Page 55 of A Shot at Love
Gemma grinned, her mood lifting considerably. “When I see Rick again I’m going to give him a big kiss on the mouth for stocking it here.”
Ky’s eyes darkened. His gaze flicked to her mouth, her cup just touching her bottom lip, and then back up to her eyes. She caught that cauldron of flaming emotions she’d noted before in him blazing to the surface again, and as quick as she recognized it, he extinguished the fire.
Very carefully, Ky put his mug down on the table. “I need to go over a few things with you.”
And there was the ice again.
“’K.”
Ky told her the conversation he’d had with SAC Tiege about Jon Winters.
“So, he’s okay physically?”
“From the sound of it, yes. Or he will be.”
“Will he be able to shoot again? I mean, if the doctor says he’ll make a full recovery, isn’t that what it basically means? He’ll be able to use his arm for everything?”
“I don’t know the answer to that. I’m hopeful, as I imagine Jon is.” His brows tightened together. “Why do you ask about shooting?”
Gemma took a sip of her coffee. “It’s important for you all to be good shots, right? You’ve told me how much he loves his job. Being able to shoot is an important part of that. Where does it leave him, career wise, if he can’t?”
Ky stared at her for a few beats, the intensity of his gaze boring down on her, making her want to squirm in her chair.
“What?” she asked when he didn’t answer.
Ky shook his head, almost as if he was pulling himself out of a trance. “Nothing. I just keep forgetting how very astute and observant you are.”
Surprise at his words warred with the little jolt of pleasure that shocked through her.
The pleasure won.
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see how well he recuperates,” Ky continued. “If his arm affects his shooting, he’ll deal with it. Trust me, Jon is nothing if not resilient.”
He finished his coffee, rose, and filled his mug again. When he held the pot up to her and cocked an eyebrow, she shook her head.
He brought his filled mug back to the table, sat, and said, “Speaking of guns, do you have any experience with them?”
“Yes. I’ve got a license to carry. Why?”
“Even though we’re isolated here, and maybe more because we are, we need to be vigilant and prepared for anything.” He went on to describe the weapons stash he’d found that morning. “What kind of firearms have you used?”
“Glocks, mostly. I like revolvers with six-inch barrels the best, but you have to load the bullets one by one after the chamber empties, so it’s time consuming. But I love the feel of a revolver in my hand. It feels, I don’t know,” she shrugged, “comfortable and solid are the best words. Josh showed me how to use an automatic assault rifle once, but the kick was too much. Bruised my shoulder like a bitch, so he thought I should stick to handguns.”
“He ever take you to the range to practice?”
She nodded. “Couple times. Rick was the one who gave me most of my info and instructions. He was a sniper in a previous career, one he never talks about, so I learned a lot. It’s like with my martial arts training.” She shrugged. “I’m good at it.”
“I would bet it’s because, as a photographer of your caliber, you have excellent hand-to-eye coordination.”
She lifted her shoulders again. “I guess. I don’t own a gun, personally, though.”
“When you’re finished I’ll show you the room and you can choose the weapon you want. There’s enough ammo that we can practice. It makes sense for the both of us to be armed while we’re here.”
“Okay. Do you think—” She stopped, hating she had to ask permission for something. For anything, really.
“Do I think what?”
She scrunched up her face, her lips pulling in at the corners. She began rubbing her palms on her thighs, much as she did as a child and had done something to incur a scolding from her grandmother.
“Well, I’ve got my cameras. I’d like to…explore a little. Just around the property. Maybe take some pictures? We’re isolated here, like you said. No one knows where we are. I’ve been cooped up for days and I just need…to work.”
