Page 65 of Pistol Perfect
Chapter 21
On a Saturday eveningseveral weeks later, they gathered around the table after the girls had been settled in for the night.
“It’s high time we open this pistol case and see exactly what it says.”
Carol had not taken no for an answer, and while Mabel didn’t want to ever touch the pistol again, she agreed with James that it was better to educate herself and face her fears. She’d already signed up for shooting lessons from Ames Palmer, who offered them at the Olympic training center just outside of Sweet Water.
Still, her hands trembled as she clasped them on the table in front of her while Carol set the rich-looking case down in front of her. James sat beside her, his steady presence giving her strength and calm as she took a deep breath.
“After you open it, I have a paper that the woman who told me about it gave me. She did some research on it.”
“A paper?” Mabel asked, her hands stilling on the clasp.
“It has some information on it about the other owners of the gun.”
“Oh.” Mabel assumed they must have gotten married, too? She wasn’t sure.
Her fingers trembled as she undid the clasp and carefully opened the case, showing the pink-handled pistol that lay nestled in the deep velvet lining. It was a bit worn, but nothing like she would have expected for a piece that was more than a hundred years old.
Without touching the pistol, she gently fingered the lining, feeling goose bumps rise up on her arms at the thought of touching something that belonged to Annie Oakley. Maybe it was the thought of all the women who came after. Strong women who found love, just like she had.
Only she hadn’t told James she loved him.
He’d worked alongside her, as her assistant, with Denise, with the girls, and doing the household chores. He’d supported her in everything she did. Which, of course, made her try to do everything she could to support him. All he seemed to want was to spend time with her and the girls. It made her heart happy.
Feeling something crinkle under her fingers, she found a small pocket and pulled out two pieces of paper.
Carefully, she opened the first one and spread it out on the table, reading aloud.
She who possesses this pistol possesses an opportunity that must not be squandered. Cast in the tender dreams of maidens from ages past, the steel of this weapon is steadfast and true and will lead an unmarried woman to a man forged from the same virtuous elements. One need only fit her hand to the grip and open her heart to activate the promise for which this pistol was fashioned—the promise of true love. Patience and courage will illuminate her path. Hope and faith will guide her steps until her heart finds its home.
Once the promise is fulfilled, the bearer must release the pistol and pass it to another or risk losing what she has found.
Accept the gift...or not.
Believe its promise...or not.
But hoard the pistol for personal gain...and lose what you hold most dear.
Mabel tried to swallow, but her throat felt like sandpaper.
It very well could be a matchmaking pistol. She raised her eyes slowly and met James’s gaze. There was so much in his eyes. So much tenderness and compassion, so much admiration and love.
She looked back down, touching her fingers to the handle of the pistol before she wrapped them around it, willing herself to not be afraid.
As she gripped the gun, careful to point it away from any bodies, it seemed to warm her hand and create a trail of warmth that went straight to her heart.
“I love you,” she said suddenly, looking right at James. The words ripped out. She couldn’t hold them in even if she wanted to, which she didn’t.