Free Cassandra Austin by Callyand the Sheriff Page A

hand as she stiffened. “Please hear me out. I only have your best interests in mind. I think you should come into town.”
    Noting the stubborn lift of her chin, he added quickly, “At least meet the Gwynn sisters. Would you do that for me? If you don’t like them, I can ask around some more. Mr. Lafferty, perhaps?”
    He took a step toward her, and she backed away. It hurt him to know she was scared of him. It ought to please him. Surely it would be easier to get her to do as he suggested if she was frightened of him. Wouldn’t it?
    “Sure,” she said.
    That was just the answer he wanted. Why didn’t it please him? What difference did it make why she agreed as long as she agreed? Right? “Next time you’re in town then? You can come by my office, and I’ll take you to meet them.”
    “Fine.” She edged toward the milk cow, her back practically pressed against the barn wall, trying to stay as far away from him as possible. “I have to—”
    “Milk the cow.” He nodded. “I know.” The nicest thing he could do for her now would be to get out of her way. She was evidently safe enough out here for now. He had to think of the long run and that meantgiving her time to make up her own mind. A few more days of trying to do everything for herself were bound to have the desired effect.
    He saddled the mare as quickly as he could, trying not to listen to her coaxing voice as she talked to the cow. He tried not to believe that he was abandoning a child to look after herself. After all, he was beginning to respect her self-sufficiency and courage.
    But mostly he tried not to think about the surprising young woman he had discovered last night. That young woman didn’t belong out here. She didn’t belong in those baggy clothes. She belonged—good heavens, he couldn’t believe what he was thinking!

Chapter Five
    C ally heard Andrew leave. She was relieved that he hadn’t said goodbye. It was better for him to just go. That way she didn’t have to speak to him again, and she wasn’t sure of her voice.
    This crazy fever she suffered from was definitely tied up with that man. The sight of him, rumpled and sleepy, brought it on. His voice, as smooth as warm honey, made it worse. By staying as far away from him as she could, she had kept it under control.
    As she milked Belle, she tried to put all the pieces together, the light in his eyes when he saw her last night, the touch, the heat, the quivers. It was kind of like when a bitch or a cow was in season, she decided. Haywood had just shown up at the wrong time. It had never happened to her before, because nobody but Pa had ever been around. All she had to do was stay away from Haywood until it passed.
    And make certain he never touched her.
    Andrew was doubting the wisdom of the idea before he stepped across Mr. Lafferty’s threshold. Yesterday,it had seemed like a perfect place for the little tomboy to work. His whole picture of the girl had changed since then, or was at least confused. The idea was still worth a try, he decided.
    The store was dimly lit and apparently empty. Andrew was about to turn to go when a figure left the dim shadows at the back of the building and came toward him slowly.
    “Who’s there?” Mr. Lafferty called.
    “Sheriff Haywood.”
    “Well, ‘tis nice to hear yer voice, lad. You be needin’ more oats for that fine mare of yers?”
    Andrew went to meet him and clasped his hand. “I came about something else altogether. I believe you know Cally DuBois.”
    “Bonnie wee lass, that one. Sweet thing.” Lafferty nodded thoughtfully. That didn’t exactly fit Andrew’s assessment of the girl, but he let it pass. “Fine cook, too. Brings me muffins and the like, says they broke comin’ from the pan, but she doesn’t fool this old man.”
    Andrew smiled. A generous Cally? “She’s all alone now, you know. I’ve been trying to find her a job in town. I worry about her on that farm alone.”
    “Do ye, now?” The old man’s weak