Page 48 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

He wipes non-existent dust off his knuckles and grabs Kieran’s arm. Kieran reaches out his hand in greeting to Lachlan.

“Hey, man. Thanks for having us and keeping Aislinn safe the other night. I heard about the ordeal up on the ridge. Glad it all turned out okay. I also heard Callum would be on the grill. Think he’d be offended if I went over and hung out with him for a bit?” Kieran asks.

Lachlan shakes his head. “I wish I could have prevented it altogether, but I am just glad she’s safe now. Not at all. Head on over. He is just heating it up at the moment. The meat will go on in about five to ten minutes. Feel free to do what you see fit.”

Kieran lifts his chin with a grin. Uh oh, I know that look. Callum won’t know what hit him. Before the meat comes off, I predict the tongs and fork will be in Kieran’s hand and only a beer will be in Callum’s. I stifle a laugh by clearing my throat and watch as he heads toward the grill with a skip in his step.

Leo leans in and whispers, “My money is on Kieran getting those tongs and fork before we even make it over there. Ten minutes tops.”

I laugh. “I’ll take that bet. I say before dinner is ready.”

We shake, and I hear Lachlan chuckle.

“Hey, Paisley. How are you?” I hear Lachlan ask over my head.

Rotating slightly, I move out of Lachlan’s embrace to stand beside him. His hand goes to my waist, finding the sliver ofexposed skin. I close my eyes to savor the feel of his fingers when I’m jolted to the side. What the heck? My eyes fly open, and my face is inches away from a mass of auburn curls.

“No handshake for me, big guy. You are dating my bestie, so that means hugs. Unless you hurt her; then you will get a handshake to the face,” Paisley says.

Her expression is stone-cold and serious.

“Looks like I better get used to Paisley hugs then, as I have no intention of ever hurting or leaving Aislinn. I plan to be by her side as long as she'll have me,” Lachlan states seriously.

Paisley's face morphs into a dreamy smile. If she were a cartoon, hearts would be popping above her head. Is she swooning?

I think I swoon, too. Like honest-to-goodness, swoon. My head feels light, and my knees feel wobbly. No guy has ever announced his intentions with me in such a matter-of-fact and romantic way before.

I can’t imagine how he would propose. Okay, Aislinn, don’t get so far ahead of yourself. You have only been dating for a week. But then, when I look at the pastures, why can I picture a beautiful wedding here on the ranch at sunset? The picturesque setting would make for a stunning wedding backdrop. I shake my head to come back to the present.

Paisley grins as she looks between us with big doe eyes, then releases an audible sigh. Lachlan drops his hand from my waist and reaches to grab my right hand. Intertwining our fingers, we walk toward the group.

We enter his backyard, which is immaculately cut and a rich shade of green. I have been through his backyard a handful of times, but it’s my first time lingering. His patio is large flagstone slabs off to the left. The barbeque is on an elevated terrace of flagstone.

Kieran and Callum stand side by side, and there is a flash of metal. I notice a pair of tongs in Kieran’s hand as he talks. I smile. Now just to get the fork, and he'll be set.

There are a handful of people standing around in smaller groups. Most of the staff I’ve met, but the older couple and Lachlan’s look-alike I haven’t. There aren’t a lot of flowers, but the garden is full of mature hydrangeas and rhododendrons. I bet the rhododendrons bloom beautifully around Mother’s Day, then the hydrangeas bring color in July and August. Azaleas line the patio in shades of pink, red, and orange. The colors dance in the setting sun like a ring of fire around the table and chairs.

We reach the opening between two orange azaleas, and I step onto the stone patio. Conversations stop, and all eyes turn to me. I’m not a huge fan of people staring at me, and I know Leo feels the unease settling in my stomach.

He clears his throat. “Hi, everyone! I’m Leo,” he says, giving a little wave as he sidles up beside me, opposite of Lachlan. “I was thinking we could go around and tell our name and what we do?” Then he turns and whispers in my ear, “Okay, great ice-breaking technique, am I right?”

But before I can respond, he opens his mouth to continue. Once Leo takes the stage, there is no stopping him or dimming his light. Conversation and parties put him in his element.

“I’ll go first. My name is Leo. I do interior design and work with Paisley,” he says, pointing to his left. “I’m married to that handsome devil on the barbeque podium—not you, Callum, the one with both cooking utensils. Aislinn, you owe me twenty dollars. He got them both before the introductions even began. Okay, honey, you’re next.”

Nudging me with his shoulder, I take a deep breath and announce, “Good evening, I’m Dr. Aislinn Braniff, the new veterinarian in town.”

I squeeze Lachlan’s hand to let him know I’m done. Tag, you’re it!

He clears his throat and bends his head down to my ear. “Uh, but I think everyone here knows who I am, sweetheart. This is my house.”

He smiles down at me as my cheeks tinge pink. “Alright, my name is Dr. Lachlan Ambarsan. I’m co-owner of Ambarsan Equine Therapy Ranch, an equine-assisted therapy ranch.”

“Oh damn, he’s a doctor?” Leo hisses in my ear. “How did I not know that? See, I told you these introductions would be good.”

I shake my head both at his antics and the fact that I didn’t realize he was a doctor either. When we are alone, I will have to ask him what kind of doctor.

Lachlan points to Noah who is sitting in a chair to his right. “Hi, I’m Noah. I’m an Occupational Therapist and a CTRI, like all the other instructors here.”

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