Ch. 19

Targets

Set post series.

Vic folded her arms across her chest and watched Cady take aim with the handgun. Vic could tell by her grip, she was still adjusting. Still trying to find the right fit. She waited patiently as Cady fired off the rounds in the weapon and then laid it down carefull. She removed her ear muffs and set them down next to the gun. Vic came up behind her and looked over her shoulder at the target.

"Better."

Cady smiled ruefully.

"Still not great at this distance."

Vic gave her a nonchalant shrug.

"It takes time. It'll come. I'm kind of surprised you haven't had more experience with Walt being your dad."

Cady swiped at a srtand of hair that blew across her face in the breeze whipping dust up around them.

"To be honest, I was always a little apprehensive around guns. He took me target shooting a few times but I usually found other things to do. Guess I should've made more time for it."

"No time like the present."

Vic studied the paper target Cady had retrieved.

"This is actually pretty good considering. You're coming along."

Cady took the paper from her.

"Not quite good enough."

Vic laughed a little as she lifted Cady's gun and began to show her how to check and secure it safely.

"Walt's not a perfectionist. Was your mom?"

Cady quietly watched Vic's motions with keen interest before she answered.

"Yeah, she was. She liked everything to be just so."

Her voice took on a wistful note. Vic glanced up at her as she set the gun into it's case.

"My mom is kind of like that, too. Drove her crazy having five kids screw up everything."

She snapped the case shut and held it out to Cady.

"If you're not comfortable with this one, we can find you something else. You should be confident in what you're using day to day."

Cady nodded and trailed Vic slowly to her truck. Off duty, both wore jeans and long sleeved t-shirts. The weather was comfortable but the breeze made it a little chillier than normal. Vic fished her keys from the pocket of her leather jacket and slid behind the steering wheel. Pulling her sunglasses from her shirt, she put them on. Starting the engine, she steered the truck out of the gravel lot and onto the highway.

Cady glanced at her across the cab of the truck.

"So…how are things?"

Vic gave her an odd look.

"Things in general?"

Her voice held a mix of curiosity and confusion. Cady shifted her blue eyes toward the window and then back to Vic.

"You know that I know, right?"

The edge of Vic's mouth turned up a little. She understood what Cady was getting at.

"About me and your dad."

It wasn't a question but a confirmation. Cady nodded anyway.

"Yeah."

Vic kept her eyes focused on the road.

"Yeah, he told me."

A beat of silence passed between them before Cady spoke again.

"So things are good?"

Vic turned her head and looked at Cady before returning her attention to the road.

"Do you really want to talk about this with me?"

Cady smiled.

"Well…we haven't had a chance to talk lately. Not with everything going on. So, yes, I really want to know."

Vic nodded a little.

"Yeah, things are fine."

Cady huffed in silent laughter.

"Wow. That sounds exactly like something dad would say. He must be rubbing off on you."

Vic smiled then. Cady turned slightly in her seat, tugging at her seatbelt.

"Can I be honest with you, Vic?"

"Sure."

She didn't sound so sure.

"I'm happy that he's found someone who can deal with him."

Vic laughed then and shook her head.

"Well, there are people who would probably say the same thing about me so…"

Cady waved her off.

"I know that's true of everyone. But…you know what he's like. How frustrating he can be. I've always known it would take someone with a stubborn streak as wide as his to be able to handle him and not go crazy. Has he driven you crazy yet?"

"He's been driving me crazy since he hired me. That hasn't changed."

Cady smiled.

"I have to admit…when he first told me…I was skeptical. But…seeing him now…it seems like he's in a good place. That's all I really want for him."

Vic tightened her grip slightly on the wheel.

"I was skeptical, too. Since we're being honest. But…now that everything is settling down…it is good."

Cady turned her attention back to the landscape rolling by. She was more than a little dubious when her father asked if Vic could stay with her for a while. She and Vic had never been particularly friends. On the surface, they seemed to have very little in common. But underneath, they were more alike than either of them realized. Both the daughters of law enforcement officers. Raised by fathers with a tendency to be overbearing. Women trying to navigate the ever choppy waters of a male dominated profession. Both could be stubborn and set in their ways. Although the trait was more subtle in Cady than in Vic, it existed in both women.

Cady also witnessed, firsthand, the obvious affection between her father and Vic. No, it didn't seem like the most obvious of matches. But, it had been a long time since she had seen her father so at ease and seemingly at peace.

Vic was apprehensive when Cady agreed to run for Sheriff. With no real experience, Cady would need to learn everything from the ground up. She clearly understood the law better than most. But their worlds were still very different. Walt laughed at her expression when he first presented the idea to her.

"Cady? Sheriff?"

True to his nature, he broached the topic in his own time. His words broke through the post coital haze she was enjoying in bed half asleep. Walt lay on his side watching her with his head propped up on one hand. It was hard to concentrate when he looked at her like that, with his tousled hair and soft smile. It wasn't a side many people saw of Walt Longmire.

Vic rolled to her own side to face him, studying him carefully.

"You're serious?"

He gave a slight shrug.

"You made it clear you weren't interested."

His voice was merely a soft rumble in his chest.

"It just seems…like an odd choice. And you've talked to her?"

"Yep. She had the same reaction as you. But, I think she sees my point and she's trying to find her place. Maybe this is it."

Vic pushed herself up and leaned against the headboard.

"She doesn't have any experience."

"I know. But…I was hoping you would be willing to teach her."

"I'm not a teacher, Walt."

His eyes never left hers.

"You sell yourself short. There isn't anyone I would trust her with more than you, Vic."

Vic sighed and extended her hand, running it through his bed mussed hair.

"You've given this a lot of thought."

"Yep."

Her hand slid from his hair to the rough texture of his jawline.

"Okay."

He smiled one of the smiles that crinkled the skin around his eyes.

The smoothness of the road gave way to the crunch of gravel as Vic steered the truck into the parking lot of the Red Pony where Cady's Jeep was parked. She cut the engine and looked across the cab of the truck. The Bronco sat near the building telling them that Walt was already inside.

"Sure you don't want to come in and have dinner?"

Cady offered Vic a sincere smile.

"I'm sure. I've got plans."

Vic raised her brows in amusement.

"Really?"

Cady couldn't hide the grin that crossed her face. She and Zach were keeping their relationship quiet for the time being. But, she had seen Vic watching them at the station and suspected it might not be as secret as they hoped.

"Yes, really."

Vic smiled at her.

"Have fun."

Cady gathered up her things as opened the passenger door. Just as her feet hit the surface of the parking lot, Vic chimed in again.

"Tell Zach hello."

Cady's head swiveled and saw the knowing expression on Vic's face. She could only nod, knowing denials would be useless at this point.

"Sure."

Walt was sitting at a table when she pushed through the swinging doors. It was still a little early in the evening, so the crowd was fairly light. It would pick up later when more people came for a post work drink. He smiled at her approach.

"Hey."

Vic slid her jacket off and draped it over the chair before sitting down.

"Hey, been here long?"

He shook his head.

"Bout five minutes."

There were two beers sitting in front of him. He slid one to her and took a sip of his own.

"How'd it go?"

Vic took a swallow of her beer and then set it back down.

"Good. She's getting better every time."

Walt rested his arms on the table.

"She didn't want to come in?"

Vic shook her head.

"No, she had some things to do, I think."

It was obvious Cady didn't want her dad clued in on whatever was going on with Zach just yet. He nodded slowly.

"Hungry?"

"Starving."

He waved the waitress over and they placed their order. When they were alone again, he leaned in a little closer, hovering over the table.

"Thank you for this, Vic. With Cady…all of it."

A smile tugged at her lips.

"It's okay. I don't mind you owing me."

It was his turn to smile.

"What exactly is it that you want?"

She shrugged and her smile widened.

"I'm sure I'll think of something. Let's eat."