Matt squeezed her arm before she turned completely. “Hey…”
Jenny brushed it off, speaking over her shoulder, “I’ve got the daily checks to do until I’m told otherwise.”
“You don’t have to—” He scurried after her, shoveling the last bit of stew into his mouth. “Hey, come on…” Both of their bowls and utensils rattled in the bus pan. “Just…” Matt tried again, but she continued on her way. “Please, Jenny.”
“What?”
“Just give me a chance to talk to Danny and see what the plan is.”
“What plan?” Danny asked from in the soup line, both his hands readying his bowl for a portion of the stew. “You guys planning something?”
Jenny nudged Matt. “Go on. Tell him,”
Danny chuckled. “I think I already know, and I’ve already decided what I want to do.”
I figured as much. Expelling a curt breath, she waited for the people in front of Danny to carry their bowls off toward the fire. “Really, Danny?” Her annoyed tone slipped out, but at least she had kept it at a whisper. “I can’t believe—”
“I didn’t say either way yet.” He took a bite. “Don’t jump to conclusions.”
Jenny drew in a deep breath, sucking in the hope from those words. “Well…?”
“Come on, Danny,” Matt urged. “After downing that deer, you’re gonna keep her from this? She’s clearly able.”
“Like I said, I already made my mind up. I’m going to enjoy Jenny’s kill right here then maybe, just maybe, I’ll let you know.”
The smug look on Danny’s face dug under her skin. “Danny—”
“Get started on your checks.”
“So. There’s my answer.” Jenny nodded slowly, biting sharply into her bottom lip. “Alright…” She brushed past Matt, shuffling off toward the back of the Garden Center along another concrete path carved in the snow.
He told you no, and you took it. That’s what you just said you wouldn’t do. She drew in a sharp breath. Tell him you’re not doing the daily checks. Tell him you’re doing sentry duty or remaining on the scout team. You’re not taking no. Not today. Her steps slowed to a stop. For a moment, she watched Danny as he took his bowl and sat by himself on the edge of a raised garden bed. I’d better do it now before other people start to gather around him. Nervously, Jenny made her way back over to Danny.
“Hey, Danny…”
“Already finished with the checks?” He raised both eyebrows and smirked.
Jenny said nothing, unable to gather her thoughts from only a moment ago.
“No? Not finished?” Danny stressed the question.
Speak up! “Danny—”
“Look, last night you said you were going to listen to me no matter what, right? And you couldn’t even make it what ten, twelve hours?”
“I’m sorry, I just—”
“Why can’t you listen? Why?”
“Why can’t you listen to me for once?” she managed to keep her voice down, calm, focused. “I understand why you think I shouldn’t be on the scout team, so I thought up another idea, something I think we can both agree to.”
“I’m listening…” He shoveled another spoonful in his mouth.
“Why don’t you let me and Derrick switch spots? Derrick’s already trained for scouting and I can manage a post on the roof. I’ve already proven I have a good shot. Plus, I’d be close to home for meals and rest. It works out for everyone. There’s no reason we can’t—”
“I see you’ve actually put some thought into this.” Danny set his bowl down on the ledge next to him. “But even still, you’re not doing sentry duty”
“You can’t keep me—”
“From being on my scout team?”
“I wasn’t going to say that.”
“Good, I don’t want to keep you from the team.”
Jenny’s face beamed. “Really? And Griffin’s okay with me not doing checks?”
“He didn’t fight me on it, so yes, you’re still on the team.”
She cocked her head sideways expecting a different truth to come out.
“Really.” Playfully, Danny stole the sock hat from her head. “And I’m serious, you better start listening, damn it. First things first…”
“I’m listening.”
“Go get Sherman from my room then check your firearms out for the day.” He handed his keys over to Jenny. “Don’t lose ‘em.”
Jenny fumbled through the crowded keyring.
“That one there,” Danny said, “and don’t get any ideas of snooping around with my master set. We have training to do.”
Chapter Six
Trudging forward, Jenny pried each boot loose from the snow—one miserable step followed by the next. Danny and Sherman seemed unhindered in their movements. Jenny, however, was falling behind, winded already from her effort in keeping up. Getting close. Just suck it up a bit longer. She took a deliberate eye to her surroundings. I think… With each bend in their path, she was beginning to doubt her judgment. The wooded trail to the training grounds seemed longer than before. Nothing seemed to trigger familiarity. Any landmark hidden or disguised by snow. The little nuances gone. Everything changed by the season. Danny knows where he’s going. Focus on you—what you need to be doing.
“You look good with that rifle,” Danny called back to her.
“I know.” She canted her M1A Scout rifle, admiring it—the walnut stock, polished, beautiful. A little heavier than an average rifle, but she loved it.
Over a month ago, when they first went out to fire it, Danny tried to warn her. But of course, Jenny thought he was teasing, or simply overexaggerating what was to come. Unsurprisingly, he let her try it her way—the way she insisted—with her sloppy stance, her loose grip. It took only one press of the trigger and she found out the truth while falling to her ass. Danny never teased when it came to firearms.
Luckily for her, it didn’t take long for Danny to fix her issues and the bruise on her face to heal. The lesson was learned. Now, the rifle was hers. Assigned to her. Perfect for her. Efficient and deadly with her.
While walking, she tried to cover the endless list of things Danny inundated her with every day.Finger off the trigger unless you’re ready to shoot your target. Keep it at a low ready, but able to snap on target in an instant. Be vigilant, but not scared. Breathe. Reload behind cover. Know what cover’s available. Always know your next move, where you’re going.
Danny stopped and turned back toward her, squinting into the sun. “Only a little bit longer.” He watched her as she made up the ground between them. “Good grip. And, not pointing it at the people in front you. Things seem to be finally sinking in with you.”
“I learned from the best…” She slid the kerchief from her mouth and leaned in toward him, whispering, “Or is it just the only person left? I can’t remember.”
“Both?” He chuckled, flipping the kerchief back over her smiling face. “Better tighten that thing up. Not even your big nose can keep it in place.”
“Big nose? You’re one to talk…”
“Maybe you’re right…”—he pinched along the bridge of his nose—“Oh, well.” Shrugging his rucksack to the ground, he began sorting through his equipment. “Alright, kiddo, you ready?”
Jenny nodded, struggling to convey a cool exterior. Why does this happen every time? Her nervousness, her fear of failure took grip. Get it together, Jenny. It’s just Sherman. It’s just Danny. It’s training, Jenny, training.
“Do me a favor and take a couple breaths,” Danny said. “Long ones. I can see it in your eyes already. Don’t be too eager for this, alright?”