"Mum, where are we going?" Riley asked her mother.
"You'll see."
"It's a surprise, baby girl," I looked back at the eight year old, "for your birthday."
"But I want to know now daddy."
I glanced at Ellie and smiled as we continued walking to a firing range Lucas had set up where he was testing one of his handmade bows, hitting the target close to its centre.
"Good shot," I said as we arrived.
"Ah, Daniel, good to see you," he turned around to greet us.
"And the same goes to you mate."
"Happy birthday Riley," he said to the young girl holding Ellie's hand.
"Thank you."
"We ready to go?"
"Yep, were good."
"John, you remember when I taught you how to use your pistol right."
"Yeah," my son replied.
"Do you think you can teach your sister then."
"I guess so," he replied with worry on his face.
"You'll be fine John. We'll be here."
Lucas, Ellie and I watched as John taught his younger sister how to shoot a pistol.
"They get on well together," Lucas pointed out, "How old are they?"
"Eight and thirteen," Ellie replied as she put her arm around my waist and mine around the back of her neck.
"It seems that it was just yesterday when John came along," I pointed out.
"Now pull the trigger," John said before his sister fired the gun hitting the target square in the middle.
"Good shot darlin'!" I yelled and resumed our conversation.
"That's a good shot for her first time," Ellie stated.
"Yeah, must be your blood Dan," Lucas agreed.
"Maybe," I replied, "maybe."
"She's gotta get it from somewhere."
The young girl looked remarkably similar to Ellie when I met her except a few years younger. Alburn hair, green eyes and her freckles. Just a hell of a lot more innocent.