Page 75 of Kissing the Sheriff

“What do you think, lad? Sabers and cutlasses. Got them off a band of pirates back in ’67.”

He smiled. “Is that so?”

“Don’t believe me?”

Conrad heard the challenge in his voice. “Er, how long were you at sea?”

“Since I was a lad. Started out as a cabin boy for Captain Charles McSweeny.”

“Your horse?”

“No! I named my horseafterthe man.” The captain rolled his eyes. Even in the dim light Conrad could tell he was annoyed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you’d never been to sea …”

“I know,” Captain Stanley said, cutting him off.

Cassie returned with a lit lantern and handed it to Conrad, who held it up.

Captain Stanley rubbed his hands together. “There, now we’re in business.” He pulled off the lid.

“Great Scott!” Conrad said. “Look at all of those swords.”

The captain gave him a smug look. “Told you. Pirates.” He reached into the barrel and pulled out a cutlass. “Will this do, lad?”

Conrad stared at it in open-mouthed shock. “How many pirates did you say?”

“I didn’t. And at this point, I can’t remember. Suppose we’ll have to count the swords to find out.”

Conrad turned to Cassie, still in shock. “I suppose so.”

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

Cassie watched in fascination as Captain Stanley removed several cutlasses from the barrel. “How long did you say you’ve had these?”

He smiled at her, a hint of wildness in his eyes. She tried to picture him as a younger man sailing the high seas, battling pirates and having adventures. When it came down to it, she and the rest of Apple Blossom didn’t know the captain well. They only knew what he wanted them to.

“Since ‘67,” he said, eyes bright. “I considered this part of the booty.”

“Booty?” Conrad said. “And only part?”

“Oh, aye.” Captain Stanley winked. “Let’s take these out there.” He handed two cutlasses to Conrad and kept one for himself.

Cassie followed them into the main part of the building. “I wish Pa could see this.”

“No, lass. You’ll wish he could seethis!” With a flourish, Captain Stanley twirled the cutlass a few times then sliced the air in rapid movements.

Conrad’s eyebrows shot up in alarm. “Just for the record, I am not a pirate. Is that understood?”

“Oh, aye, lad,” the captain said, his wild-eyed look more pronounced. “Show me what you’ve got.”

Conrad’s eyebrows rose even further. He smiled nervously at Cassie. “Don’t judge me on my swordplay.”

“Is it as bad as your shooting?” She grinned. He was a fair shot, but she couldn’t help teasing him.

He mock-glared. “That’s enough out of you.” He set one of the cutlasses on a nearby table and faced the captain. “A moment, please.”

Captain Stanley grinned devilishly. “Take all the time you need, lad.”