The Shooting Lesson

Chapter II – Grip & Squeeze

Miss Isles was in awe as she stared at the woman rapidly approaching her with both hands full. In her left was a rifle and in her right the shot gun they had purchased just a few days back. In her lifetime, the sophisticated woman had met few men who carried themselves with such confidence but as she watched the Texas Ranger she realized Jane Rizzoli was in her element and oozed with self-confidence.

Snapping the woman out of her trance, Jane tossed her the rifle. "Come on little lady, it's time for a shooting lesson."

Knowing it was futile to resist, the prospective teacher knew this day was coming back when she bought the fire stick, she just did not realize it would be this soon.

Sensing the wheels were churning in the head of the school teacher, the horsewoman playfully snapped, "Better now than later." On the brink of being evil, a smirk blanketed the brunette's face.

Not about to show any signs of weakness, Maura gripped the weapon with both hands and followed her mentor. "As you wish."

A few steps away, the Texas Ranger stopped and called the school teacher over to join her. The golden blonde complied and stood next to the raven-haired woman. Jane worriedly stroked her chin as she looked over her student. The well-educated woman posture would surely impress anyone in a big city but this was the wild west and she carried herself as anything but how a prairie woman would. The experienced hunter knew this would be no easy task as she watched the green-eyed beauty cradle the rifle in her arms like a baby.

The law enforcer muttered under her breath, "Yay me" before batting her eyes masking her anxiety.

Realizing that the ranger had said something, Maura questioned, "Did you say something?"

"I was just saying how lovely you looked?"

Flattered, the school teacher patted at her dress. "Why thank you Jane. I do try. You know it isn't very easy for a woman of my stature to look…" In an instant, the woman from back east realized that the harden woman did not mean it. "You weren't serious, were you?"

Glaring out from under the brim of her cowboy hat, the raven-haired woman shook her head. Harsher than intended, Jane whined, "Look at you Maura. You're holding that rifle like a baby. Your posture is all wrong. Heck you're not even standing up straight."

Knowing that Jane was being hard on her for her own good, the school teacher swallowed hard. "Then teach me Jane. Tell me what I need to know to survive out here."

As always, the school teacher's face was relaxed, and she was open to suggestions. This was rapidly becoming a favorite thing of Jane's and she was beginning to feel that she had originally misjudged the back east city girl. It was a relief to instruct someone who was so willing to learn. Since most of the people in these parts were men, and most men did not take kindly to being out done or out smarted by a woman. Teaching such a willing pupil was music to Jane's ears.

The innocent reply made the Texas Ranger feel bad. She didn't mean to snap at the woman. She was just trying to teach her the necessary skills to make it out here. Rubbing the back of her neck, the experienced hunter pondered, how much easier it was to talk to men out here. She was used to barking orders. She didn't have to worry about hurting their feelings. But with Maura, being such a sophisticated woman, it was different, and Jane was learning how to tread a whole different body of water altogether.

Placing a gentle hand on the school teacher's shoulder, Jane apologize. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to snap at you."

Looking at the ground, Maura replied, "I know. It's hard out here and there are things you can to teach me in order to stay alive."

Jane's brown eyes stared at the golden blonde for a few minutes before continuing. She couldn't suppress the swelling admiration for the city woman. So far, she was the bravest woman she had ever met. The Texas Ranger dipped her head for a moment internally rehearsing how this lesson would play out.

"Ok…a couple of things. First, your stance is all wrong. You're shooting a rifle not a pistol. You need to lean into it more."

"Ok"

"Um..." The raven-haired woman could not think of how to describe the proper stance for firing the weapon. She quickly held up her arms as if she were holding the rifle. One hand was close to her cheek while the other held the barrel half way down the rifle. She rocked in her boots. "Ok see where my legs are?"

Jane released her imaginary rifle to help reposition her student. "Here, place your left leg was under your shoulder and put the right one just a little in front."

It felt a little too weird to Maura however it did not take the Texas Ranger long to figure out why. "I'm sorry, I'm left handed, here switch legs. The green-eyed woman instantly felt more comfortable with her new stance and the holding of the rifle.

"That feels a lot better."

Looking over the woman, Jane encouraged her, "Ok lean into it a little but not too much."

"How do I know if I am balanced?"

Without warning, the experienced hunter shoved the school teacher in the arm, knocking her off balance. "You're not balanced."

"Was that necessary?"

"No but it was fun." The brunette's eyes glimmered as brightly as her smile.

"Really?"

"Sorry I couldn't resist. It's a joke I play on everyone I teach to shoot."

Although not in her element, Maura did not allow others to take advantage of her; whether an insolent schoolchild or a rugged ranger. Clinching her jaw, the blonde shot back a glare towards usually reserved for her most delinquent of students.

To her surprise, Jane did not feel disrespected but rather intrigued as the golden-blonde stood her ground against the Texas Ranger. Smirking Jane mused, Remind me to never piss her off. After waiting a few moments to see if Maura's look would eventually break, Jane finally smiled and continued the lesson.

"Ok seriously, a rifle is going to have more kick than a revolver, so you have to be ready for it. Shooting a rifle isn't anything like shooting a pistol. It's also a lot more unforgiving." Jane massaged her shoulder at the memory of learning to shoot a buffalo rifle.

It did not take long for Maura to achieve the correct balance needed; especially with the ranger's expert guidance. As Jane spoke, her husky voice blended perfectly with the western surroundings and Maura could not help but imagine Jane was born for this sort of life style.

Glancing over the golden blonde once more, the expert shooter was confident Maura was ready. "Now most people either favor the pistol or the rifle but since you are already experienced with the pistol, it may take some time to get use to."

"Which do you prefer?"

Without thinking, Jane's pearl handled colt flew out of its holster and twirled several times around her finger before it quietly rested back on her hip a second later. Realizing she was showing off. The alluring fighter grumbled. "The pistol." As her fingers rested daftly on the hilt of her revolver, the ranger added, "But everyone's different."

Matching her instructor's enthusiasm, the blonde recounted why she felt so safe with Jane around.

"Ok back to the lesson."