Page 19 of Kissing the Sheriff

“Is that good or bad?” Cassie asked.

He made a show of biting his lower lip.

“I’ll take that as really bad.” She smiled again. “Hmmm, maybe I will shoot you.”

“What?!” He brushed crumbs from his shirt. “I break my back working on this place and now you wish to be rid of me like an old plow horse. The least you can do is turn me out to pasture.”

“Yeah, Cassie,” Billy said. “He worked hard to get your back porch done before you got home.”

She swallowed hard, her eyes flicking between them. “I see. Well, I suppose he can live another day.”

Conrad sank in his chair, his hand over his heart. “Thank goodness.” He winked at Billy, who winked back.

“You two,” she said playfully. At least she looked better now, not so melancholy.

Conrad straightened. “Which room would you like me to see to first?”

She looked toward the dining room. “I’ll have to think about it.”

“Don’t think too long,” he advised. “I’ve only so much time.”

“We could go fishing tomorrow and you can think about it then,” Billy said.

Cassie smiled. “I have to work.”

Billy pouted. “Take a long lunch.”

“You know that won’t work on me.” Cassie looked toward the dining room again and the parlor beyond. “I suppose you could start in the parlor. Just … don’t do anything to my father’s chair.”

“The dusty one?” Conrad said with raised eyebrows. “It needs a good cleaning.”

She blushed with embarrassment. “I know …”

“Cassie,” he said gently. “I understand. But at least let me clean it.”

She nodded and said nothing.

Billy left his chair and headed for the parlor. “Where is it?”

“The chair?” Conrad asked.

“Yeah, I can clean it.”

“I think it’s best we take it outside.” He joined Billy in the parlor and together they got the chair onto the front porch.

“Now what do we do?” Billy asked.

“I suppose we beat it as one does a rug.” Conrad patted the arm of the chair and a small cloud of dust rose. “See?”

“Ma has a stick she uses.” Billy made a face. “Makesmeuse.”

Conrad laughed. “I was wondering if you’d confess to that.”

“Didn’t you hate cleaning the rugs when you were small?” Billy asked.

Conrad forced a smile. “It was a chore, to be sure.” He remembered seeing one of the scullery maids doing it and thought it a splendid way to take out one’s anger. He caught Cassie staring at him and smiled. “Well, I’m sure we can find something to beat the dust out of this chair.” He headed for the door. “Have you a broom?”

“In the larder,” she said and followed. “Please be careful with it. Don’t tear the fabric.”