Cera's Place by Elizabeth McKenna Read Free Book Online Page A

then put it into your shoulder. Don’t lower your head.” Jake adjusted the shotgun against Cera’s body. “Now make sure your legs are spread apart.”
    “Mr. Tanner...” Cera growled.
    “Let me finish, please. Your legs should be shoulder width apart and your left foot forward. Keep your knees slightly bent and your body loose. If you’re tense, the recoil will hurt more.” Jake made a few more adjustments. “Are you at ease?”
    Cera blew air from her cheeks in reply.
    “Fine, we’ll pretend you are. Now line the gun up with your target. You have to slap the trigger—it’s not like other guns where you need to squeeze. Give it a try when you’re ready.”
    As he lowered his arms, his hands casually brushed the sides of her body before he stepped away. Startled, she drew in a sharp breath and then glared at him with narrowed eyes.
    He didn’t seem to take notice of her annoyance, though. With a lift of his chin toward the target, he repeated, “Whenever you’re ready.”
    Turning her attention back to the tin cans, she followed his instructions and hit the first two. “Why, you’re right, Mr. Tanner,” she exclaimed, “that hardly hurt at all.”
    He rolled his eyes at her disbelief. “I’ve had some experience with shooting guns.”
    Cera nodded at the understatement. “Of course, you have. At any rate, I’m much obliged for the lesson, Mr. Tanner.”
    Cocking his head to the side, he asked, “How about if you repay me by calling me ‘Jake’ instead of ‘Mr. Tanner’?”
    “I don’t think that would be wise,” she replied with a shake of her head. “Now, if you will excuse me, I should be getting back to my customers.”
    “Fine, Miss Cera, but remember to reload that shotgun of yours. You wouldn’t want to be caught with your guard down.”
    Cera frowned at his words, but couldn’t find anything inherently wrong with them. Feeling she was being unnecessarily rude, she offered, “Why don’t you go get a drink. Tell ‘em it’s on my bill.”
    Shrugging, Jake offered her a tilted smile before heading for the door. While Cera reloaded the gun, her eyes skimmed his lanky form before he disappeared into the saloon. There was no doubt she liked what she saw, but there was also no use in liking it. She had a better chance of pulling a royal flush than succeeding in affairs of the heart.
    A few minutes later, when Cera entered the bar, she heard Ginger’s sugary laugh combined with Jake’s low one float across the room. A twinge of jealous panic ran through her. Infuriated with herself, she turned back toward the kitchen, bumping into Sonya on the way. “I’m sorry, Sonya, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
    Sonya put a comforting hand on Cera’s upper arm. “I know what you were watching and don’t you worry. From what I’ve seen, the soldier can’t take his eyes off you. He’s just being polite with Ginger.”
    “I told you, I’m not interested in him. He can talk to whomever he wants.” She pushed past Sonya and went into the kitchen.
    ****
    As Jake enjoyed Ginger’s company, he kept one eye on Cera. Ever since he had returned the locket to Sadie, he’d felt a new lightness in his being that intensified when the saloon owner was near. Though woefully out of practice when it came to the pursuit of a woman, he knew he needed to try.
    He let his mind wander, imagining the softness of Cera’s smooth skin against his own as he explored the angles and curves of her body. He thought of burying his hands in her shimmering auburn hair that reflected light like sparks from a fire. He was moving on to tasting her delicious mouth when he felt a sharp slap on the side of his head. “Ow! What’d you do that for?”
    Ginger’s red lips frowned. “Well, now, you ain’t even listening to me no more! You sure know how to hurt a girl’s feelings. You could at least pretend to be interested in what I’m saying.”
    “I’m sorry, I was just thinking…”
    “I know what you