Page 79 of Kissing the Sheriff
“Are you riding out to Letty’s?” Etta called.
Conrad jerked and stumbled forward. Cassie jumped out of the way just in time. “Did you trip?”
His shoulders slumped. “Did I not mention my talent for falling over just standing still? How silly of me.” He smiled, picked up her saddle and put it on Ted. He cinched it up then saddled his own horse. Nameless. Maybe that’s what he should call him. No, too boring. Nameless Ned? No, that wouldn’t do either.
They led their horses outside, mounted and headed out of town. He said little, embarrassed by his actions. Had she known he was about to kiss her? He didn’t know and wasn’t sure he wanted to. He had to rein himself in and not make any amorous advances toward her. They were leaving, after all, and he didn’t want to leave Cassie with a broken heart.
So far, he’d been able to keep himself from doing something stupid. Like a moment ago. But it was getting harder and harder, and he wasn’t sure he could hold out. He had never experienced anything like this before and liked it. This had nothing to do with attraction or lust, but with wanting to make her happy, and when he did, he was happy. Father tried to explain it to him once, but he wouldn’t listen. Kissing made him happy, having a pretty woman on his arm at balls and parties made him happy. Not having to worry about being entangled in some silly betrothal made himexceedinglyhappy.
But all that was changing. What if …gulp… he fell in love? Hadn’t Phileas hinted at such? Look what happened to Sterling!
“You’re unusually quiet,” Cassie remarked.
“Am I? I hadn’t noticed.”
“That’s because you’re not talking,” she said dryly.
“I was thinking about the house,” he lied. “I hope Billy and Phileas are getting along all right.”
“Don’t worry, Billy will take good care of your brother,” she said with a smile.
Conrad laughed. “That’s good to know. Phileas needs someone to take care of him.”
“Are you joking?” she asked.
“Not really. He’s a free spirit, as most artists are. Phileas might walk into a den of thieves without realizing it. And all because he wanted to sketch them.”
She giggled. “Oh, dear. So, you’re telling me he has no discernment?”
“I wouldn’t say that. But when Phileas sees something shiny, he chases it.”
“I see. And what about you? What do you chase?”
She would ask that. ”Ask my brothers, and they would tell you women. In fact, I’m sure one of them already has.”
She looked straight ahead, her smile fading.
“I thought so. Well, which one?”
She sighed and looked at him. “Irving.”
“Don’t tell me, let me guess.” He gave her a big smile. “I’m a horrible rake, women are not but trophies to me. Oh, and I have a different one every week, and at every party, ball and …”
“He didn’t get into that.” She looked straight ahead again. “But he did say you were changing your ways. Is that true?”
He looked at her as their horses plodded along. “Yes. It is.”
She slowly smiled as she sat straighter the saddle. “Good.” She gave Ted a nudge and he broke into a trot.
“All right, Nameless Nag, Move. Catch up. I’m finally winning the fair maiden and you’re doing nothing about it.” Conrad thought a moment as he watched Cassie get farther away. “She did seem pleased at my answer, didn’t she?” He smiled. “Well then, lazy Lawrence, let’s be off.” He gave Lawrence (yes, that was a good name) a little kick and he slowly broke into a trot. Then it was back to a walk. After another kick, a trot. At this rate he’d never catch up. It was just as well. If he did, he’d want to kiss her. He was going to have to fix that.
Problem was, he didn’t want to.
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
When they reached Letty’s, they found her on the porch sipping lemonade with Sterling. Letty left her chair and headed for the porch steps. “Cassie, Conrad, what are you doing here? Want some lemonade?”
“Sure,” Cassie called. She steered Ted to the hitching post, dismounted, and wrapped the reins around it. Conrad caught up and did the same. “I didn’t see any lemons at Alma’s.
