Page 18 of Cannon

“This changes things. Whatever you prefer. You’re not going to bother me, so feel free to ask any question, even if you think it’s stupid.”

Ellie nodded and picked up her dishes. “Sounds good. I’m going to head back.”

Cannon waited until she left, then called Clara in.

“What would you like to know about the range? Have you ever shot a gun before? I’m happy to teach you when I can.”

Clara sat down in the chair beside him. “I had someone who tried to teach me years and years ago. I’m sure I’ve forgotten everything he said. Are there people my age who come there?”

“I have classes for all ages and the range is open to anyone eighteen and over. Kids ten and older can be there if they have a parent with them. Whiskey’s dad and uncles come by every so often to shoot. They like our range. Regina drops in, too. The area that Whiskey and his cousins are renting is the tactical area. There are buildings and pop-ups with people on them that you have to decide if the person popping up is a friend or foe before you shoot. The bail bonds require their employees to go through the range and practice multiple times to keep their skills up.”

Clara leaned back and pulled her crocheting out. He waited to see if she had more questions. He’d been more awake today than since he’d come home. His pain was manageable right now. The pain pills made him, for lack of a better term, loopy. It was hard to concentrate.

“I think I’d like to learn. If something happened, I want to be able to defend myself or anyone with me.”

Clara with a gun. He could see it because she was strong willed.

“If you were just defending yourself, a little bit of instruction would be enough. If you would need to defend along with other people, it would take a lot more instruction. You’d need to practice situational awareness with where your bullet is going and making sure none of your friendlies are in the line of fire. I think we can easily get you to the first part.”

He bit his lip when a grin spread across her face and she sat up a little straighter.

“I’m glad you’re not one of those men who think women shouldn’t be doing that type of stuff.”

“Me too, because if I was, Jesse would probably do all sorts of horrible things to me until my attitude changed.”

Clara turned and stared at him. Uh-oh. He recognized her deep conversation look.

“Have you all discussed anything yet?”

“It’s been a day.”

Cannon had tried to keep the whine out of his voice but dang.

“Don’t get all whiny. I think you need another pain pill.”

Clara got up and walked into the kitchen for his medicine. He wasn’t whiny, but the pain was building. He probably should have taken his next dose at lunch, but he’d wanted to have a conversation with Ellie without the haze of the medicine.

Clara held out a pill and a drink. He glared, then tossed the pill in and washed it down with the drink.

“Don’t glare at me. You need to heal so you can fix this situation. Now, if you’re going to be a grump, why don’t you try to sleep. I’ll just sit here and crochet. And maybe figure out how you can dig yourself out of this mess.”

Clara’s grumbled words had him fighting back a laugh. He did need to fix the situation, but he was honestly happy about Jesse’s decree that they couldn’t talk about anything from before. It gave him a little reprieve. He was so scared to say anything and damage their relationship more.

Chapter Thirteen

Jesse sat on her bed, getting ready to go out in the front room. She and Cannon had been living together for a week. Although they’d eaten supper together every night, they hadn’t really discussed much. He’d been taking the pain pills, especially after he’d tried to get up and go to the bathroom without someone. Although he hadn’t fallen all the way to the floor, he’d hit the bedside table and jarred everything. After Flick had gotten after him, they’d decided unless the pain worsened, he should be okay.

Tonight, she was paying the kids for keeping the surprise. A movie night and sleepover, along with a little gift for all of them. She worried rewarding the kids for keeping the secret would bring all Cannon’s anger to the surface, but she’d promised the kids and wasn’t breaking her promise.

Flick and Beth were helping, so it wasn’t just her and Cannon. It was a blessing because Cannon wasn’t able to do much. Although Blake hadn’t been one keeping the secret, Jesse wasincluding her anyway because she didn’t want her to feel bad. Ellie’s boys had a camping trip with their summer program, or she would have included them too. So it was Phoebe, David, Grant, and Blake staying the night. Oakley, Georgia, Casper, and Joey were having a special night at Regina’s, so they didn’t feel left out.

Bear was dropping off pizza when he dropped the kids off. She heard the front door and headed out. No one knocked anymore. They just walked in since her house was now like Grand Central Station, with people coming and going at all hours. Her dad had been noticeably absent after he’d had the talk with her. He’d taken his turn with Cannon, but she hadn’t been around.

She walked in and immediately had children hugging her.

“Blake hasn’t felt the baby yet. Is it moving now?” Phoebe hugged her and then danced around the room while she asked.

“Sure, Blake, do you want to feel?”

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