Blinking, she realized both Reba and the other woman were staring. She patted Reba’s shoulder. “I’ll let her tell you all about it. Maybe we can get together after class.” With that, she hurried off to join the other students, leaving Reba and her friend to trail after her.
After the class, she avoided Reba, not wanting to rehash her sad story, and went to meet Colton, stretching her pleasantly aching muscles.
“Are you ready?” Colton smiled. Jewel smiled back, wondering how his every smile could affect her so.
Instead of heading home, he drove them to a local shooting range.
“I thought you might practice,” he said, pulling into a parking spot near the front door. “I brought the gun.” Opening the glove box, he removed the metal case and held it out to her.
Jewel stared, an unreasonable trepidation filling her. Hesitantly, she took the case, swallowing hard. “Okay.”
“Don’t look so scared. The sooner you can protect yourself, the better. At least for now you can get a feel for the pistol, the weight of it, the way it fires.”
He was right, of course, but she hated feeling so unprepared. She wasn’t ready, yet in another way, she’d never been more ready.
Though Leo had hired someone to torture her, she knew it wouldn’t be long before he decided to kill her. “You’re right.” Holding the case gingerly, she got out of the car.
“You don’t have to carry that as though it’s going to break,” he pointed out, smiling.
“Oh? I guess I’m more afraid I might accidentally set it off.”
“No bullets.” His grin widened. “It’s not loaded.”
Signing them both in to the firing range, he snagged ear protectors. Once they were in their stall, he showed her how to load the gun, how to remove the safety and how to sight the target.
“Now squeeze the trigger and be ready. There’s a bit of a backlash when it fires.”
As Jewel did as he directed, she felt an icy calm steal over her, similar to the way she felt when, as a wolf, she’d had prey within striking range.
“Steady,” Colton murmured. “Now shoot.”
Aiming for the paper outline’s heart, she complied. Despite his warning, the recoil surprised her, though it wasn’t painful.
“Direct hit.” He patted her shoulder. “Now go again.”
So she did. She shot again and again, learning how to reload the chamber, developing a comfortable familiarity with the revolver. One box of bullets, gone. She took a break, lowered the gun, before asking for another.
Without question, he handed her the second box of ammunition. “You’re pretty good at this.”
Sighting the revolver, Jewel smiled grimly. “I’d better be.” She squeezed the trigger, hitting the paper target at just above its heart.
“Natural talent.” Colton sounded pleased. “But you’ll need to finish up. We’ve got to go.”
“Go?” She glanced at her watch, surprised to see it was nearly seven. “You’re right. I wasn’t aware so much time had gone by. We’ve got to head back. I need to get dressed for work.”
“Another full shift?”
Was that censure in his voice? Jaw tight, she nodded. “I’m working as many hours as they’ll let me.” Checking the safety, she handed the gun to him, butt first. “Thanks. That was intense. I enjoyed myself.”
His expression shuttered, he placed the pistol in the case. “I could tell.” His tone was bleak, making her realize she’d confused him further.
During their ride home, rather than trying to explain, she stared out the window until they reached his house.
As she got out of the truck, he called her name.
She waited while he crossed to her.
His dark gaze searched her face. “Tell me the truth. Have you used a weapon before?”
