by N. C. Reed
“Next!” Clay called. Next was Leon, who struggled only a little, Gordy who didn't have any troubles, and Abigail. Finally, he turned to Lainie, startling her.
“Me?”
“Yes, you,” he nodded. “You've been watching. Impress me,” he dared her. Taking the challenge, she accepted the rifle and magazine. It was ungainly to her, but she quickly got it under control, seating the magazine in the well and slamming it home. The bolt was stiffer than she had anticipated and that caused her trouble but she got it on the second try. She then unloaded it without being told, handing it back to Clay with the slightest hint of a smirk.
“All right,” Clay nodded. “Gordy, Abby, set targets. Do all of them to save time. We 'll load magazines while you do that.”
Ten minutes later the targets were set and it was time to shoot. Leanne and Leon were first. Hearing and eye protection in place, Clay instructed them on how to use the holographic sights since they knew already how to use the iron sights.
“Fire when you're ready,” Clay ordered and backed away.
And so it went. The two younger member fired fifty rounds apiece, Leanne stopping as her shoulder began to hurt and Leon because Clay told him to. Their targets had strikes all over the place but for fifteen year old shooters who had never fired an M-4 it was good shooting.
Gordy and Abby were next and did better just by virtue of having more experience. Fifty rounds flew by for them and left both wanting more. Clay provided it, allowing them to shoot another fifty before halting.
“Our turn,” he told them. He had already explained using the sights to Lainie so now was just a brief lesson in the holo sight and she was ready.
Clay waited as she fired twenty rounds down range, the first five or six flying on her but then she settled down as he coached her and began to pit the target inside the 6 ring, completely acceptable for a newcomer. Once she had fired a second magazine she had settled down even more and was placing her shots in the 7 ring for the most part.
Once she was done, Clay raised his own rifle and cranked out a full twenty rounds in about fifteen seconds. Changing magazines in a flash he switched targets and did it again. One more change and he slowed down, shooting both targets again, this time in the head.
“Holy sh-cow,” Gordy caught himself at the last minute.
“Wow,” Abby whistled.
“Do it again!” Leon shouted.
“No, once is enough,” Clay smiled. “Just to make sure I knocked the rust off. Now, on to something else,” he told them.
He opened another case and removed an AK47.
“Kalashnikov,” Leon said aloud.
“The real deal,” Clay agreed. “Easier to maintain and care for than an AR platform, and much less picky about what it eats. Shoots,” he amended when he got more than one blank look. “Watch.”
He ran through the same steps again for the new gun, familiarizing them with the action and the safety. Each once more had to load and then unload the unfamiliar weapon, and then they were shooting again.
“This round is heavier, so expect more of a kick,” he warned. “Keep the rifle tight to you to help with the recoil.”
With heavier shot and already sore shoulders the results were not as good this time, but it still wasn't bad. Typically, Abby did better than the rest, including her brother. Lainie did passably well, about as good as the twins, and Clay once more shot rings around them.
“All right,” he told them. “On to something else.” He opened one last case and removed a handgun.
“Yes!” Leon and Gordy both cheered.
“This is a Springfield Armory XD-S nine-millimeter pistol. It's a compact model that is easily concealed and has a seven-round magazine. The smaller grip makes it easier for those who don't have a strong wrist or grip to handle the recoil.” He laid it aside.
“This is the Service Model, XD, also in nine millimeter,” he held up a larger pistol. “This one takes a sixteen-round magazine. Both operate similarly, so pay attention.” He showed them all how to load, unload and safe the pistol, going through the entire thing twice before making each of them do the same thing.
“Lainie would probably be better off with the compact model,” Abby said as they got ready to shoot. “I wouldn't think a nightclub manager would have that strong a grip.”
Clay felt his teeth grit and was about to turn on his niece in a minor explosion when he heard Lainie's syrupy sweet reply;
“Don't worry 'bout me, sugar,” the red head drawled. “I'm plenty strong enough to hang on to what's mine.”
“Well that's you told, now ain't it,” Gordy sneered. “Way to go Lainie!” he high-fived the redhead.
“Humph,” Abby turned her nose up but wisely kept silent. Clay produced two more pistols, one each, and handed the compact models to the twins while the service models went to the older siblings.
“Here we go,” he told them as everyone lined up. “Load 'em up!” They did so. “Fire when ready!”
The four of them spent the next twenty minutes familiarizing themselves with the handguns, loading and firing. Afterward he and Lainie took a turn, Lainie shooting the service model without any noticeable difficulty. Once the two of them had finished Clay checked his watch and realized it was almost lunch.
“All right, that's enough,” he said to a collection of groans. “I know, I know. We 'll do it again. Let's police up this brass! Come on now!”
That done they were on their way back. Clay had made sure that the four of them would be able to use the necessary weapons if the need arose. And that Lainie could too, even if she didn't believe.
-
Clay spent that afternoon cleaning the weapons they had used with Lainie alternating between watching him to learn what he was doing and cooking supper for them. She enjoyed cooking and Clay had a nice if small kitchen.
“Smells good,” he told her.
“Beef roast cooked in red wine, with potatoes and carrots,” she beamed. “And cornbread,” she added.
“Sounds good too,” he agreed as he finished assembling the last pistol. “And done,” he told her, storing the weapons back in their cases.
“I noticed you took a great deal of care in how you did that today,” she said once he was finished. “It's important to you that they know how to do all that, isn't it?”
“Ideally, I'd have had them cleaning the guns, even,” he nodded. “But there should be time for that later on. The important thing is for them to be able to protect themselves.” He looked at her.
“Do you have a gun permit?” he asked her.
“No,” she shook her head.
“You should get one, especially if you keep traveling back and forth between here and Nashville,” he told her. “You can get one at the Department of Safety once you take a safety course.”
“You really think I need one?” she asked.
“I think it couldn't hurt.”
-
“That's interesting,” Leon Two said more to himself than aloud.
“What is?” Leanne looked up from her homework. “What are you looking at?”
“Solar cycle is approaching a minimum,” he told her. “And yet the activity is picking up. That's odd.”
“Bad odd?” Leanne asked.
“I don't know,” he admitted. “I mean, according to the cyclic pattern, this shouldn't really be happening, but it is. Considering that, I'd have to say there's at least potential for it to be bad. But right now, it's just an oddity.”
“So, nothing we need to sound the alarm over?” she asked, eyeing her phone.
“No, I don't think so,” he shook his head. “I've got programs running to let us know if there's anything problematic, and like I said, for now it's just an oddity.”
“Okay.”
The two continued to watch for another five minutes as data continued to come in. Finally, they both turned to other things, but in the back of their minds, they kept returning to that 'oddity'. And what it might mean.
&nb
sp; CHAPTER TWELVE
-
Clay spent a large part of Thursday teaching Lainie to ride. She had never been on a horse but wanted to learn, so he had saddled a gentle mare and taught her to ride. Once she had mastered the basics he had saddled his own horse and the two had ridden the ranch together, him showing her everything there was to see. It was a fun day that left them tired but happy, and Lainie with a new skill. She had fielded a call from Brick, assuring him she was fine and hearing that everything there was okay. The two had ended their evening with popcorn and a movie.
On Friday Clay had driven Lainie around the area, showing her old haunts and pretty places. Several people had noted them in Jordan and he was certain more than one had wondered who the hot redhead with 'that Sanders boy' was, but he wasn't interested in that.
Soon though it was nearing game time.
“Ever been to a high school football game?” Clay asked her.
“Not even when I was in high school,” she shook her head.
“Well, we're going to one tonight,” he told her. “Home game at least so we don't have to go too far. Just over to Peabody.”
“Okay,” she nodded. “Is there a dress code?”
“You look great no matter what you wear,” he told her and she blushed a deep red at that but hid it from him. “But no. If you've got a dark blue shirt, that would look about right. Do you have a jacket?” he asked.
“A light one,” she nodded.
“Might be cool tonight, so better bring it,” he told her. “I've got a long-sleeved flannel shirt you can wear over your tee shirt if you want. We'll carry a stadium blanket in case our legs get cold.”
She knew he meant in case her legs got cold, but loved him all the more for saying it.
“Will Abigail be there?” she asked idly.
“Almost certainly, along with Samantha Walters unless I'm extraordinarily lucky,” he grimaced.
“Don't worry about that,” she told him. “Like I said, I can take care of myself. It won't be a problem.”
-
“Never been to a football game?” Angela asked as Lainie winced at a particularly hard blow.
“Not a high school game,” Lainie shook her head. “I usually go to Titans games,” she added without looking around.
“You do?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “I own stock in Nissan. They lease the field where the Titans play.”
“I see,” Angela was taken aback a bit by that and sat back. Gordon tried not to smirk and was mostly successful.
Calhoun went to the locker room down four points at the half. They had struggled through the first half, giving up two touchdowns.
“Gordy's having a rough game,” Gordon mentioned.
“I'm going to the ladies room,” Lainie told Clay.
“I'll walk you down,” he told her. “I'd like to get some popcorn.”
“Okay.”
The restrooms were on each end of the concession stand, so while Lainie was using the restroom Clay got popcorn and a drink for them to share. As he turned away with his purchase, who would he run into but Amy Mitchell.
“Hello again,” Clay smiled.
“Hello, Clay,” Amy smiled. “How are you?”
“I'm good, and you?” Clay replied.
“Just a little cool,” she shrugged. “Good game so far, though,” she added. “Your nephew is looking good out there.”
“Yeah, but they're gonna have to step it up,” Clay nodded as Lainie walked up. “Hey,” he grinned.
“Well, it was good to see you again,” he told Amy. “Have a good evening.”
“You too,” Amy's smile had weakened some at the sight of Lainie, but Clay hadn't noted that.
“I can't leave you alone for a minute, can I Cowboy?” Lainie teased as she popped some of the popcorn into her mouth. “Hey, that's good,” she noted.
“That was the waitress from the diner I was telling you about,” he explained. “She wasn't overly nice to me for a while after it happened. I think she feels guilty about it now so she tries to be nice to me when she sees me,” he shrugged.
“If you think that's the only reason she's being nice to you, you're-” she cut herself off short.
“Crazy?” he grinned at her. “Remember. It didn't happen. We agreed.”
“Then you're crazy,” she nodded firmly. “She likes you.”
“I doubt it,” he shook his head. “But it doesn't matter.”
Abigail didn't have Samantha Walters with her tonight he had been glad to see. He didn't know if she was working or if maybe Abby had told her about Lainie or what, and he didn't really care.
The second half was a better game for Calhoun as Gordy and the defense came out roaring, smothering the opposing offense on their first possession and getting the ball back on a fumble recovery after Gordy jarred the ball loose with a particularly hard hit.
Soon Calhoun was ahead and never looked back. The game was never in doubt after the first exchange as Gordy and company shut down the other side and their own offense remembered how to find the end zone. By the end of the game Calhoun was up by twenty-seven points and their freshmen were playing out the clock.
“Great game,” Lainie said as they were walking back to Clay's truck.
“Gordy's looking good,” Clay nodded. “Did you see the guy in the orange coat on top of the press box?”
“Hard to miss,” Lainie nodded.
“Defensive coordinator for the Volunteers,” Clay told her. “Here to look Gordy over again. That's twice this season, and twice last season. He's almost a sure thing for a full ride to UT.”
“Good for him,” Lainie nodded. “He want to go pro?”
“No,” Clay shook his head. “No, he just wants an education in agribusiness and UT has one of the best programs around. Once he gets that, he 'll be back running the farm I imagine.”
“Sounds like a man with a plan.”
“Hungry?” he asked once they were in the truck.
“I am a little, yeah,” she nodded. “You know I'm usually working on Fridays. This is a real treat.”
“It's too late probably to get a plate dinner, so is fast food okay?”
“I'm a cheap date, remember,” she laughed. “Burger and fries is fine with me.”
-
“What are you doing?” Leanne asked as her brother was typing frantically.
“I'm checking this anomaly,” he told her. “It's still. . .odd,” he settled for saying.
“Is it worse?” she asked.
“I can't say it is, but it's no better, either,” he chewed on his lip. “I don't know enough about this,” he muttered more than said.
“What are the boards saying about it?” Leanne asked. “They follow this stuff all the time.”
“They all agree it's unusual but not unheard of,” Leon replied. “Essentially, they don't know either,” he translated. “Some say it's happened before but they don't offer anything to back that up. Others say that the ones worrying are just blowing things out of proportion.”
“But you think it's something,” Leanne pressed.
“I don't know what to think,” he admitted. “It's wrong. That's all I can tell you. It's all I know for sure. That it shouldn't be like this.”
“All we can do it watch it,” she told him. “Make sure our alert system is working. I'm going to bed.”
“Yeah, me too,” he nodded. “As soon as I make the checks. How about that game?”
“I'll be glad when the season is over to be honest,” Leanne admitted. “I love Gordy, but it's cold at night this time of year.”
“Next year we 'll be going to Neyland to watch him,” Leon told her.
“Will we?” she asked him.
He didn't answer her. He didn't know.
-
Clay and Lainie slept in on Saturday, not rising until after nine. Lainie was sore from having ridden on Thursday, her horseback lessons having taken a day or so to catch up to her.
“How can just r
iding make you so sore?” she groaned.
“It's not as simple as people think,” Clay nodded. He pushed her gently onto the bed and began to knead her muscles. The noises she made were a cross between what someone being tortured might make and the sounds that good chocolate elicit from a connoisseur of fine cocoa.
“Oh my God, you're hired,” she told him as he finished. “Whatever it is you want you can have.”
“I'll remember that,” he told her, smiling. “Go soak in the tub with the water as hot as you can stand it. I'll make us something to eat.”
An hour-and-a-half later she could at least walk without grimacing.
“What are we going to do?” she asked him.
“We're going to lay around and watch a movie or two,” he told her. “I've popped some popcorn and there's soft drinks. There's also lemonade if you'd rather. You can relax and recover today. It's been a full week for you and then some.”
“I'm not complaining,” she told him.
“Never thought it,” he assured her. “But you're sore, and probably tired. I'm tired myself of just running, so we take it easy and enjoy. Okay with you?”
“Fine with me.”
-
“Well I guess they're not coming out of there today,” Angela said, looking out her window toward Clay's cabin. “I just don't know what we're going to do about this,” she shook her head as she sat down at the table.
“We?” Gordon looked at her. “Don't put me in this. I don't see the problem, myself. She clearly adores him. Is good to him. Willing to give up her whole life for him. What more could you ask for?”
“A night club manager?” Angela looked scandalized. “What will people say?”
“What did they say when he killed a man at Lorrie's Diner?” Gordon pointed out. “You think who he spends his life with will top that discussion?”
“No,” she sighed. “That is true, I suppose. And honestly, she's a lovely girl. And very polite,” she nodded. “And yes, it is obvious how she feels about him.”
“Then let this alone, why don't you?” Gordon asked.
