Billie and Brandon: Untamed

1

BANG!

Billie loaded the rifle again, setting it against the banister of the balcony patio. She had one eye closed and her gaze trained on the bottles set up on the rocks many feet away. She leaned down, tongue just peeking out of the corner of her lips and concentrated on the target.

"Two points for the win, Monty boy" She cackled menacingly, "Then you're buying me a new dime novel."

Monty sighed exasperatedly and crossed his arms across his chest, "No fair! You're older."

"Doesn't make a difference. We both learned from the same person."

"Yeah, but you've had more time with Mama that I have!"

She lined up the shot, aiming a little below her intended target just as she had been taught. Of course, she didn't need to take all the precautions. She could make the shots in her sleep. She was naturally gifted as a shooter after all. But she felt like prolonging and extending the suspense if only for her entertainment.

She took the shot and didn't have to watch to know the bullet whizzed straight into the glass bottle, knocking it over with a resounding crash of smashed glass.

Billie blew off imaginary steam at the end of the barrel and flipped her blonde locks over her shoulder, smiling widely.

"And that's the game" Billie sassed, cocking her hip with a raised brow, "That's three dime novels now, Monty. Quit before this gets really sad? Or rematch, winner takes it all?"

The nine year old threw his rifle on the ground, pouting, "I don't want to play with you anymore! You always win!"

Billie turned around and patted his brunette head consolingly, "I'm only winning right now because I have more experience. Wait a few more years or so, and you'll be very good at it too."

Monty nodded sullenly, picking back up the dropped rifle and setting it against the banister with a sniffle. Billie sighed, feeling bad. She had only wanted someone to shoot with, and now that Monty had gotten much better, she felt he could pose somewhat of a shooting companion. Maybe she'd give it a few more years. She stooped so she was eye level with her younger brother, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"Hey. Tell you what. Let's play cops and robbers. I'll even be the robber so you can tie me up."

Monty grinned widely, his brown eyes lighting up in excitement. "Really? Can I throw you into the outhouse?"

"Let's not get crazy kid." Billie drawled, but stood and hitched up her dress, ready to start running away.

"Billie, are you shooting guns off with Monty?" Zoe asked, as she walked out of the house and onto the back porch. She gasped when she saw the state of Billie's dress. "And you're wearing your nice dress? What if Papa sees?"

"It's not like it's going to get dirty or anything" Billie commented, while dusting off the green Calico monstrosity, "Besides, Papas not home."

"He will be soon" Zoe chastised, helping to straighten out Billie's rumpled dress, "And he's bringing company. That Jesse boy who works in the next town over."

Billie's face curled in disgust, "Are you talking about that buck toothed misogynistic idiot?"

Zoe shook her head, though she looked like she was trying to hide a smile, "It's not nice to call people names."

Billie groaned and dropped her head back in annoyance, "When will Papa realise I'm not getting married? I have my whole life ahead of me. I don't need a husband."

"Billie, don't be silly. You need a life of your own. You can't stay living in this house forever."

"If I have to get married, I should be allowed to choose who I want to marry myself."