animals on toward the ridge. Casey realized she must end Grant’s folly no matter what the cost.
“Over there.” Bonnie pointed and pulled in the reins on her horse. “You can see him from that grassy area near the top of the hill,” she said. “There’s a clearing just beyond it.”
“Thanks.” Casey surveyed the hilltop. “Pray for me. I don’t want to say the wrong things.”
“Shawne, I’m confused about your concern over Grant’s target practice.”
“I know you are.” Casey’s gaze swept over Bonnie’s face. “But on this matter, you need to trust me until we have a chance to talk. I’ve waited too long to tell you and your family about me. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
She sunk her heels into her horse’s sides and left Bonnie behind. At the clearing, Grant spotted her and waved. “Afternoon, Shawne.” His wide smile revealed his infatuation with her. “What brings you out here?”
“To see you, naturally.” She dismounted and wrapped the reins around a sapling. “When I heard gunfire, Bonnie told me what you were doing.”
“Do you want to watch? I’m getting pretty good. Almost as good as Morgan.” He lifted his chin and gave her a half smile.
Now I see Morgan in him. “No, I’d rather talk.” She moved closer, wanting to see every muscle in his young face. He used a Smith and Wesson revolver, and a rifle leaned against a tree. “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
“You disapprove of me learning to shoot?” Grant filled the revolver with cartridges.
She sickened. “Depends on your reasons for doing it. There’s a rifle match going on next week to raise money for the town’s orphans, but nothing was said about a revolver.”
“Oh, I already entered. Mama signed me up.”
“Why are you doing this today?”
“Did my sister send you up here, or is she going to complain to Mama and Morgan?”
“Neither. I came on my own. Grant, guns can hurt people—kill people and make men selfish and greedy.”
He scowled. “In this country, a man needs to know how to use a revolver.” He set the target for the next round of shots.
“For what purpose?”
Grant chuckled. “You women are all alike.” He turned and fired into a burlap bull’s-eye nailed to a tree. The bullet lodged a few inches from the center.
“What can I say so you’ll see the mistake you’re making?” She feared angering him, but desperation for him to see the problems ahead urged her on. “This country is getting safer all the time. The time will come when none of us will have to worry about protecting ourselves.”
He laughed and spun the cartridge. The sound grated against her nerves. “Shawne, I might listen if I thought you knew what you were talking about. But you’re a woman and know nothing about a man’s world. Morgan of all people should have told you what happens when faced with dangerous men.”
“You mean outlaws? Don’t be too sure of that. I’ve lived most of my life where wits took over every breath I took.”
He turned, and she noticed his shoulders were already as broad as Morgan’s. “Can’t possibly be the same. A man has to do what he feels is right. My brother’s fast with a gun, and I don’t intend for him to outdo me.”
She took a deep breath and pushed aside the danger signals going off in her head. “If I proved to you I could handle myself with that Smith and Wesson, would you leave the revolver alone?”
“I might.” Amusement spread across his face. “Except I’m sure you can’t.”
A wagonload of ugly memories burdened her. She’d do anything to keep Grant from experiencing such nightmares. “All right, Grant. Give me the gun, and step back from the target.” She purposely backed up several feet from where he stood.
A smile played on his lips as he positioned himself to the side of her. “Don’t hurt yourself, Shawne. Do you want me to show you how it’s done?”
Casey ignored him. She raised the weapon and squeezed off five shots dead center in the target. With the revolver empty, she held out her hand for more cartridges. Grant strode her way and silently gave her a handful more. She skillfully filled the cleared chambers. His gaze focused on her, but she refused to look at him. Casey turned her back on the target, then whirled around and fired four more shots into the bullseye.
“I dare you to match that,” she said. “But I know you can’t. Of course, it’s a little different