AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When we get outside, my mouth drops open at the display. Tons of multiple-size balloons are set up on posts at various distances. Bales of hay have been stacked, spanning the length of the improvised gun range.
“Alex, you always want to know where your target is, but even more importantly, you want to know what’s behind your target. We set up the hay to stop stray bullets from accidentally hurting any wild animals,” Patrick says in one last lesson before they go to their side of the yard.
I empty my magazine, that’s capable of holding more than a dozen bullets, but I don’t hit a single target. Alex does, though, and he gets excited when a puff of smoke is expelled from the balloon after it pops. “Whoa! How did you do that?” I ask.
Charlie explains, “It was Savannah’s idea. Before we blew up the balloons, we put baking powder inside of them. We all agreed it would be better than shattering glass and a whole lot safer, too.”
“Not to mention it’s a lot more fun!” exclaims Savannah.
“That was a wonderful idea! You’ve been really great with Alex. You all have. Thank you for all the kindness that you’ve shown him.”
“He’s a great kid. You’ve done an excellent job raising him. I know all of this is hard for you, but I promise we’ll do our best not only to protect you and Alex, but we’ll try to make it as fun for him as possible so that he doesn’t get scared,” Savannah tells me, placing an arm around my shoulders.
Now that I know she isn’t married to Patrick, I’m much more comfortable around her and her gestures of affection.
“You would make a great mom,” I tell her. “Do you have any kids of your own?”
It’s the first time I’ve seen her frown. “No, I don’t. My doctors have told me that I’m unable to have children. I adore kids, but it isn’t in the cards for me.” She doesn’t explain further; she just points her gun down range and quickly takes five shots, hitting all her targets.
“Save some for us!” Jessie teases, shattering the tension. We all stand in line, taking one shot after another, mine never hitting anything other than the backstop.
“Maybe I can help,” Patrick’s deep voice resonates from behind me.
“I don’t know if anything can help me. I might be a lost cause.”
“It’s your stance and breath control. You’re anticipating the recoil and dipping the muzzle downward while holding your breath. Let me show you.”
He stands behind me and places his hands on my hips, turning them so I’m squared off with the target. Keeping his hands right where they are, he uses the tip of his boot to nudge my feet apart. He slowly slides his hands up my arms and lifts them to position them straight in front of me.
“Now bend your legs just a little to give you some stability,” he whispers in my ear. I shudder at the sound of his sexy voice in my ear but try not to show it and do as I’m told.
“That’s good,” he says, his breath tickling the side of my neck. I close my eyes as I enjoy the feel of his touch. “Open your eyes, Ari. You need to see the target.” I feel his chest shake lightly from laughter against my back. Oh, man! He knows what he’s doing to me and getting a kick out of it!
“Now, control your breathing. Always shoot after you’ve fully exhaled.” I take one deep breath, and once all of the air has left my lungs, I take the shot. My hands would have dipped if he wasn’t holding them in place, but I hit the target.
“That’s my girl. Ready to try it on your own?” he asks.
No. “Yes.” He steps back to give me space, and I go through the motions repeatedly. By the time I’ve emptied my magazine, I’ve hit five out of fifteen of my shots. He winks at me before going back over to Alex.
Savannah sidles up beside me, “Girl, that was the hottest and sexiest shooting lesson I’ve ever witnessed.”
“That’s my son you’re talking about. There are things a mother doesn’t need to witness or hear,” Charlie says lightly.
Jessie waves her comment away, “Pshaw! You have a grandson, Charlie. You must know that certain things had to happen to make you a grandma.”
“Yes, but she doesn’t need to witness it,” Jerry says from the porch. “None of us do, for that matter.”
“You’re such a curmudgeon, Jerry. Someday, you’ll meet a woman who will get those lips to turn up instead of down!” Savannah fires back.
“Those are fighting words! Do you want to take this outside, Savvy?” he yells back.
“But you are outside!” Alex shouts. He jumps in front of Savannah to defend her, pulling his sleeves up and ready to duke it out. “You’re going to have to get through me first!” he shouts in all seriousness, not realizing they’re just messing around.
“Like father, like son,” Jerry retorts. It’s clear he’s trying to hide his laughter but fails. When Jerry smiles, it’s as if the clouds have parted and the sun beams are shining through.
“Well, look at that, Alex! You have just done the impossible!” Charlie tells her grandson.
Without missing a beat, Alex says, “It’s my superpower!”
