by Mia Carson
Alec’s hand fisted, and he whipped his head around. August was on the other side, grinning from ear to ear as he held his face up with his clasped hands, watching them as if he was falling in love. His eyes widened, and he pretended to swoon.
“Aren’t you two just romantic as ever?” August sighed, and Alec reached across the counter to grab him by the shirtfront. The former laughed and held up his hands. “What? Just pointing out the obvious.”
“As always,” Alec grumbled. Reaching over farther, he put his brother in a headlock, giving him a noogie like he used to do when they were kids. “Iris, this is my brother August.”
August held out a hand and with an over-exaggerated croaky voice, said, “Nice to meet you.”
Iris took his hand as she shook with laughter. “You too. I didn’t know Alec had a brother.”
“Younger—half-brother, to be precise,” August said.
Alec frowned and let his brother go, patting his cheek. “Full, I don’t care what anyone says. We’re getting ready to shoot on five and six. Care to watch me show this pretty little lady up?” He winked and pretended to tip a hat on his head.
Iris’s face was eerily calm as she pointed at the rifle in the case. “I’ll use that one, if you don’t mind, and you will be the one who gets shown up today.”
“Wait,” August cut in, waving his hands between them. “Did you bring her here on a date?”
“Yes, I did. Problem?”
August face-palmed. “You meet a pretty woman in the new town you’re living in and your idea of a date is to take her shooting? Wow, you’re more messed up than I thought you were. Nikki did a number on you.”
Iris turned to August. “Nikki?”
Alec glared at August and shook his head, but his brother was too busy pulling the black Howa 30-06 rifle out of the case and getting ready to unlock the trigger to see. “His ex,” he said casually.
“I see,” Iris said and turned to Alec with an eyebrow cocked. “Interesting.”
“We’ll talk about my past when you’re ready to talk about yours,” he countered.
Iris’s eyes narrowed to slits, and she threw her shoulders back. “Fine. Are we going to shoot or what?”
Inwardly, Alec breathed a sigh of relief and asked August to fetch his personal rifle from the gun safe in back. He said he’d be right along with it, and Alec led Iris back to the ranges. They donned ear and eye protection first, then headed to the two one-hundred-yard ranges. Mac was there with the targets, and he hung one up in each range, clipping them in. He waved at them both, then ducked out of the room. Iris set up the rifle on lane six and waited for August to arrive with Alec’s gun and ammo.
“You sure you don’t want to back out of our deal?” Alec asked.
She shook her head and tapped the ear protection. “These are nice. No yelling.”
“Only the best for my customers,” he told her. He adjusted the volume on his set of ear protection. The new gear would drown out the sound of the gun firing but allowed the shooter to hear if anyone spoke to him through a mic built into the sides.
August walked in, eyes and ears on too, and handed over Alec’s rifle. “Ammo for you both,” he said and set a box down for Alec and another for Iris. “Can’t wait to see this.”
Alec smiled but didn’t load his rifle. He motioned for Iris to shoot first. She hit the button on the sidewall, and the target zoomed back one hundred yards to the far end of the range. He hoped he’d be able to move in beside her and guide her hands where they needed to be. It would give him an excuse to get close again, but as he watched her, his lips pursed.
“I’ll be damned,” August said beside him. “That woman knows how to handle a gun.”
“She hasn’t even shot yet,” Alec argued, but he knew August was right.
Iris set up the bipod on the rifle, reached behind her, and pulled up the chair. Once she was seated, she pressed her eye to the scope, adjusting the knobs until she nodded and reached for the ammo. She loaded one bullet in the gun and made ready to shoot. Alec shifted so he was right behind her. Alec handed him a small pair of binoculars and waited, his eyes on the target one hundred yards away. A boom echoed through the room as Iris pulled the trigger, and Alec watched the target barely move as the bullet hit a little to the right of the bullseye.
“How many shots are we doing?” she asked without turning around.
“Best out of five,” he told her.
She chambered another round and pulled the trigger. Alec cursed under his breath when this one hit dead center. The next three tore the hole bigger, and when Iris clicked the safety into place and stood up to face Alec and August, the gloating smile on her face told Alec he was in trouble.
“Not bad for a little girlie,” she announced and brushed imaginary dust from her shoulder. “Your turn, hot shot.”
August took the binoculars from Alec and patted him on the shoulder. “You’re so screwed, man.” He backed away, and Alec pressed his tongue in his cheek as he nodded stiffly. He walked to lane five to set up his rifle, also a 30-06, a Winchester instead of a Howa.
He settled in his chair, placed his eye to the scope, and focused on his target at the end of the lane. His finger rested on the trigger, and he fired his first round. It was off center by two inches, and Iris whistled behind him. He hung his head for a second then loaded his second round. This one was off by three inches.
“Damn it,” he muttered.
“Do you need some help?” Iris asked. “I could show you a thing or two.”
August laughed loudly, but Alec ignored them both. His next two shots were closer and his fifth was finally dead-on. He stood and pressed the button to recall both targets as August collected the rifles and carried them out of the lanes to clean them.
“Wow, would you look at that,” Iris said as she held up her target, peering at him through the hole she’d ripped through the middle with her shots. “I’m a better shot than the owner.”
He pushed the target aside and wrapped his arm around her waist. She gasped, but the light in her eyes told him all he needed to know. “Guess I’ll get to see you quite often now.”
“Guess you will,” she whispered, her chest brushing against his with every breath she sucked in.
“It’s getting late. I’ll walk you home,” he said and removed his arm reluctantly from her body.
They left the lanes, and Alec had her write her name on her target so he could hang it up on the wall behind the counter with the others. “Aren’t you going to put yours up?” August asked, and Alec glared at him. “What? Just asking.”
“Close up for me? I’ll see you at home,” he told his brother and walked Iris out of the gun range. “Who the hell taught you to shoot?” he asked when they were on their way back to town.
“My dad,” she said, her hand slipping easily into his. “He started when I was ten and took me hunting when I was eleven. Every deer season, turkey season, whatever season, we hunted.”
“Remind me never to piss you off,” he remarked.
“It takes a lot to do that these days, unless you’re Jenson,” she replied as her whole body stiffened. “You still haven’t told me what happened, and we’re at the end of our date.”
Alec stared at his boots as they walked, not wanting to ruin the moment between them, but she had a right to know if her ex was watching her and showing up at her house so late at night. “You’re not going to the bar tonight and get drunk if I do, are you?”
“What if I do?” she asked.
“I just need to know so I can happen to be there to walk you home again and make sure you get inside safely.”
“Alec, really, what happened? You sound like you want to strangle someone.”
He ground his teeth together before finally muttering, “He showed up at your house last night, was waiting on the sidewalk for me to leave. He wanted to know who I was and if I was dating you, then warned me to stay away from his girl.” His grip tightened protectively on her hand when h
ers shook, and she sucked in a breath. “Iris, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No,” she snapped, pausing to take a deep breath. “No, you should have. That bastard. I’m going to deck him the next time I see him. His girl—who the fuck does he think he is?”
He pulled them to a stop and stared into her eyes. “You have that look on your face.”
“What look?” she snarled, but he knew it wasn’t directed towards him.
“The look that says you need a drink.”
She opened her mouth then clamped it shut so hard her teeth clacked together. “No, I’m not. I’m going straight home to punch the crap out of my pillow while picturing his face.”
“You sure you want to be alone tonight?” he asked, worried what she might do. After Nikki trashed him, he went through a self-destructive streak, but it only lasted a few days. From what he’d heard, Iris’s had been going on for years, and either everyone was too blind to see it or no one cared. He was not going to watch her tear herself apart over some asshole ex-boyfriend.
“No, but I’ll survive,” she said, sounding defeated, and pulled her hand from his. “I always do. I think I can make it on my own from here.”
He wanted to stay with her but reminded himself they only met last night. “You have my number. Call me if you change your mind. I’m serious, Iris,” he said firmly when she looked ready to wave him off. “Anything at all, you call me.”
“I will, promise,” she said, but she lied. “Thanks for today. It was fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself,” he replied, every muscle in his body straining to stay put instead of going after her. “See you at the range?”
“It’s a date,” she said with a smile, turned around, shoved her hands in her butt pockets, and strolled down the sidewalk. He stayed where he was, watching her until she turned the corner to her street. He was halfway to his house when he remembered his truck was still parked at Iris’s place.
“Figures,” he muttered, but continued for home. He’d get it tomorrow after he showed Jenson up at the gun range. He probably should have told Iris that part, too, but he’d stressed her out enough. He’d put Jenson in his place and maybe he’d take it like a man and leave her alone.
A cop car pulled down Main Street, slowing as it passed Alec. When he glanced at the window, he saw the man himself glaring daggers at him. Jenson’s face curled up in a leer before he stepped on the gas and drove on past, leaving Alec hating that man even more than he did before. One more day, then he’d prove who the better man was.
Maybe by tomorrow, too, he’d have a better understanding of what Iris did to him.
Chapter 7
Iris spent the rest of Saturday evening having a stare-down with the bottle of wine on her kitchen table, but she didn’t touch it. Several times, her fingers nearly called Alec to ask him to come over, but she resisted the urge, even though she had good reason. His truck was parked in front of her house. Eventually, she assumed, he would want it back.
When she woke up Sunday morning, exhausted from lack of sleep, she stayed in bed and stared at her ceiling, wondering what was happening. She was so used to her life being a train-wreck that the last two days caught her completely off-guard, and any minute now, she expected to wake up and find it all a dream. Alec coming into her life was unexpected, but now, she couldn’t picture not talking to him every day or seeing him again. They hardly knew each other, yet every time she was around him, it was as if they’d been together for a long time.
And his kiss. If he kept kissing her like he had at the hospital, he was going to be trouble sooner rather than later. Her fingers touched her lips, remembering how his lips had pressed sweetly against hers. She craved to feel him again, hold him in her arms, and forget she ever had to worry about Jenson. At least now, she knew what he was running from. An ex, and Alec’s darkened eyes at the mention of her name told Iris that their relationship had not ended well either. She hated to be happy about the fact that if this did go further, she wouldn’t be the only one bringing a little baggage into the relationship.
“Listen to yourself,” she mumbled, tossing the covers off and traipsing into the bathroom. “Already talking about a relationship after one failed date and one okay date that didn’t even end with a kiss!” She stared at herself in the bathroom mirror, tugging her hair into a messy ponytail. “We’re not ready,” she told her reflection. “Not with Sam coming home and a new job. One step at a time.”
As she got ready for the day and picking up Sam from the hospital, she pushed any thoughts of Alec to the side, trying to remain focused on the goal at hand—work until she had some money to pay off the mounting debt and medical bills. Then, maybe, there’d be time for a relationship with the new guy in town. She picked up her purse and keys, convincing herself to tell Alec they had to put whatever this was on hold, and opened the front door. The sight of what lay on the doormat brought her up short, and all resolve shattered.
“Damn that man,” she whispered and bent down, a smile curling her lips.
Sitting on the front porch was a small bouquet of orange tiger lilies with a note. She glanced up, but the truck was gone. She wondered when Alec had stopped by to get it. She opened the note and read it: Hope you enjoy the lilies, you didn’t seem like a roses kind of woman. I enjoyed yesterday immensely and look forward to seeing you again soon. If you’re not busy, I’d like to meet you for drinks tomorrow to celebrate your first day. Tell Sam I said hello, Alec.
She tucked the note into her back pocket and inhaled the sweet aroma of the lilies. “You guessed right,” she whispered. “I’m so screwed.”
There was no getting away from this man, not now. Jenson had never done anything nice like this for her, and certainly never tried to figure out what she actually liked. He’d always assumed she would like whatever he gave her. Alec actually gave a shit, and that, more than anything, told Iris what she needed to know. This mysterious man cared about her, and she wouldn’t be able to push him away. Those lilies were an unspoken promise that he would be in her life for a long time and that he would wait until she was ready. Iris turned back inside, filled a vase with water, and set the lilies in it before she breathed them in and walked out the door.
When she arrived at the hospital, Sam was packed and ready to go. Dr. Wallace handed over the recommended diet and exercise plan for Sam’s recovery and to help him regain his strength. It would take time, something Wallace reiterated repeatedly to the anxious Sam who was bouncing in his wheelchair, ready to get out of there and back home. Iris was just as excited to have her brother back in the house. The place was lonely without him, but she knew it would be harder, now, to hide their money troubles. So far, she’d kept him in the dark, but her brother wasn’t an idiot. If he started snooping around, he’d figure it out real quick.
The car ride to the house was filled with Sam asking about her date with Alec and her unsuccessfully avoiding all his questions about it.
“Can we get you inside at least?” she said, exasperated after the tenth question.
“Fine. Can we have pizza for dinner?” he asked as she parked the car in the drive.
She shut off the engine and stared at him. “I’m pretty sure pizza is not one of the things Wallace recommended you eat.”
“Oh, come on, I haven’t had a damn pizza in months!”
Iris rested her head back. “I’ll make you deal. I’ll order you a damn pizza, but you have to limit your questions about me and Alec to five, got it?”
Sam tapped his fingers on his legs, and she stared him down hard. “Five, deal, but I want pineapple.”
“That’s disgusting,” she grumbled as they climbed out of the car. “Why do you insist on pineapple? It doesn’t belong on a damn pizza!”
“Says who?” a man asked from the front porch.
Immediately, Iris put herself in front of Sam and reached into her purse for her cell. Her hand only stilled when she spotted Sheriff Pueller standing behind Jenson
, taking his hat off and waving at her.
“There he is,” Pueller said, and Iris forced a smile to her face as she stepped aside. “Sam, my boy, you’re looking much better.”
“Thank, Sheriff,” Sam said brightly. His sideways glance at Iris said he was going to have questions for her once they got inside, and not about Alec. “Doc says I should be looking even better after getting my strength back.”
“Glad to hear it,” Pueller said. “A few of us down at the station put together a welcome home basket for you. Something to cheer you up.”
Sam stepped forward and took the basket Jenson held in his hands. “Thanks, really. You guys didn’t have to do that.”
Pueller shrugged and messed up Sam’s hair playfully. “We all loved your dad. I even watched you a few times myself, kid, and I’ve never seen anyone fight so hard and never lose hope. You deserve it. We have to get back to the station, but you take care of your sister now, you hear?”
“Will do, sir, thanks again,” Sam said politely.
“Jenson, after you,” Wallace said. Jenson nodded with a grin to Sam, but when he passed Iris, it turned into a leer that sent a shiver down her spine. They walked down the drive to the sidewalk and down three houses where their car sat. Iris hadn’t even seen it.
She steered Sam inside and closed the door behind them, making sure she threw the deadbolt and closed the front blinds. “Alright, pizza it is,” she conceded as she pulled out her cell and dialed the only pizza parlor in town. She kicked off her shoes and flopped down on the couch.
Sam set the basket on the kitchen table, and Iris watched as he walked slowly around the house, flipping lights on and looking at everything. He hadn’t been home in weeks, and the look in his eyes said he’d missed it more than he would ever admit. He stopped beside the family photo hanging on the wall and frowned, turning to her after she’d hung up.