Chapter 13

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It was a hot day, so Ella was glad when they pulled off the track, into a wooded area. They eventually came to a clearing, with a small stream, which led to a small pool. The sunlight, filtered through the trees, and gave everything, a golden glow.

Javier, reined in his horse, climbed off and hitched it to a tree.

He held out his arms to Ella. She put her hands on his shoulders, as he put his hands around her waist and lowered her to the ground.

Ella looked around, and smiled. "I've never been here before, its so peaceful"

"Sometimes, I come here for the quiet, or to fish" He said, as reached into the saddlebag.

Javier, pulled out Ella's gun. He held it up to the light, turning it this way and that.

"But today..." He said, checking the chamber was full.

Ella gasped, and look in horror, at Javier, then at the gun.

Javier frowned, as he saw the look on Ella's face. As he walked towards her, she stepped back, only to find her back against a tree, her hands gripped the trunk.

"What's the matter, chica?" Javier looked, at Ella, then at the gun. "You thought, I was going to shoot you?" He laughed, and turned the gun round so that the handle, was facing towards Ella.

"I don't know why you thought that, chica. You are far to pretty to be shot." He winked at Ella, and waited for her to take the gun.

Ella felt her face burning, as she blushed. She held out her hand to take the gun, not sure whether it was from feeling stupid for thinking Javier was about to shoot her, or the compliment.

Javier, walked over to a large tree. Pulling out his knife, he marked the bark, with a large X.

He walked back, to where Ella was standing.

"That will be your target, chica. Let's see what you've got." he said, smiling.

Ella raised the gun, and pointed it at the tree. As she did her hand, started to shake.

Javier grinned, "why so nervous, chica. It's only a tree."

Before she could say anything, Javier walked up behind her, wrapped his left arm around her waist, and steadied her right arm, with his.

Ella could feel his breath on her neck, and it sent tingles down her spine. If this was supposed to calm her, it was doing the opposite.

"Concentrate on your aim, chica." he whispered in her ear, "then gently squeeze the trigger."

Ella, took a deep breath, closed one eye, then squeezed the trigger. She saw a piece of bark, fly off the tree, which Javier had marked.

Javier smiled, and gently kissed Ella's neck "Perfecto. Now chica, you must try on your own."

He released his arm from Ella's waist, and released his hand from her right arm. He traced his forefinger, slowly up her right arm, before taking a step back.

Ella could feel her heart beating in her chest. She wasn't sure if it was from firing the gun, or from Javier's delicate touch.

Ella took a deep breath, and aimed again, at the tree. Her hand wasn't shaking now. She gently squeezed the trigger, like before. Bark flew off the marked tree.

"Bellísimo, chica. You are a natural." Javier exclaimed, "now, we should really get back, Dutch will be missing you." He said, as he took the gun.

Ella sighed, "can we stay here a little longer, I like it, and Dutch seems really busy, he's probably not even noticed I've been gone."

Javier, walked back to his horse, "In that case, chica. I will try, and keep you entertained."

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