Page 80 of Kissing the Sheriff

“Sterling brought them out yesterday. He bought most of them,” Letty confessed.

Sterling sheepishly grinned and shrugged. “Can I help it if I like lemonade?’

“You’re not the only one,” Conrad said. “Next time, leave some for the rest of us.”

Cassie went up the porch steps. “How long have you two been sitting out here?”

“Too long,” Letty said with a smile. “We were discussing the wedding.”

Cassie grinned. “Good. When?”

“We were thinking, the day after the dance,” Letty told them. “In the evening. We wouldn’t want to disrupt Sunday morning service.”

“Of course not.” Cassie was still smiling. She was happy for her friend, yet sad for herself. She blinked back tears and glanced at Conrad. He too was smiling and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing she was. Was Letty leaving with them?

Conrad made a show of clearing his throat. “As Apple Blossom’s new deputy, I’m making the rounds with Sheriff Laine here. Is everything all right?”

Just peachy,” Sterling said. “You’re already proud of your new office, aren’t you?” He nodded at the badge on his chest.

“Yes.” Conrad rubbed it with his hand. “Shiny, isn’t it?”

Sterling laughed. “I heard Cassie beat you shooting.”

“Don’t believe everything you hear. I managed to hit a few things.” He polished the badge again.

“Big things?” Sterling teased.

Conrad mock-glared. “Tins, or cans as they say here in America.”

“He did quite well.” Cassie smiled at him, then forced herself to look at Letty.“How’s the dance planning progressing?”

“We haven’t met again. But Dora wants to get together tomorrow. Are you free?”

She glanced at Conrad. “I can have my deputy cover for me.”

“While I work on her house,” he added.

Sterling left his chair. “Who’s working there now?”

“Phileas and Billy,” Cassie said, then giggled. “They’re wallpapering.”

Sterling laughed. “I’ve heard Billy has an abject fear of wallpaper.”

“It’s gotten blown out of proportion,” Cassie said. “He likes the attention it gets him.”

“I’d say so,” Sterling said. “He ran into Irving and Oliver yesterday and told them all about the evils of the sticky, slimy stuff.”

Everyone laughed as Letty poured them each a glass of lemonade. “Are you making a dress?”

Cassie’s cheeks heated. “No. But I am helping Alma with hers.”

Letty smiled at the men, then pulled Cassie to the other end of the porch. “Why aren’t you making a dress?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t want to.”

“Youareplanning on dancing, aren’t you?”

Cassie let go a sigh. “I’m sheriff. I can’t partake the same way everyone else does. Pa never did.”