Chapter 33
Ty put the gun in her hand. “You’ve held a gun a million times before. Take a big breath in and let it out.”
“It’s one thing to play with sticks, it’s quite another to use a real weapon,” she said nervously. “Doesn’t it seem a bit sketchy to hand a blind woman a gun?”
“Rocker and Ice will stay behind you at all times. There’s nothing in the pasture besides bundled hay. You can’t possibly hurt anyone,” Ty reassured her.
“All right. We have an hour. Let’s do this. I’m making lunch, and it might take me longer than you,” she muttered.
“You got up and prepped everything this morning. It’ll take less than fifteen minutes to sauté the shrimp,” he chastised. “Feel the weight of the gun. Does it feel the same as you remember?”
She nodded and licked her lips.
“Let’s start with some practical instructions. Like your dinner plate, aim at 1400 and shoot,” he instructed.
Scarlett squeezed her eyes shut and pressed the trigger. The gun went off and she held it toward the ground.
“Good job. Think of the clock, Scarlett. Six represents the ground. You’re aiming about 1430. Let’s try again,” Ty ordered.
She nodded and held up the weapon.
“Aim at 1600,” he called out. She pulled the trigger, feeling more confident.
“Better, Sparky. Right on the money,” Ty congratulated her.
“Thanks,” she said, leaning in and kissing him. His hand stroked her back.
Rocker gagged. “Come on. Do you need to submit me to this torture?”
Scarlett grinned.
Ty’s phone rang. “Rocker, can you set up the cans and instruct her while I take this? The insurance adjuster finally returned my call.”
“All right, Sassy P, I’m walking in the field. Keep your weapon down,” Rocker instructed as Ty moved farther away from them.
“Leo called me this morning to set up my interview. I’m meeting him on Friday. Hopefully, when Ghost and Rayne arrive, I’ll have good news to share,” Scarlett said as she held the gun down.
“You seem excited about this. Does it mean you’ve decided to stay?” Rocker asked, setting up the cans on a piece of wood.
“I feel alive here,” Scarlett admitted. “I’m not stifled and put into a bubble. If I get the job, I might take it.”
“You’ll make a great addition to the team,” Rocker said proudly.
“I haven’t got it yet. What’s keeping you here? I figured you’d be itching to return home,” she asked.
“I don’t like this Jeremy guy still ambling around here free,” Rocker said, walking toward her. “Sledge can’t protect you from his hospital bed.”
“I’m here with Ty,” she argued. “You can’t babysit me. I won’t ever see again. You won’t be able to keep protecting me,” she reasoned.
“I know. It doesn’t feel like the right time to leave you. You sure about this guy? I’m serious, he’s butt ugly, exactly like Sledge said,” Rocker said with amusement in his voice.
“You know, Leo told me a story about Kassie. They met when his team rescued her. A man held her captive, and she managed to steal his gun, close her eyes, and shot Leo in the ass,” she said.
“Why would he tell you this story willingly?” Rocker asked suspiciously.
“Because he wanted me to know he won’t be letting me near the weapons, and it’s not a biased thing because I’m blind.” She giggled. “He said he already knew the consequences of a mad woman with her eyes closed. He wasn’t taking any chances with a blind one training with Ty.”
Rocker laughed out loud. “It seems Leo has experience with pissing women off.”
“I spoke with Patch when we went into town. I initially considered him an ass, but he’s actually a cool guy. I’ve met the others only in passing. Their wives have treated me with kindness.”
“As long as you’re healthy, happy, and whole,” Rocker said. “The cans are lined up on a piece of wood. We’ll start at nine and work our way to three. Let’s see what you can do.”
“Shall I fire once or keep going? Everyone’s still behind me?” she asked.
“Give it all ya got, Sparky. How the hell did he come up with that for your nickname? I still like Sassy P better,” Rocker said as she lined up her weapon and fired.
The sound of cans pinging resembled music to her ears. “How many did I hit?” she asked excitedly.
“You got three as far as I can tell. Lower your weapon and let me check the ones on the ground,” he said, walking into the field.
“Good job,” Ty called as he walked up to her.
“Did the insurance adjuster have good news for you?” she asked.
“He’s coming into town tomorrow. I’ll meet him at the restaurant. They’re trying to lowball me on the damage costs. I got three estimates and they’re about six thousand shy,” he grumbled.
“Oh, no. Will he readjust it again after seeing the place tomorrow?”
“I don’t know. After dinner, I’ll call Kassie and Bryanna.
Perhaps their insurance carriers gave them better news.
We need to get the community center up and running.
Barb, Edie, and Bryanna can’t keep this pace for long.
I sent some of my staff in to help, but we can’t have Randy’s people and mine all in the kitchen at the same time. ”
“What can we do to help? Cherise said it’s time to get the community to pitch in rather than rely on the Winters Foundation. How did they get involved before the hospital?” Scarlett asked.
“We’d hold a town meeting. We have one on Thursday. Doc wants to bring up the need for more law enforcement. We have more visitors in town, and they don’t know how to deal with this thing with Jeremy,” Ty said, considering what Scarlett suggested.
“Does everyone attend the meetings?” Scarlett asked.
“The seniors come to visit with one another, and a few of the families show up because of the school agendas. When I talk to Kassie, she might have some ideas,” Ty said, watching Rocker.
“Do you want to keep going?” he asked.
“Yeah. I want to keep practicing,” she said as Rocker joined them.
“You got four of them,” Rocker said, sounding surprised.
“I won’t be here for dinner tonight. I’m driving to Seattle.
One of my military buddies lives in Portland.
His wife wanted to see their granddaughter, and he asked me to meet for dinner.
I’ll return later tonight if it’s all right with you? ” he asked Ty.
“We’re fine here,” Ty assured him. “Scarlett and I have a date with an audiobook.”
“Geez, now she’s got you hooked on them.” Rocker shook his head. “Wait until she has you listening to the alien story.”
“I’m up for anything,” Ty said, pulling Scarlett close.
“Oh yeah, wait until they start having sex. It’s one thing to read it, but hearing it brings it to a whole new level.”
“You know you liked it,” Scarlett prodded him. “How about we make this more interesting? Let’s see how you two shoot. I got four.”
“Someone’s getting cocky,” Rocker crooned as he took the weapon from her and reloaded it.
“Do we have a wager for who wins?” Ty asked.
“Loser does the dishes all week. When does your cleaning lady come?” she asked.
“Maria and her daughter, Harlow, clean on Wednesday mornings,” Ty informed her.
“Get ready, one of you boys will be scrubbing those pots and pans,” she goaded.
Rocker aimed the gun and fired. Ty walked out to count the cans. “You got a good man, Scarlett. He’s earned my respect for the way he treats you. The town has nothing but good things to say about him.”
Scarlett smiled. “He bought me a book in Braille. They’re expensive. He overheard us talking at dinner the first night. He planned to use it as an excuse to ask me out.”
“As I said, he’s got our seal of approval. Make sure you’re staying with him for all the right reasons,” Rocker said quietly.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s obvious he cares about you. Don’t stay with him because you’re blind and scared. Do it because you genuinely like him, too,” Rocker said before Ty returned and took the gun.
Did she like Ty because he was convenient?
No. They got along from the start. He made her laugh and found ways to make her happy.
She didn’t feel like she offered him as much, but they enjoyed each other’s company and didn’t run out of things to talk about.
Scarlett made up her mind. Ty pushed her out into the light, and she liked it there.
Rocker was wrong. She loved the man and planned to let him know.