“This is beautiful, rugged country,” Conrad said as he surveyed the landscape. “I still wonder who planted the apple orchards surrounding your little hamlet.”
“It’s a mystery, to be sure,” Captain Stanley said. “Some mysteries should remain as they are. Sometimes the answer isn’t what you wanted to know.”
Conrad glanced at Cassie. “What do you think?”
“I agree with the captain. At this point none of us question how the apples trees got there. They just are.”
Conrad sighed, “Ah, the plight of the newcomer.”
Cassie watched Conrad study their surroundings. The captain, now quiet, rode a few yards ahead. She glanced around. Everything looked as it always had, not a rock out of place. By the time they reached the entrance to the canyon she’d relaxed a few notches. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad and they’d all have a good time.
“Did you want to do some target practice here?” the captain asked. “Or go further in?”
Cassie gasped. “Tarnation! I forgot to ask you about targets.”
He smiled. “Have them in my saddlebag.”
“What did you bring?” Conrad asked.
The captain reached back and patted one of the bags. “Some old tin cans, a few bottles. We’ll have to find some pieces of wood to use as well.”
“That’s easy enough to do,” Cassie said. She looked at a large rock in the distance. “Let’s head over there.” She led the way and the men followed.
When they were within thirty yards of the rock, everyone dismounted and the captain began to empty out his bags. Soon there was a pile of targets as they added pieces of wood and anything else they could shoot at. “Who’s going to set up the first batch?” the captain asked.
“I will,” Conrad volunteered. “That rock over there, right?”
Cassie nodded. “Yes, that’s the one. Put up a dozen. We can have four each.”
Conrad grabbed four cans, four bottles, and four pieces of wood and carried his load to the large rock.
“So, lass,” the captain said. “What do you think of that one?”
She glanced his way as her cheeks heated. “Doesn’t really matter what I think, does it? He’s working on my house and doing a fine job. That’s all I care about.”
Captain Stanley laughed. “Come now, Cassie. You can’t hide your heart from me. I’ve seen you and the rest of this town grieve. You’re still grieving. And that man …” He pointed at Conrad’s retreating form. “… has brought a smile to your face. Just as Sterling makes Letty’s light up every time he's mentioned. Now there’s a girl in love.” His hands went to his hips as he faced her. “What about you?”
She took a step back. “Me? Why, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Conrad’s just working on my house.”
“And your heart,” the captain said with a chuckle.
“He’s doing nothing of the kind. He’s … painting.”
“And?”
“Wallpapering.”
The captain laughed. “Well, we’ll see how well your heart holds through all of that.” He went to his horse, took the rifle from its holster and checked it. When he turned around, he was grinning like a loon. “Should I shoot him now and get it over with?”
“Captain!” she said in shock. “You will not!”
He shrugged. “I could say the gun went off accidentally.”
Cassie facepalmed. Maybe bringing the captain along wasn’t such a good idea after all.
* * *
Conrad placedthe targets equal distances apart. He didn’t know who was going for the bottles, cans, or the pieces of wood. The wood would pose the most difficulty and he figured Cassie would try for those. The bottles were biggest, but also harder to see due to the sun’s glare. He’d have his best luck aiming for the cans. He might even hit one.
