Chapter 7

“It’s got a bit of a kick,” he said.

“A bitof a kick? That almost knocked me flat!”

“Try again.”

“No thanks,” she said, trying to hand the gun back to him.

“I told you this is for your own good.”

“Well, if they’re coming after me, they won’t be that far away, will they? Likely, I’ll be shooting in point-blank range.”

“You should still be comfortable with a gun. Here, turn around.”

Eliza sighed, turning her back to him. What he said did make sense, but her arms still ached from the last shot. He stepped behind her, pressing his bare chest against her back, and gripping her hands.

“Now, aim like you did before.”

Eliza didn’t think she would be able to aim at a horse one foot away, much less a tiny tree a hundred feet away, with him breathing down her neck. The heat from his body nearly singed her, and she could smell the tantalizing combination of soap and sweat drift from him. Despite the heady distractions, she aimed for the tree, standing with her arms straight out.