Page 171 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

“That sounds perfect.” Keegan inhaled a shaky breath. “But if you change your mind—”

“I won’t.”

“The event is a month away,” Keegan said.

And Kerry understood the source of his turmoil. He didn’t want to set his hopes too high and have them crash and burn. “I am so freaking into you, Kee. I will spend every day between now and then proving just how much I want you.”

The tenderness in Keegan’s expression made Kerry’s heart flutter. He claimed a quick kiss before setting off for part two of their date. There were only a few cars in the parking lot when they arrived, but it was the middle of the week, and Lumberjack’s Axe and Ale was new. The rustic, Western-themed decor was pretty standard in their part of the world, and the owners leaned into it without going too far. Country music drifted through hidden speakers, and a full-service bar took up one side of the building. Kerry questioned the wisdom of combining alcohol and sharp weapons, but what did he know?

A woman named Karen greeted them at the checkout counter with a friendly smile and chipper voice that declared she alone was going to take back the name for all the good Karens in the world. She put a ton of personality into her presentation of the rules of axe throwing. Basically, they didn’t want their patrons to throw those axes all willy-nilly. Again, Kerry wondered why they’d introduce alcohol onto the premises because that would never go sideways. Karen slid a waiver across the counter for them to sign after her presentation. “Follow me, guys,” she said.

Keegan leaned close and said, “Personal injury waivers on a first date. Man, you sure know how to show a fella a good time.”

Kerry placed his hand on the small of Keegan’s back. “Wait until you see the waiver waiting for you back at my place.”

Keegan stiffened, and Kerry wasn’t sure if it was his hand placement or his reference to potentially rough sex. He was about to withdraw his hand and apologize, but Keegan smiled up at him. “This night just keeps getting better.” He stopped and spun around to face Kerry. “Sorry I tensed. I’m not used to PDA, but I like it.”

“Me too.”

Keegan rose on his tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth.

“I like it a lot,” Kerry amended.

Keegan laughed, took him by the hand, and led him to find Karen. She waited patiently for them around the corner. Each range looked like a fancy horse’s stall but without the bedding on the floor. The targets were set up on the rear wall, and stagecoach lights provided the perfect amount of illumination without ruining the Western vibe. Old-timey wanted posters hung on the walls, and other decor like whiskey barrels filled the space. The rules they’d just agreed to also hung on the wall as a reminder. Karen demonstrated the proper axe-throwing technique and posture. She struck the target at dead center of the bullseye.

“Wow,” Keegan said. “You must practice a lot.”

Karen smiled and shrugged. “It was just a really lucky throw.”

Kerry doubted that very much.

“I’ll work with both of you to make sure you’re comfortable before I leave you to it,” Karen said. “Who wants to go first?”

“He does,” Keegan said, pointing at Kerry.

“I will,” Kerry agreed.

It looked much easier than it really was. Kerry focused on his footing and balance first before bringing the axe over his head with both hands. He went through the motion without releasing the axe once before he let it fly. The weapon soared through the air, smacked into the target, and fell to the floor.

“You’ve got brute strength on your side,” Karen said. “You’d knock an enemy out cold with that blow. You might want to take a little off the velocity and work on the finesse part.” She waved a hand for Keegan to join her. “Let me show you what I mean.”

She directed Keegan’s movements with his steps, the pull back and the release of the axe. His throw struck the target but at the farthest ring from the bullseye, though you’d never know by his jubilant celebration.

“I did it!” Keegan cheered before leaping into Kerry’s arms.

His joy was contagious, and Kerry caught him up in a hug. “You sure did. That was a solid throw.”

Keegan sobered a little and considered him. “You’re not about to turn this into another Hart family card night, are you?”

“No,” Kerry said defensively.

“That’s where I know you from!” Karen said, pointing at him. “I saw you on the news when you rescued the truck driver on the bridge.”

Kerry scratched behind his ear. “Yeah, that was me.”

“You were very brave,” Karen told him. Her expression grew serious, and she glanced between Keegan and Kerry with narrowed eyes. “What happens at the Hart family card nights?”

“Nothing,” Kerry replied.