Page 39 of Kissing the Sheriff

“If the captain lets us use tables from the saloon,” Dora said, “then we wouldn’t have to move any from the hotel. I know it’s not much further away, but anything to make setting up easier, I’ll do.”

“Agreed,” Alma said. “And maybe Mr. Atkins could cut some poles to hang lanterns from. He’s always got leftover pieces of lumber around.”

“Will you speak to him?” Letty asked.

Alma nodded.

“What about the food?” Cassie asked.

The women continued to make plans. Each family could bring a main dish and a dessert to the dance. They’d borrow tables from the saloon and, with any luck, chairs too. Cassie would speak to the captain when he returned from Virginia City. Alma would post something in the store and give everyone that came in to shop the details. Cassie could then go door to door and catch anyone Alma didn’t get to talk to.

“Well, this meeting was fruitful,” Dora said. She smiled at Letty. “We should be getting back. It’s almost lunchtime.”

“Yes, we have hungry men to feed.” Letty turned to Cassie and Alma. “Thank you. This will be a lot of fun for everyone.” She gave them a parting smile and she and Dora left the store.

“I’d better choose some fabric,” Alma said. “I have just enough time to make a new dress.” She headed for the fabric table. “What about you, Cassie?”

“What about me?”

“Aren’t you going to make something?”

She stared at the bolts of cloth. “I don’t know. I’d like to, but …”

“But what? You’re a good seamstress. You can make a dress in no time.”

“I have one of the Darlings working on my house,” she said lamely.

“That’s no excuse – you’ve always made time before.” Alma picked up a bolt of yellow gingham.

Cassie watched her, then the door. “I’d better go. I’ll come back later and look at fabric.”

“Don’t wait too long or all the pretty cloth will be gone.” Alma took the yellow gingham to the counter. “I’ll see you later.”

Cassie waved and left the store. She wanted to get home. Conrad was treating her to lunch and she didn’t want to be late.

CHAPTERNINE

“What do we need a blanket for?”

Conrad looked at Billy and sighed. “If you’re dining with a lady, you use a blanket.”

Billy cocked his head. “Lady?”

“Cassie,” Conrad said. “She may be your sheriff but she’s also a lady.”

“What’s the difference between a lady and Cassie?”

Conrad stood with an exasperated sigh. “None. Though most ladies don’t wear a gun belt.”

“But she’s sheriff. She has to carry a gun,” Billy said.

“I realize that, but … oh, never mind. Let’s put out the plates.” He took the plates he’d brought out earlier, set them on the blanket, then added silverware and napkins.

“It looks like a table,” Billy commented. “Only there’s no legs.”

“It does resemble one, doesn’t it?” Conrad said. “Now for the glasses.”

Billy made a face. “You sure are making a fuss over one lunch. Cassie doesn’t care if we eat outside or not.”