Her chin dipped in a single motion. “No one came out and said it, but I could see from the way everyone stiffened and grew serious that at least a few of you think that old foreman or his hands had something to do with it.”
He couldn’t argue. They did. He was almost willing to stake his career on it. But that wasn’t what had his gut churning. This woman was taking on every aspect of the ranch, from working it, to fixing it, and now defending it. Maybe marrying her was the smartest thing he’d ever done.
“Well?”
“All right.” Nodding his head, he set his coffee down. “No time like the present.”
A bright smile took over her face making her eyes sparkle. Damn, how he loved making her happy.
Retrieving a handgun and ammunition from in the house, he led her out behind the barn. Taking a couple of wooden sawhorses from a nearby storage shed, he set up a little shooting range with oil cans. Next, he went into instructor mode, walking her through the safety protocols, the mechanics of the weapon, the importance of treating every weapon as if it were loaded, and never ever point it at anyone unless you intend to shoot. And with that came the familiar refrain: if you shoot, shoot to kill.
She listened, her focus absolute, her green eyes tracking his every move. Following his instructions, she slipped five rounds into the magazine, set her stance shoulder width apart, brought the sights to the can, and eased the trigger with slow steadypressure. She fired. The can on the far left pinged and jumped off the post. She fired again. The second can flew into the air. A third shot, and the last can disappeared.
A natural. He shouldn’t have expected anything less from this amazing woman. Shaking his head, a slow laugh rumbled in his chest. “I married Annie Oakley.”
“Hardly.” She smiled back. “Beginner’s luck.”
“Not a chance.” He walked over to the sawhorses, placed the cans on top once again, then returning to her side, gave her five more rounds and watched as she readied her stance, set her sights, and one by one sent each oil can flying. “Cassie Barker, you are simply full of surprises.”
Pride and joy were both painted on her face. “I did it. I actually did it.”
So much for beginner’s luck. He bobbed his head, grinning back at her. There was no doubt in his mind that she was going to make one helluva rancher’s wife. And why did he suddenly wish more than anything else that this year didn’t have to come to an end and he could be that rancher?
Pure, unadulterated triumph bloomed in Cassidy’s chest. She lowered the handgun, the weight of it surprisingly solid and manageable in her hands, and stared at the empty sawhorse. She’d done it. She’d actually hit all the targets. Not by chance but every time.
The genuine admiration in Kade’s eyes was a heady thing, a warmth that spread through her and settled deep in her bones. In that moment she wasn’t a foster kid or a blackjack dealer. She was a woman who could hold her own, a woman who had just impressed a highly trained soldier. And the feeling was ridiculously, wonderfully good. In just a week, she felt more andmore comfortable around the family, the house, and the ranch. Who knew this girl born and raised in the city would enjoy tending to horses or fences?
Taking a minute, she slanted a glance in Kade’s direction and felt her cheeks tug at the corners of her mouth as an idea rattled around in the back of her mind. “So.” She looked to the sawhorses and back. “What say you to a little friendly competition?”
The way Kade’s eyes widened followed by a wide grin and full on belly laugh, he bobbed his head and reached for another weapon resting on the barrel beside him. “You’re on.” Gathering new targets, Kade set up the cans side by side. “Ladies first.”
Cassidy took aim, pulled the trigger, and grinned when she made what looked to her like a bull’s-eye.
Nodding, Kade marched over to the can, drew a large circle around the shot, then returned to stand beside her. Taking aim, he fired.
This time, Cassidy walked beside him, grinning when Kade lifted the can. His shot was slightly up and left from hers dead center. They did this over and over for the next hour or so. Jostling back and forth for first place.
In the end, Kade beat her by one round. “For someone who has never even held a gun before, I think it’s safe to say you can most definitely hit the broadside of a barn.”
“You didn’t do so bad yourself.”
“Gee, thanks.” He’d pretty much smiled and laughed the whole time they’d been out in the middle of the field shooting at oil cans. If she had any really good friends to tell this to, they wouldn’t believe her. She wasn’t all that sure she believed what she’d just done.
“There you are.” Garret made his way around the back of the barn. “Mom is setting up for a lunch. She’s sent out the call for the whole family to be here.”
“What’s wrong?” Kade’s brows buckled quickly with concern.
Garret shrugged. “No idea what she’s up to, but the way she’s smiling and whistling, I don’t think anything is wrong.”
“Okay.” Kade nodded. “We’ll clean up here and head back.”
Keeping her eyes on Garret as he walked away, she noticed Kade still looked worried. “You think something’s up?”
“Not sure, but Mom doesn’t usually organize big lunches. Dinners for special occasions, yes, but lunches on a Saturday afternoon…” He shrugged. “I’m probably overthinking this. Let’s put all this back, and hopefully I’ll have time to hit the showers.”
“You are a little ripe,” she teased.
“Hey…” His expression feigned insult, but his eyes sparkled with amusement.
