Page 72 of Flare
“Hey, Tony,” Ward greeted the silver-haired man behind the counter.“This is my friend Emily.”
“Hey, Ward, hi Emily. What can I do for you folks today?” Tony asked.
“We’re here to buy a handgun for Emily,” Ward told him.
“For self-defense?” Tony asked, his expression sympathetic as he looked at Emily.“Heard you had some trouble on Saturday with a stalker.”
Emily had almost forgotten how quickly news spread in a small town. She nodded, trying not to appear as uncomfortable as she felt.
“Follow me to the back,” he said.“We’ve got a shooting range where you can try out a few models.”
The shooting range was a long, narrow room with paper targets at one end. Emily’s heart raced as the store owner unlocked a cabinet and removed several handguns, placing them on a padded counter.
“For beginners, especially ladies, I usually recommend either a revolver or a compact 9mm,” he explained.“Revolvers are simpler to operate, but semi-automatics like a Glock give you more rounds.”
Ward stood slightly behind Emily, his presence reassuring.“Why don’t you pick up a few and see which one feels best in your hand?”
“First safety rule: never point a gun at anyone unless you intend to shoot them,” Tony cautioned.“Point it at the floor, even if you’re positive it’s unloaded.”
Emily tentatively picked up a small revolver. It felt heavier than she’d expected, and awkward in her grip.
“Try this one,” Ward suggested, handing her a matte black pistol.“It’s a Glock 43. Compact enough to carry easily but still effective.”
As soon as Emily wrapped her fingers around the grip, she knew it was a better fit. The weight felt balanced, and her hand didn’t strain to hold it properly.
“That looks good,” the store owner commented.“Want to try firing it?”
Emily’s mouth went dry.“I guess that’s why we’re here.”
Ward helped her with ear protection and safety glasses, then stood beside her, guiding her into a proper stance.
“Feet shoulder-width apart,” he instructed, his breath warm against her ear.“Both hands on the grip, dominant hand holding, other hand supporting.”
His body curved around hers as he helped position her arms, and despite her nervousness, Emily couldn’t help noticing how perfectly she fit against his broad chest. The thought vanished when Ward stepped back and nodded for her to try firing.
Her first shot went wide, the recoil stronger than she’d expected. By the fifth shot, however, she was at least hitting the paper target, if not anywhere near the center.
“I like the Glock best,” she told Ward after trying three different guns.
Ward nodded approvingly.“Good choice.”
When they approached the register, Emily reached for her wallet, but Ward placed his hand on hers.
“I’ve got this,” he said.
“Ward, I can’t let you—”
“Please.” His voice was firm but gentle.“Consider it an investment in your safety.”
Emily wanted to argue, but the intensity in his hazel eyes stopped her.“Thank you.”
She filled out the ATF paperwork, presented her ID, and passed the computerized background check in a matter of minutes.
Tony then spent the next hour showing her how to check whether her new firearm was unloaded, walking her through the Glock’s features, how to load and unload the magazine safely, how the safety worked. He finished by giving her a quick talk about safe transport laws, especially how to carry a gun in a vehicle.
Her head was spinning as they left the store with their purchases, plus a list of beginner safety courses and marksmanship training available in the area.
“Want to grab some lunch before heading to the ranch for some practice?” Ward asked.
