Page 108 of Branded Hearts

“I’ll, uh, let you know.”

“Mhm. Don’t keep me waiting, Mitchell,” he replies with a smirk.

I flip him the finger, and he walks away, laughing to himself. I clock off at exactly three oh five and a thought springs to mind. Faulkner’s been on us about keeping our skills sharp, so I decide to head to the shooting range. I pack up my things and call out to the guys, “Laters.”

On my way, I stop by Madison’s Diner to pick up a few sweets, just because. Then I head to my next stop before the shooting range,hoping to catch her just before she leaves.

With any luck, I’ll see that smile that’s been stuck in my mind since the other night.

I pull up outside Koala Creek Primary School, right near the staff car park. It’s open, by the way. Not very safe at all. I spot her small Barina and park beside it. Hoping she doesn’t get called to stay back, I mentally cross my fingers, praying she’s available right now.

As if answering my prayers, I spot her in the distance, wearing blue flared jeans and a fluffy white knit top. My heart skips a beat. I wonder if she’ll notice it’s my car parked next to hers. She looks around, and when she sees me, a wide smile spreads across her face. She breaks into a run, and I open my arms just in time to catch her.

She hugs me tightly, and I lift her in the air, a shit-eating grin on my face.

I inhale her scent, that familiar mix of cherry blossom and something floral filling my senses, and I sigh contentedly.

“What are you doing here?”

“Thought I’d surprise you,” I reply, holding up the bag from Madison’s Diner. “Brought some pastries. Figured you might need a pick-me-up.”

She gives me a funny look. “What?”

“Who are you, and what have you done with grumpy Brad?” she says, looking around cautiously. I chuckle, shushing her, my tone serious.

“Can’t have anyone finding out.” I wink at her, and she scrunches up her adorable face shyly. “Come on, I want to take yousomewhere,” I say, pulling her to my car.

“Now? Where?” Her face lights up. “But I’m in my work clothes,” she says, pointing to her outfit.

“You look fine, Mills.”

She quickly puts her stuff into her car, locks it, and hops into my ute. “You guys should really have an automated gate to this carpark, you know,” I say with all seriousness.

“That was sopolice officerof you,” she giggles.

“Well, I’m just stating facts. It’s not safe. Anyone can just park up here and waltz onto the school grounds.”

“They close the metal gate during the day and open it in the mornings and afternoons,” she states. While personally, I’m not satisfied with that answer, I let it go for now.

We drive for about twenty minutes, heading out of town toward the shooting range. The place closes around five, so I don’t plan on her being here for too long. I just had a strong urge to bring her here.

It’s not the most romantic spot, I guess, but it’s meaningful to me.

From a young age, my father had taught my brother and me how to shoot, and when Liv got older, Xav and I taught her, too. Probably not ideal, but it wasournorm. Her face is marred with confusion as she looks around.

“Shooting range? What are we doing here?”

“My boss makes us come here every so often to sharpen up our skills, so I decided to come by this arvo and thought I’d bring you along with me. You know, to show you... what I do?” I say, scratching the back of my neck.

She looks at me, a mix of curiosity and excitement in her eyes. “Okay, sounds cool.”

I smile. “Okay. Let’s get inside before they close up.”

We make our way inside, the familiar smell of gunpowder and metal hitting my senses. I spot Mark, the owner, behind the counter, and I give him a nod. “Hey, Mark.”

“Bradley, good to see you back,” Mark says, a smile spreading across his face.

“Thanks. I brought a friend along. She’s just going to watch for a little while,” I explain, glancing at Amelia. Friend just sounds so out of sorts. I guess we’re athingnow, but what does that entail?

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