Chapter 27
Alex let his breath out slowly through his chilled lips, the stillness in his body steadying the gun. His feet were shoulder-width on the frosty ground behind their house, arms straight in front of him. He and Etan’s father were much further back from the target on a bale of hay against the hillside than a couple of months ago, easily fifty feet instead of ten.
He squeezed the trigger, letting the revolver’s momentum carry it upward, then sighting the target again. Sharp, metallic gunpowder smoke filled his nose with every deep breath.
Four shots rang out. Five. Six.
Even at this distance, Alex saw every bullet strike within an inch of the bright red bull’s-eye. His new father-in-law clapped him on the back, and he heard Connor’s laughter through the earmuffs.
“Damn, son. I
