Cassie made a point to show him the back of the badge. “I’ll pin this on now.” She grinned and made it look like she was going to stab him.
“Be gentle,” he squeaked.
Still grinning, she pinned the badge onto his shirt. “There, that looks fine. You can open your eyes now.”
He opened one, then the other. “Thank goodness that’s over.”
“Come now, brother,” Phileas said. “It wasn’t that bad.”
“No? You stand here while she threatens to gouge you with one of these.” He looked down at the badge.
“There’s a mirror in Pa’s room,” she reminded him.
“Oh, yes, of course.” He headed that way.
She smiled at Phileas, then followed. “Are you ready to head out?”
“Give me a moment,” he said when he reached the mirror. He turned left, then right. “It does look good, doesn’t it?” He faced her. “Does this mean I’ll need to carry a gun?”
“It does, but first I want to see what kind of shot you are. Did you still want to invite the captain along?”
“Why not? I’m sure he’d like a little adventure.”
“You have no idea.” She returned to the kitchen. “We’re off then. Phileas, will you take Billy home?”
“Certainly.” He put his hand on Billy’s shoulder. “Come along, then. Let’s knock on Mrs. Featherstone’s front door and hide. It will be great fun.”
“Phileas!” Cassie snapped. “Don’t you dare.”
Billy frowned. “Aw shucks.”
Phileas laughed, then steered Billy out of the kitchen.
“He wouldn’t have done it,” Conrad assured. “He’s too much a gentleman.”
She smiled, then handed him her father’s gun belt. “Put that on and let’s go. Etta was going to saddle our horses for us.”
“That’s nice of her.”
“That’s Etta.” She went out the back door. “The dining room looks good. I’m glad we decided to paint it yellow too.”
He closed the door behind them. “Yes, and with the right wallpaper and a white chair rail, it will be charming.”
“You should be an advisor with Phileas. In fact, between the six of you, you could have a nice business.”
He smiled. “I have my work cut out for me as it is, being your new deputy.”
“But it’s a volunteer position. No pay. How will you feed yourself?”
“Hmm. I’ll have to rely on your good charity.” He smiled again as they went to the front of the house and headed for the livery stable.
“Let’s ask Captain Stanley now,” she suggested. “That way if he wants to come, he’ll have time to saddle his horse.”
“Good idea. But is he here or in an orchard?”
“We’ll find out.” When they reached the saloon, they entered but saw no sign of him. Cassie went to the other side of the bar and through a door.
“Where does this lead?” Conrad asked.
