Read Murder in the Paperback Parlor for Free Online Page B

Just when Jane felt like her left arm was about to snap in two from the strain of keeping the nocked arrow perfectly aligned with the center of the target, he told them to lower their weapons and rest for a moment.
    â€œAt this point, you’re probably tired and sore,” he said, and his pupils moaned in assent. “Good. Because danger rarely comes along when you’re fully prepared to meet it—when you’ve had eight hours of sleep, a balanced meal, and are dressed in warm, comfortable clothes.” A hard glint appeared in his eyes. “Take off your coats.”
    Jane, who could barely feel her fingertips, glared at Lachlan. “Excuse me?”
    â€œMiss Jane,” Lachlan said, addressing her as the other Fins did. “This drill is necessary.”
    Scowling at him, she unzipped her parka and dropped it on the brittle grass. The twins did the same.
    â€œYour muscles hurt,” Lachlan began. “You’re cold. You’re probably hungry. Soon, you’ll start shivering. You’ll begin to think of the things you’d rather be doing at this moment.”
    â€œLike drinking hot cocoa!” Hem yelled through chattering teeth.
    Ignoring the outburst, Lachlan pointed across the range at their targets. “You’re miserable, but that doesn’t matter now. The bad guys are there! Look! They’re coming for you. They’re standing right in front of your targets. Load and fire!
Now!
Use every arrow in your quiver. Load again! Fire!” He ran behind them, shouting, “
Come on!
They’re getting closer!
Fire! Fire!
”
    Jane immediately responded to the urgency in Lachlan’s voice. She no longer saw the hay-stuffed target, but a man in dark clothes. She pretended that the man wanted to hurt her family. He was a dangerous criminal bent on stealing treasures from Storyton’s secret library.
    I’ll stop you,
Jane thought. Reaching over her right shoulder, she loaded an arrow, whipped the bowstring backward until it grazed her cheek, and then released. Without waiting to see if the missile had struck its mark, she reached behind her and nocked another arrow. She repeated the movement until she was out of arrows. Only then did she lower her weapon. She stood, panting in exertion, and reminded herself that this was just an exercise. Her boys were safe. The library was safe.
    She glanced over at Lachlan. Their eyes met and held. And then he nodded, as though he understood that she needed a few seconds to let go of the dark fantasy she’d conjured.
    â€œI guess we’d be dead,” Fitz murmured unhappily.
    â€œYeah,” Hem agreed and directed an accusatory glare at Lachlan. “We can’t hit anything when we’re shooting that fast.”
    Lachlan strode over and placed a hand on Hem’s shoulder. “This was your first try, Master Steward. You and your brother did very well.”
    â€œBut we totally missed the target,” Fitz argued.
    â€œThat’s not as important as the fact that you both kept your cool. You stayed calm and kept loading and firing. You never lost focus.” Still holding Hem’s shoulder, he moved closer to Fitz and gave the frowning boy a pat on the back. “The accuracy will come with time and practice. You passed a hard test today and proved that you’re made of tough stuff.”
    â€œWhat about Mom?” Hem asked. “Is she tough too?”
    Lachlan pointed at Jane’s target. “What do you think?”
    Noticing the three arrows embedded in the hay, the boys gasped. “She got him!” they cried. “She got the bad guy!”
    â€œI think she deserves some coffee, don’t you, gentlemen?” Lachlan smiled at Jane, and she smiled back. It was the first time she felt a real connection to him.
    Perhaps one can only get to know him bit by bit. A few words here. A smile there. I’ll have to be patien
t
,
she thought.
    The three archers were