The Blood Barn (Book #2 in trilogy)

Chapter 15: Friendly Competition

Our ride on the Triumph was perfect. We went up and down the country roads at a steady speed as we took in the scenic view the countryside had to offer.

We passed by a few farms that smelled really bad, so I knew Marta was probably gagging as she hung on to me. She never tapped me on the shoulder, so I knew she managed to get over the smell, and since she was such a good sport about it, I stopped at the gun range to show her where I had been training.

"What is this place, baby?" She asked with her helmet still on.

I turned off the bike to signal we were going inside.

"You'll see," I replied as I began to undo my helmet.

Once inside, she knew exactly where we were. She became super excited like a kid in a candy store.

"Baby, I didn't know we were coming here."

"Didn't you see the sign out front?" I asked her with a smile as we headed toward the front desk.

"No," she confessed. "I was not looking."

"Well I'm glad you like your surprise."

I paid for her pass and showed the desk attendant my membership so we could enter and then showed her the different areas.

"So what would you like to do first?" I asked as she looked through the glass window.

"Which one can I do, baby?"

"Any of them," I replied. "Bow and arrows, knives, guns. Even the crossbow."

"What is the crossbow?"

"It's similar to bow and arrows but it has a trigger. Basically it's a gun that shoots arrows."

"Oh." She seemed intrigued. "Can we do that one first?"

"Of course we can," I smiled. "We just have to put on protective gear."

I led the way to where the glasses and earmuffs were kept and then we headed out into the main hallway that led to each station.

Marta really enjoyed the crossbow. She was smiling the entire time as the female instructor helped her finally hit the bullseye.

"Baby, I hit it!" She announced with excitement.

"Good job, baby. Now it's my turn."

She watched on as I hit the bullseye in less shots, putting a bit of a damper on her excitement.

Scrunching up her face in defeat, she wasn't happy with me.

"What?" I laughed.

"You beat me," she pouted.

"There's three more events," I reminded her so she didn't become discouraged. "Let's see if you can beat me at something else." My challenge was met with eagerness.

Her frown turned into a smile as she replied, "Okay, baby. I'm going to beat you."

She got close with the bow, inching out my closest arrow.

"Two to one, baby," she bragged. "I told you I was going to beat you."

"Two?" I challenged. "You only get a point if you win, so it's one a piece."

Marta pouted. "You are making up rules, baby."

"Rules?" I laughed. "Baby, you only get a point if you win."

She continued to pout as we moved onto guns.

"Are you going to be mad at me all night if I beat you?" I asked.