Chapter 13

It might not look like it, but Maggie was sweating. It took a lot of strength to hold a nine-pound shotgun for as long as she did. Landry was safe. He was reunited with his family and now it was a case for the FBI. No matter how much she wanted to stay and be near Hunter, she had goals of her own to pursue. No man, no matter how hot he was or how kind he was, was going to stand in her way of accomplishing it.

Maggie had learned a long time ago that men expected certain things from her. Yes, she liked to wear pearls and cute dresses and sip fruity drinks. No, that didn't mean she wanted to earn her Mrs. degree in college. She had plans. Goals. Dreams. The right man would support them, not dismiss them or tell her they were silly.

Maggie set the app on her phone that controlled the trap machine. She let all thoughts of men fall from her mind as she focused on her training.

The muted sound of clapping drew her from her focus after she completed a set of clays. Maggie pulled the earplugs from her ears and turned, expecting to see her father.

"Hunter," she said with surprise. Damn, he looked good. He was in thigh-hugging jeans and a tight black athletic T-shirt with ARMY written across the front in dark charcoal gray. "What are you doing here?"

"Let's talk later. How about we shoot now?"

Maggie smiled. Her heart began to race. "You mean, like a competition between us?"

Maggie was close to turning to goo when Hunter returned her smile. If this was what it was like to be the center of Hunter's attention, she might not survive.

"Yes, like a competition. Do you have an extra shotgun I can use?"

"Shotgun might not be fair. Want to use a rifle instead?"

"Minx. You'll kick my ass either way. At least let me pretend to blame it on my lack of experience with the shotgun."

Her breath came in fast and shallow. He complimented her and he didn't seem upset about it. She didn't know many men who could handle being beaten by her. This was a real test and for the first time, Maggie realized Hunter might actually pass it.

"Here you go. You can use mine." Maggie said, handing her pink shotgun to Hunter with a smirk. "I'll use my backup."

Maggie handed him her shotgun and then went to her truck and unlocked the gun safe, pulling out her backup.

"So, how do we do this?" Hunter asked, inspecting the weapon like a pro.

"That shotgun is a 12 gauge semi-automatic so we load three shells each round. I'll set a duel shot on the clays. We'll alternate three shots each. We'll do that for three cycles. Guests first." Maggie handed him the shotgun shells and pointed to the field. "Ready?"

She got a little nervous when Hunter loaded the gun easily. The nerves turned into pure lust at the sight of him lifting her gun to his shoulder and taking his stance. His jeans should be illegal. The way his ass filled them out and the way his package . . .

"Pull."

Oh, yeah. Competition. Maggie pressed the button in the app and then assumed her position. The first round was on the easy setting. The second round would be hard. The third would be elite. Hunter shot the clays down handily. Maggie barely looked and got her three.

In the second round, Hunter clipped the last clay. It counted, but barely. She got her three easily.

Hunter looked serious as he focused on the field. He got the first one, barely got the second, and missed the third. Maggie didn't have time to worry about his ego as her first clay went flying. She hit all three and prepared to see his reaction.

Maggie ejected her last shell, put the safety on her gun, and then set it on the table before looking at Hunter. Instead of the scowl she expected, he was grinning.

"You're going to win gold."

That was the sexiest thing Hunter could say to her. "I hope so. Trap is in my blood. Air rifle has been a little harder."

"Yet you're ranked number one."

"Still not as comfortably as I'd like."

She watched as Hunter secured his gun and set it on the table next to hers. "What happened to your hand?" His knuckles were red as he secured his weapon.

"Just a discussion with someone."

"Discussions involve words, not fists."

"This one didn't. So, do you want some help with the rifle?"

"Really?" Maggie asked.

"Yeah. I don't know how much I can really do, considering it's an air rifle and not a military rifle. But why don't you show me? I like to see you shoot anyway. You're beautiful when you do. Your focus is unlike anything I've ever seen."

The compliment actually made her feel shy. "Thank you. I'd like your opinion."

"Then you can give me some tips. My shotgun aiming could use some work."

Maggie smiled and rattled off all the tips she had. She'd already cataloged them. She didn't think Hunter would ask. Instead of playing the dumb female, Maggie told him how it was. To her surprise, he listened, asked questions, and then thanked her.

Thirty minutes later, Maggie's whole worldview had changed. Well, at least in terms of rifle shooting. She had to give Hunter credit. He was a damn good technical teacher. She might, well, she did outshoot him, but he saw things even her coach missed.

Maggie sat back and stared at the target. It looked as if two, maybe three, holes appeared on the paper. It certainly didn't match the thirty or more shots she'd fired. "I've never been so consistent. Thank you, Hunter. You just got me an Olympic medal."

Hunter smiled but shook his head. "Nah, that was all you. But I do want to give you something. To say I'm sorry for being such an ass."

"You don't have to do that. Well, okay, maybe you do," Maggie laughed as she watched Hunter stride off to his truck.

He reached into the back of his truck and paused. "Close your eyes, Mags. No peeking."

Maggie closed her eyes and heard Hunter walking toward her. She heard him move something in his hands. Most men would give her jewelry or flowers to say sorry. She didn't know why, but she'd be disappointed in Hunter if he went that route.

"Open your eyes." Maggie's heart sped up at the sound of nervousness in his voice. It was sweet and whatever he did it was clear he put thought into it.

Maggie opened her eyes and blinked. Her hand went to her mouth as she stared. "Oh, Hunter."

Hunter shifted nervously. "Do you like them? I'm sure you have something for the Olympics—"

"I do, but nothing as pretty as these," she said reaching out to trace her name on the quilt covered gun cases. The pink one was for her air rifle and the teal one was for her shotgun. They'd managed to put the bright, happy, cheery fabric over the hard gun carrying cases. The pink one was covered in pale white paisley with the Olympic rings right in the middle of the case and her name in purple script beneath it. The teal one also had the matching pale white paisley print, the Olympic rings, and her name in purple script.

They were perfect. "Oh my gosh, Hunter. These cases are top of the line. I've never seen them available to the public before."

"They're not available to the general public, but I pulled some military favors. The metal is thin and light but more durable than any plastic case and completely bulletproof."

Hunter looked so proud and he should be. This was the most perfect gift any man had ever given her. "They're beautiful. I can't wait to use them. Thank you."

Maggie rose up and kissed his cheek. She loved the way he blushed slightly. She hadn't expected that from the rough and tough Hunter. "I thought about jewelry, but it didn't seem like you. I mean, you actually only wear a few family pieces all the time, so I figured you weren't one of those women who had to have stacks of jewelry."

Maggie smiled up at him. How was someone so masculine, so tall, so muscular, able to look so worried over a gift? "You're absolutely right. I love them, Hunter. Thank you."

Hunter returned her smile. "So, good enough for you to forgive me for being a jackass and to give me a chance to start over?"

"Hmm?" Maggie tapped her finger to her chin as if she were thinking about it. "I was really hoping for some groveling."

She could see the conflict race across his face. She was teasing him, but then Hunter set down the cases and dropped to his knees. "Magnum Bell, I was a complete ass and judged you before I got to know you. I'm so very sorry. If you forgive me, I'd love to take you out on a date tomorrow night."

Hunter Townsend on his knees before her was a sight to behold. Then he smirked and licked his lips as his eyes scanned her body and heat flooded her face . . . and elsewhere.

"Oh yeah, you look really sorry," she said with a laugh. "But yes, you're forgiven." Maggie held out her hand. "Hi. I'm Maggie Bell."

Hunter took her hand and placed his lips on her knuckles. Her breathing became erratic. How was it possible to be that turned on by a kiss on her hand? But she was. And Hunter knew it.

"Hunter Townsend. I'm looking forward to taking you," he said, then paused as she forgot to breathe at the heat in his eyes, "to dinner."

Maggie smacked his shoulder gently. "It's a good thing you're so good at apologizing or I wouldn't have said yes."

Hunter laughed and stood up, but didn't let go of her one hand. Instead, he ran his thumb over her hand and kept his eyes locked with hers. "I'll pick you up at seven. Should we eat at Kerri's?" he asked of the nice restaurant next to Harper's Bar.

"I would love to. Kerri said she has a new summer menu out and I can't wait to try it." Hunter dropped her hand and Maggie instantly missed it. "Thank you for the apology, Hunter," she said sincerely.

"I'm sorry you ever needed one. I'll make it up to you. I'll see you tomorrow, Mags."

Maggie watched as Hunter drove off. Her heart was doing flips and there was no way she'd be able to keep the smile off her face. A golf cart appeared not long after and Gage pulled up to her. He glanced down at the cases and frowned.

"You forgave him, didn't you?" Gage asked.

"Yes, I did. He asked me out on a date tomorrow night. Are you mad?" Maggie asked. She wouldn't say no based on her brother's opinion, but it would put a damper on it. After all, he'd dated some doozies before after she warned him off them.

Gage's lips thinned. "He's different from the others, you know?"

"I know," Maggie answered seriously.

"I only care if you're happy and so far, he's only made you mad. You're my little sister and I love you."

Maggie leaned into the golf cart and hugged her brother. "I love you too."

"Mom and Dad like him," Gage admitted. That made Maggie smile and Gage roll his eyes. "He better not break your heart."

"It's dinner, not marriage," Maggie said with a laugh. "Now, how about a little shooting? I can't wait to show you what Hunter helped me with."