“Where did you get that assault weapon?"

"Assault weapon?" Zach turned his head to look at her. "Well, lookey there. You're cute when you blush."

Maddie's face grew hotter, but at least he'd mistaken the reason for her embarrassment.

Zach turned his face back toward the ceiling. "That there's standard equipment, darlin'."

"There's nothing standard about that."

"I didn't hear you complaining."

"Of course not. You sprang it on me when I was mentally incompetent."

Zach laughed out loud. "That you were, sweet Maddie that you were."

Maddie and Zach”