Page 56 of Rushing Into Love

Grabbing her hand, I dragged her off the bench and we headed over to the other side of the park with all the game booths.

“I’m an expert at these fair games,” I said, bragging. “Which one do you want to play?”

“So many choices,” she said, spinning around to take it all in. “How about the balloon one with the darts?”

“Great. My specialty.”

We headed to the booth and I paid for three rounds.

“Three?” Bree teased. “I thought you said you were an expert?” Hands on hips, she raised her eyebrows at me.

“I am. The other two rounds are for you,” I said, throwing out the first dart.

Direct hit.

“Only need four more in a row to win the little lady a prize!” the booth master sang out.

I shot the next four darts, making contact three of the times.

“Tough one, buddy!” the master shouted. “Only one dart left!”

I narrowed my eyes, leaned forward, and threw out my last dart.

“Bulls Eye! You win a prize!” the booth master called. “What’ll it be, little lady?” He waved a hand at the options hanging above.

Bree eyed them all, selecting a huge white teddy bear. The booth master hooked it and handed it to Bree, who hugged it tight.

“Thanks, Ryder. You are a good shot.” She leaned in and kissed me.

“Told ya. I hate to brag, but I’m kind of a big deal around these parts. You’re up,” I said, taking the bear from her.

She grinned and accepted the darts from the booth master. Taking aim for the center balloon, she wound up and threw the dart, missing all balloons by a mile.

I cocked an eyebrow at her. “Have you ever thrown a dart before?”

“Um, no, but how hard can it be?” she quipped, winding up again and launching dart number two. Another total miss.

“Kind of hard, I’m guessing,” I teased, grinning at her. “Want any pointers?”

“Nope, I’ve got this,” she said, biting her lip in concentration.

Dart three didn’t even make it to the board. She huffed a little, then threw darts four, five, and six. All whiffers.

“Now?” I asked. She shot me a baleful look, then nodded.

“Okay,” I said, setting the bear down on the counter and crossing over to her. I moved behind her, putting my hand on her waist. “First, you have to line up properly.” I squared her hips, then moved her right foot back slightly. “Then you pick your arm up like this,” I lifted her arm, angling it just so, “then you move your forearm and flick it from your wrist.” I demonstrated with my own wrist and she practiced a few times.

“Ready now?” I asked.

“Yes,” she said confidently. I stepped aside and she threw out her first dart.

It didn’t pop a balloon, but it did at least make contact with the board.

“Okay, that’s progress,” I said, encouraging her. “Try not to move your elbow.”

“Got it,” she said, winding up for throw two. She threw it out and hit a balloon.

“I did it!” she cried, jumping up and down.

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