing the Sheriff
“Of course, you needn’t worry yet,” she added. “I won’t shoot you until you’re finished working.”
“How considerate of you.”
“I know.” She reached for her water and tried to hide a smile.
He reached for his glass too. She had no idea if he was smiling again, his face was turned away.
They ate in silence a moment before he said, “Do be sure you shoot me through the heart. I’d hate to writhe in pain and cause a spectacle.”
“Heaven forbid.” She took the last bite of her sandwich and wiped her hands with the napkin. If she wasn’t careful, she’d start laughing. Did nothing faze this man?
Finished with his meal, he neatly folded his own napkin, then offered it to her. “Thank you for the food. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” She took his glass and stood. “I should be heading back to the sheriff’s office.”
“And I shall return to work.”
She stared at him a moment, unable to turn away. He had a casual air about him, as if he hadn’t a care in the world. She hadn’t felt like that since she was a child.
Cassie closed her eyes to break contact. When she opened them, she returned to the kitchen, set everything on the worktable, then marched out the back door.
* * *
Captain Stanley ran a tight ship,so when one of his crew got out of line, there could be dire consequences. “Lacey Crawford! What do you mean by bringing that stowaway?”
Lacey hugged her rag doll. “Sorry, Captain, but Mrs. Winkle wanted to come along.”
His hands went to his hips. “How can I call a secret meeting if you’re inviting strangers? Then it’s no secret no more.”
Lacey looked at her brother Flint, who could only shrug. Billy Watson did the same. She gulped and faced the captain. “But Mrs. Winkle is my doll. She can’t talk.”
He bent to get eye level with her. “That’s right. Dead men tell no tales.”
She held up Mrs. Winkle. One of the doll’s eyes (a black button) hung by a few loose threads. Her nose, mouth, and eyebrows had been embroidered into the fabric. Captain Stanley knew that Flint and Lacey’s mother Sarah had made the doll years ago for the child. “But she’s a doll,” the child whined.
“I know she’s a doll.” He scowled at Mrs. Winkle. “All right, she can stay. But she’ll have to take the minutes.”
Lacey’s eyes grew round as saucers. “Why?”
“Never mind,” Flint said out the side of his mouth.
Captain Stanley went to the crow’s nest’s railing. “Where’s the rest of the crew?”
“They’re coming,” Billy said. “Jandy, Cheyenne and Aubrey had to finish their chores. Alexander got in trouble and has to chop wood for his ma.”
He rolled his eyes with a groan. “Shore leave. I’ll never grant it again.” He faced the children. “Very well then, Mrs. Winkle will have to catch them up. This meeting is now in session.” He picked up a book and rapped it on a small barrel. “First order of business: the Englishmen.”
“You mean the Darlings?” Lacey asked. “I haven’t shown them Mrs. Winkle yet.”
He pointed at her. “Mrs. Winkle is supposed to be taking the minutes, remember? Now, those six lads can be a lot of help to us. Our job is to make sure they stay here. Is that understood?”
Billy raised his hand. “Permission to speak, Captain?”
“Granted. Stand up, lad, let’s hear it.”
Billy got to his feet. “Why do you want them to stay? All they’re doing is fixing things and painting and …”
“Billy,” the captain interrupted. “Have you noticed how many folks have left Apple Blossom?”
