Angela nodded her agreement, trying not to think about what self-defense training with Jude might entail. Spending time together. Her cheeks warmed at the thought.
"There's something else," Jude said, his voice lowering slightly. "Duncan wants me to teach the two of you how to shoot."
Angela felt her mouth go dry. "Shoot? As in guns?"
There had been plenty of weapons around them growing up, but the only ones allowed to touch them had been Jim and Craig.
"Yes." Jude's expression remained neutral, but his eyes seemed to track her reaction carefully. "Firearms training is part of the security protocol for all family members."
Kiara looked up from her phone, suddenly interested. "I've never even held a gun before. Jim wouldn’t let us touch them. Probably figured we might be tempted to turn one on him."
Jude’s expression darkened for a moment before clearing again.
"We'll start with safety fundamentals and work our way up,” Jude said. “The indoor range is in the basement of this building."
Angela pulled her arms close to her sides as she clutched her phone in her hands, feeling a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature. "I don't know if I'm comfortable with that."
Jude's gaze softened almost imperceptibly as he held hers. "It's not about comfort, Angela. It's about being prepared."
The way he said her name made something flutter in her chest, despite her unease about the subject.
"When would we start that?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
"After you've had a few self-defense sessions. No rush. Take today to get familiar with your new phones. Dawn can help with any questions about the features."
“And we’re going to have driving lessons?” Kiara asked.
“Yes, we’ll start those soon too.”
“So much to learn,” Angela mused, once again feeling overwhelmed.
“It’s a lot,” Jude agreed. “But we’ll take it one day at a time.”
As they rose to leave, Jude cleared his throat. "Angela."
She paused, heart quickening as Kiara continued toward the door.
Jude glanced toward the door that Kiara had disappeared through, then back to Angela. "The cinnamon rolls yesterday—I wanted to apologize for not coming back. I got caught up in a security briefing that ran late."
Relief flooded through her, followed quickly by embarrassment at how much his explanation mattered to her. "Oh, you don't need to apologize. I understand you're busy."
"I'd like to try one sometime, if the offer still stands."
Angela felt her cheeks warm. "Of course. I could make a fresh batch anytime."
"Good." His lips quirked up in what might have been the beginning of a smile. "And Angela? In the training we're going to do—if you ever feel uncomfortable or need to take a break, just say so. This isn't about pushing you past your limits. It’s about helping you get comfortable defending yourself."
The gentleness in his voice made her chest tighten. "Thank you. That means a lot."
For a moment, they stood there looking at each other, and Angela felt that same flutter of connection she'd experienced the day before. Then Jude stepped back, and Angela realized she might very well be alone in feeling that connection.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Feeling a little sad, Angela nodded and hurried to catch up with Kiara, who was examining the security monitors with Dawn.
"Ready to go?" Kiara asked, pocketing her new phone.
"Yes," Angela said, then followed her sister out of the security building.
