Cherished (Wanted 4)

“I want you to fuck around with Jeff. He is always bragging about how good he can shoot.”

Lark shook his head and laughed. “Hell, this ought to be fun.”

I pulled up behind Josh’s truck and smiled. “Awesome. Josh is here, too. You’re going to like him. Down-to-earth guy and good with his hands. He made the desk in my office.”

“No shit? He’s the one with the twins, right?”

I snapped my head and looked at Lark. “You were actually listening to what I said?”

“Of course I was, dickhead.” He opened the door and got out.

I walked around the truck as Ellie came out and smiled at us.

“That’s Ellie, Gunner’s wife.”

“She’s beautiful. Lucky bastard,” Lark said.

Ellie made her way down to us. She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

She turned and held out her hand to Lark. “Hi, you must be Lark. It’s a pleasure. I’m Ellie.”

Lark smiled and took her hand. “Ellie, the pleasure is all mine.”

Ellie looked back at me. “Gunner, Jeff, and Josh are all out back. I don’t know which one of them is the most excited. They actually went into town and took trees from the recycle pile,” she said with a giggle.

I would never get over how sweet and innocent Ellie was. I glanced down at her stomach and smiled. Ellie and Jessie were probably going to give birth within a month or so of each other.

“How are you feeling, Ells?” I asked.

She smiled bigger and put her hand on her stomach. “Wonderful.”

“Congratulations, Ellie,” Lark said.

“Thank you so much! Now, y’all go around back. I have to get to my garden before Alex wakes up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I tipped my hat.

Lark and I walked around back.

Josh looked up and smiled. He walked up and reached out for my hand. “Congratulations, dude. I couldn’t be happier for you and Jessie.” Josh flashed me that smile of his.

“Thanks, Josh. I’ve never been happier in my life. Hey, this is my buddy from college, Lark. Lark, this is Josh Hayes.”

They both shook hands as Lark said, “Lark Williams. It’s a pleasure.”

We repeated the process with Gunner and Jeff. We stood around for a few minutes, shooting the shit, and then Lark went in for the kill.

“Are those targets back there?” He glanced around Gunner’s shoulder.

Gunner turned and then looked back at Lark. “Yep.”

Jeff smiled and said, “You like to shoot?”

Lark nodded. “Love it. I even brought my gun, hoping to get some target shooting in.”

Jeff took the bait. “Hell yeah, dude. Go and grab it. Let’s see how good you are.”

I felt kind of shitty. Gunner shook his head as he smiled and made his way into his house to get a gun. Gunner had never met Lark, but Gunner knew Lark had been in the Marines and was a sharpshooter.