Page 54 of Like a Hurricane

“She likes cuddles,” Harper declares fondly, “Just stroke her head.”

“I didn’t know chickens like to be petted,” I say, surprised at the softness of the bird’s head under my fingertips.

“Pickles does,” Harper sits next to me, “Ruthie said Pickles is like a dog.”

“Who’s Ruthie?” I question.

“Oh, she lives at the lodge. I love her. She makes the best cookies.”

Harper starts talking about everything and nothing, about her school and the town, about the diner that’s run by a woman named Imogen and Ruthie’s son, Shawn. She throws so much information at me, I find it hard to retain any of it.

“I have to take Pickles to the back now,” Harper says.

I pass the chicken over to her, “Thanks.”

“Sometimes you just have to talk to someone, so you don’t feel sad anymore.”

I nod, “You’re right.”

“Uncle Rett likes to talk too.”

Chapter Twenty-six

Aheadache knocks at my temples, thumping to the beat of my pulse inside my skull. The house is quiet, but I know Torin and Maya are still awake and downstairs in front of the fire. I just needed some painkillers.

Rett sleeps like the dead next to me and I have to lift his arm off my stomach to get out of bed. I creep out of the room and gently pull the door open.

I can hear Torin and Maya’s voices, they’re whispering so I can’t make out what they’re saying but I head towards the sound, staying quiet so I don’t wake Harper or Rett.

But then I get to the living room, and I pause.

Maya stands in front of the fire, Torin in front of her with his large hand resting across her lower abdomen. She has her hand resting on top of his, her chin angled down with a gentle smile pulling on her mouth.

“Our little bean will be safe,” Torin murmurs, “I don’t want you to get too involved with what’s going on with Everett, little doe.”

“We will be fine,” she says gently.

“I know you will,” he says, “But with everything that happened, I just worry.”

“It’s not our battle, Torin but I’m not going to leave Rett to handle stuff on his own. He was here when we needed him. He needs us now.”

Silence settles between them, but I don’t move from my spot. It felt wrong to eavesdrop, but I wanted to see them like this, to see that love burning so brightly between them. It was obvious Maya was pregnant, early on likely and the way Torin cares for her makes my heart feel a little funny.

“I like Arryn,” Maya tells him, “I think she’ll be good for him.”

“Rett falls headfirst into things,” Torin sighs, “I don’t want to get my hopes up that this won’t be one of his fixations that he’ll grow bored of.”

“Give him his due, Torin,” Maya lightly scolds, “He cares for her.”

I close my eyes, feeling the sting of tears behind my lids.

“You’re right. He does,” Torin agrees. “I hope she feels the same.”

Not wanting to hear anymore, I purposely clear my throat and walk into the room, making enough noise to notify them of my presence. They stay close together, but Torin removes his hand from her stomach, instead burying them into the pockets of his jeans.

“Arryn,” Maya comes towards me, “You okay?”

“Headache,” I scrunch my nose up, “I was hoping you had some painkillers.”

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