Page 20 of Kissing the Sheriff

He reached the middle of the parlor and turned around. “I’ll be careful, you needn’t worry.” It was a simple piece of furniture, but the look on her face said it was so much more. He put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s all right if you return to work. We’ll handle things here.”

Her eyes darted to his hand, then she nodded. “I’ll go.” She left the parlor and went outside.

Conrad sighed and went to fetch the broom. If she was this way about her father’s chair, what was she going to be like when they cleaned his room?

CHAPTERFIVE

At the end of the day, there was no sign of Cassie. Conrad took Billy to the hotel, got him cookies as promised, then walked the boy home, where Mrs. Watson was sitting on the porch swing with Mr. Watson. “Hello there,” Conrad called.

Billy ran up the front walk. “Ma, Pa! Guess what?”

Mr. Watson left the swing. “What have you done?”

Billy came to a stop. “Aw shucks, Pa, just because I have something to tell you doesn’t mean I’m in trouble.”

His father folded his arms. “Except it usually does. Now what is it?”

“Mr. Darling says I’ll get paid for my work and I’m going to work with him every day!” Billy spun to Conrad. “Isn’t that right?”

Conrad shrugged apologetically. “With your permission, of course. I hope you don’t mind, but he did work hard today so I offered him a job.”

Mr. Watson started to chuckle. “Do you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into?”

Billy grinned and ran into the house.

Conrad watched him go. “I have an idea.”

“Was he all right?” Mrs. Watson asked.

“He was. He’s talkative, but he asks good questions. I notice he asks how something’s done before trying to do it himself.”

“We’ve tried to teach him,” Mr. Watson said. “We’ve all done things, thinking we knew how, with disastrous results.”

Conrad nodded. “I can’t argue with that. Is all right if he joins me tomorrow?”

“Certainly,” Mrs. Watson said. “I’ll pack him another lunch.”

“I gave him some cookies from the hotel,” Conrad confessed. “He gobbled them up before he got here. I hope that’s all right.”

Mrs. Watson shook her head and smiled. “That’s Billy for you.”

Conrad tipped his hat. “I’ll see you in the morning.” They said goodbye and he headed for the hotel. When he arrived, Dora was in the kitchen with Jean Campbell. “Evening, ladies.”

“Conrad,” Dora said. “It’s about time you got here. Have you heard the news?”

“Is this regarding the dance?” He went to the table and sat.

Jean, who was tossing a salad, stopped and brought the bowl to the table. “It is. Who did you hear it from?

“Cassie. As I understand, it was Alma’s idea.” He eyed the salad. “What’s for dinner?”

“Men,” Dora said. “They all think with their stomachs.” She lifted the lid off a huge pot on the stove.

“Don’t tell me.” He held up his hands. “Beef stew.”

Dora gave the pot a stir. “However did you guess?” She replaced the lid. “By the way, Sterling wanted to speak to you about something.”

“He can tell me at dinner.” Conrad settled into the chair and watched the women a few moments. “Where is everyone anyway?”