Page 77 of Kissing the Sheriff

She gaped at him. “I will not stab you.”

“You can’t guarantee that,” he said. “You don’t know anything about fencing yet.”

“And the captain?” she asked as she followed him outside.

He headed down the boardwalk, not waiting for her.

“Conrad?”

He turned around. “I’d rather he not hear us,” he said quietly.

“Why not?”

He glanced at the saloon as she caught up. “He fights like he’s spent a lot of time in the infantry or navy.” Conrad started walking again. “Has he ever mentioned it?”

“Not that I know of. Why?”

“He’s got a barrel full of cutlasses. He called it booty, but if he was in the navy back then, he wouldn’t have been allowed to keep them.”

“Maybe he and some other sailors took them as souvenirs.”

“I doubt it.” He stopped in front of the hotel. “I’m not implying anything bad about the captain. It’s just strange, that’s all.”

She nodded, unable to come up with a plausible explanation why Captain Stanley would be in possession of such weaponry. “Best not tell anyone. If you give me some lessons, then we’d better have them where no one will see us. I don’t want people …” She rolled her eyes. “… make that Agnes, causing the captain trouble. He’s done a lot for Apple Blossom and …”

Conrad held up his hand as his eyes locked on hers. “It’s all right. I’ll not say a word. We can either practice in the saloon for find some other place.” He continued to gaze at her.

Her belly grew warm again and the rest of her soon followed. “We … should go.”

“Yes.” But he didn’t move.

“Now.”

“Oh, of course.” He smiled, then turned around. “Where to?”

“Let’s get our horses and ride out to Letty’s place, then check on the other farms and ranches.”

“Sounds good.” Conrad started to cross the street.

Cassie watched him go, took a deep breath and glanced at the saloon down the street. Even though the captain had been in Apple Blossom for a few years, he was still full of surprises.

* * *

Gad,but he wanted to kiss her!

Conrad watched Cassie out of the corner of his eye as they headed for the livery stable. When they got there, Etta was shoeing a horse. Thank Heaven for distractions. It wasn’t everyday one saw a petite raven-haired woman shoe a huge horse. “My, but he’s a big fellow.”

Etta put the horse’s rear right hoof down. “This is Walter. He belongs to Chester Smythe.”

“Ah yes. I’ve already met Sally,” Conrad stated.

“She’s his other plow horse. He uses Walter for logging and loans him out to Mr. Atkins.” Etta’s hands went to her hips. “Need your horses?”

“Yes,” Cassie said. “But we’ll saddle them.” She headed for the stall area.

“They’re in the corral out back,” Etta called.

Conrad noted a door at the other end of the livery stable. Cassie was heading straight for it. The corral must be just outside.