Page 87 of Kissing the Sheriff

He had to admit, she was right. Agnes would try to listen to every word, if not wedge herself into the conversation. He walked to Lawrence, took the reins, then started after her again. At a much slower pace – Lawrence wasn’t too interested in the effort.

He watched her go into the sheriff’s office, then tied Lawrence to the hitching post outside. Inside Cassie was already sitting behind her desk. “Will you talk to me now?”

“Seems there’s nothing to talk about. You kissed me but didn’t mean to. It was nothing.” Her eyes were glued to the desk. “You should go help Phileas and Billy now.”

“I’d rather spend time with you,” he said softly. But he doubted she wanted to spend any time with him. When she didn’t say anything, that was all the clue he needed. “I am sorry. But I don’t regret it.”

Her head came up. “What?”

He gave her a smile. “You’re very kissable.”

She went crimson and got to her feet. “Get out.”

He nodded and left the office. If he kept talking, he’d just bury himself deeper. Maybe some time spent with Phileas and Billy would clear his head. If he was lucky, Phileas would whack him over the skull with a porch board or something.

When he reached Cassie’s house, Phileas and Billy had over half the dining room wallpapered. “I say, but this looks fantastic.”

“Thank you,” Phileas said. “I hope Cassie thinks so too.” He looked past Conrad to the parlor. “Where is she?”

Conrad pulled out a dining chair and sat. “At her office.”

Phileas returned to his work as Billy ran a brush over a section of wallpaper. “Billy has found he enjoys petting the wallpaper with the brush.”

“I am not petting it,” Billy blurted. “I’m brushing it like you showed me. You don’t pet wallpaper.”

Phileas smiled at Conrad and winked. “So, did you see Sterling?”

Conrad laughed. “Oh, yes.”

Phileas’ eyebrows shot up. “That doesn’t sound encouraging. What happened?”

Conrad glanced at Billy and back, nodded toward the kitchen, left the chair and headed that way. Phileas followed. Once they were out of earshot Conrad put his hands on his hips and shook his head in dismay. “I did something stupid.”

Phileas took his arm and led him out the back door. As soon as he closed it, he sighed dramatically. “Whatdid you do?”

“I kissed Cassie.”

“What?!”

“Yes, and Sterling saw.”

“No!” Phileas put his hand over his chest. “You got the lecture, didn’t you?”

Conrad shuddered. “Our brother’s getting more and more like Father every day. It’s frightening when you think about it.”

“What was it like?” Phileas asked.

“I just told you.”

“No, no. The kiss? Was it with everything?”

Conrad stared at him a moment. “What are you talking about?”

Phileas poked him in the chest. “Your heart, you ninny. Was it with everything you had in there? If so, then we might as well plan two weddings.”

Conrad laughed. “Let’s not jump to conclusions.”

“Oh, stop it. I’ve seen the way you look at Cassie. You fell for her within the first few days.”