“He did. He stopped the man, and then he helped the wounded. I helped him.”
“You did?” Mrs. Brown’s eyes widened with surprise.
“I did. Put a tourniquet on and everything.”
Mrs. Brown gave her hand a squeeze. “Oh, Christie, I’m so proud of you. I didn’t know you had any sort of medical training.”
“I don’t, but Reed talked me through it.”
“Reed.” Mrs. Brown smiled. “What a nice name. He sounds like quite the hero. Is he handsome?”
“Oh, very,” Christie said, and felt a blush suffuse her cheeks.
“Built, too, I’ll wager,” Mrs. Brown said, arching an eyebrow.
“Yes. Very built.” Christie nodded, remembering the way his muscles flexed when he moved. The power he held in his body.
“Handsome, built, and a hero. A SEAL. Is he married?”
“No. I don’t think so. I didn’t see a ring.”
Her employer held a hand to her heart. “I think this was meant to be. Not just chance that brought you two together.”
Christie shrugged. “Maybe.” Hopefully…
“I also think it’s time you started dating,” the older woman said with a nod.
“Well, he hasn’t asked me. And I may never see him again.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. When it’s fated for two to meet, there is always a way.”
* * *
Tuesday went quietly,much like Monday, but on Wednesday, the bell over the door of the shop jingled, and Christine looked up from the flowers she was watering to see Reed entering the shop.
“Hello,” she said, her heart skittering faster.
“Hello, Christie,” he said. “How are you doing?”
“I’m good. Been working with my flowers.” She beamed at him. “I’m glad you found the shop. Are you here to place an order or pick up a bouquet? We have some lovely ones today.”
“Actually…” He stepped closer until he was standing near enough to touch, his gaze never leaving hers. “I came in looking for you.”
Christie blushed and dipped her head, feeling the heat rise in her neck and cheeks. “You did?”
“I did. I thought I’d invite you to the range for date night, if you’re interested.”
He’d come in looking for her to ask her out? She wanted to pinch herself.
Wait. Date night. Range?
She squeaked out the last word, before realizing she’d spoken out loud.
“Yes, the gun range. They have a couples’ date night. We’d be able to shoot and have dinner there. Saturday night, if you’d like to go.”
The concept was boggling her mind.People do this? This is a date thing?
“This Saturday. If you’re free.”
Oh, he kept talking because she hadn’t answered him. He was waiting for an answer, and her mind was in a spin. “I-I’ve never been to a gun range. I don’t know anything about guns.”
“That part’s easy. I’ll teach you.”
“Teach me to shoot guns?” Her voice was doing that squeaking thing again. Oh, why couldn’t she answer him normally without sounding like a mouse?
His lips twitched. “Yes, teach you to shoot guns. You can learn to shoot handguns or long guns, if you like rifles better. Anything you want to start with.”
“Oh. Wow.” Her eyes wide, she tried to wrap her head around the idea of this handsome Navy SEAL teaching her how to shoot guns. Images of old western movies where the hero taught the heroine how to shoot guns flooded into her head. The hero would put his arms around the heroine to show her how to shoot, and he’d be so close. Reed would be so close.
Longing wrestled with fear, her long-standing fear of guns. She stood silent while they wrestled.
