Page 24 of Kissing the Sheriff

Cassie burst out laughing. “You didn’t!”

“No, only because I would have hit my head on the ceiling.” He laughed and kept walking. “Don’t worry, we were quite cautious with a family heirloom.”

Cassie’s belly was doing triple somersaults now. But what did it matter? Conrad and his brothers would be leaving, most likely after the dance. Whether or not Letty left with them was the big mystery. And what if Sterling stayed? It was clear he and Agnes didn’t get along. Would Agnes make everyone else miserable because of it?

When they reached the saloon, Cassie took a few deep breaths.

“What are you doing?” Conrad asked.

“Preparing myself. It’s the captain, you know.” She knocked on the door jamb, then went through the saloon doors. “Captain?”

“Aye, Sheriff,” Captain Stanley called from behind the bar.

She looked at Conrad. “Have you been in here yet?”

His eyes had rounded to saucers at the nautical décor. “I dare say I haven’t.”

She smiled. “Come along, then. You’ll have a real treat.”

Captain Stanley came around the bar then put his hands on his hips. “Well?”

Cassie saluted him. “Permission to come aboard, Captain?”

He looked Conrad over. “Granted.”

Cassie stood to attention. “There’s a load of apples ready, Captain”

“Is there, now? Fine.” He approached and walked a circle around Conrad. “Aye, you’ll do.”

“For what?” Conrad asked with a hint of worry.

“He wants you to help him load the apples,” Cassie said to reassure him.

Conrad sighed in relief. “Oh, yes, I can do that.” He began to look around. “My, what a place you have here.”

Captain Stanley grinned. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”

Conrad exchanged a quick look with her. “Do I have time to see a few things?”

Cassie smiled. “You do.” She patted him on the back. “Have fun.” Then she laughed, knowing full well that the captain was going to have alotof fun with Conrad.

CHAPTERSIX

Conrad watched Cassie disappear through the saloon doors, then faced the captain. “So this is your place?”

Captain Stanley eyed him. “Ever been to sea, lad?”

“As a matter of fact, yes. And will again in about six weeks.” He looked at the nets hanging from the walls, the wicked-looking harpoons and other seafaring paraphernalia. There was even a ship’s wheel mounted at the center of the bar. He could just picture the captain behind it, barking orders to invisible crewmen.

“Six weeks, you say?” The captain rubbed his bearded chin. “Until you return to England?”

“Yes, sir.” Conrad noticed the stairs leading to the second story. The saloon was bigger than it looked, and he wondered how many rooms were upstairs. “You, um, have quite a place here.” He studied the huge mirror behind the bar, and then the mermaids. Lots of mermaids. “Good heavens.”

“What was that, lad?” Captain Stanley got nose to nose with him. “Speak up!”

“I … noticed you’re fond of, that is, have a nice … collection of …”

“Of what?” the captain barked.