Page 6 of Kissing the Sheriff

“A chicken sandwich if you still want one.” She headed for the door. “And maybe some tea.”

“Maybe?”

“I might be out.”

“Oh, I see. A tragedy, to be sure.” He placed a board where he wanted, then picked up the hammer. “You wouldn’t happen to have some pie, would you?”

“No.”

He sighed. “Right, then. I’ll have to see what Dora’s been up to in the kitchen.” He knelt and smiled at her. “Do you bake, or just point your gun at people?”

She stiffened. “Only when they give me a reason to. And yes, I bake.”

“Hmmm.” He placed a nail near one corner of the board and hammered it into place.

Cassie marched into the house and straight to the kitchen. She had a right mind to tell him she was out of chicken. What did he mean, point her gun at people? The nerve!

She made his sandwich and fought the urge to give it a liberal sprinkling of pepper. She eyed the grinder and bit her lip. Should she? She squeezed her eyes shut. “No, be polite. Wait until he’s done.” She opened her eyes, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She didn’t know why he affected her like this, and didn’t want to.

She wrapped his sandwich in a napkin, poured him a glass of water, then took his lunch to him. “Here.”

He got to his feet. “Thank you.” He took the sandwich and water and headed for the porch steps. “Care to join me?”

“What? Eat with you?”

He smiled. “Don’t sound so shocked, Sheriff. It’s a simple invitation. Or have you already eaten?”

“No.”

“Then join me.” He sat and started to unwrap the sandwich.

Cassie’s heart began to beat faster. What was wrong with her? She re-entered the houseto get her own lunch and brought it outside.

“There you are. Here, sit.” He scooted over.

She approached slowly. Why was she doing this? She didn’t know this man. But he was working on her house, so … She sat next to him, set her glass of water aside, then unwrapped her sandwich. “I wasn’t sure how much salt you wanted. My Pa always put a lot of salt on his food.”

“My palate is fond of simple things.”

“Your what?”

He looked at her. “Palate. My taste.”

“Oh, yes, of course.” Great, he used words she wasn’t used to. Would he think her a simpleton? She took a bite of sandwich.

“So, have you shot anyone with that thing?”

She choked and had to take a drink of water.

He gave her a gentle pat on the back. “If the question was inappropriate, I do apologize.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat (along with her food) and blinked a few times. “What …cough… kind of question is that?”

“I said I was sorry.” Another pat.

A tingle went up her spine and she fidgeted. “To answer your question, no.” She looked him in the eyes. “But I might consider it.”

He smiled. “I’ll try not to upset you, then.” He took another bite as his shoulders shook. Was he laughing?