Page 79 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

“I’m doing okay, Edwin. Thank you again for all you did the other day. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Maybe you can come to the Saturday barbeque? I know it’s shortnotice for you, being that it’s Thursday afternoon, but I would love to thank you in person,” Aislinn says earnestly.

Edwin chuckles. “You can count on it. Ranch barbeques are always awesome, and I have heard the grilling is even better with your brother as the head pitmaster.”

I grin. “Don’t let Callum hear you say that, or this may be your last invitation.”

He laughs, a deep sound ringing through the cab.

His voice sobers, “I actually had another reason for calling. I wanted to let you know we got Cody. I contacted a detective friend of mine in Snohomish County, Washington, and he said he would get a hold of the King County detectives he knew there. They passed by his residence this morning and found him unloading his car. They found a baseball bat with blood on it, which I have a feeling will be a match to your DNA. We also found a rope ladder covered in mud. I’m guessing he hooked it up to the back of your Gator and then used it to get down to the mine. We still aren’t sure exactly how he knew where to go or how he got Aislinn down there, but he is at their station going through the interrogation process. Unfortunately, he lawyered up the moment they read him his rights.”

Aislinn sighs beside me, “Do you have enough to keep him? We are working with Rebecca Easton to get a restraining order filed against him. What about Lachlan’s property and the other man?”

I let out a relieved breath. “Awesome news, man. I would love to know my property is safe, though.”

Edwin coughs. “Yes, that is all cleared up. Our little county building may be old, but Deb has been worried about Marilyn for a while now. A few weeks ago, their boss installed a few cameras. We were able to watch Cody’s entire interaction with Marilyn. While she was distracted, he had slipped youroriginal Deed of Trust and put it in his briefcase. We caught it from multiple angles. We also caught up with his buddy James. He told officers he would cut a deal and tell us where Cody had obtained the notary. Since we can’t fault James for anything but being with Cody, I’m not sure he will get more than a slap on the wrist or warning.”

Aislinn smiles. “I think James was uncomfortable with Cody’s scheme. He seemed totally shocked by the revelations Cody was spewing at the farm the other morning.”

As we pull off the main road and head down the long driveway to the farm, I squeeze her hand. We have become each other’s rock in such a short time.

“Thanks again, Edwin. See you in a couple days? We are just pulling into the ranch. Call us if you need anything while you put together the case. Both of us are happy to help put the creep away,” I say.

“You got it, Lachlan. I’m just sorry it went so sideways. I wish there had been more I could have done on Monday morning when Ingrid called me,” he says with regret lacing his words.

Aislinn pipes up, “Everything turned out alright in the end. No hard feelings. We appreciate everything you are doing. We know your hands were tied. Let us know if you can figure out who the other person was, though.”

Clicking off after saying goodbye, my house stares at us in the driveway.

“Ready to go in?” I ask.

“More than ready,” she whispers. “I’m starving.”

Laughing, I swing out of the driver’s side and land with a thud. I quickly stride around the front and shove my keys into my back pocket. Pulling on the door handle, I open it to findAislinn smiling down at me. Her eyes are twinkling, and my dick twitches.

I can’t be thinking about anything other than taking care of her for the next week and a half. Our time will come again, and she will be feeling well when it happens. I reach my arms up to her as she swings her legs gingerly to the side. I can tell she is still in pain when she moves her head, but she’s tough. She declined pain medication at the hospital. Said she wanted to be able to feel the pain so that she wouldn’t push herself too far too fast.

My hands slide around her hips, and I bring her down in front of me. Her breasts slide against my shirt, and a gasp escapes her lips. Her cheeks flush a beautiful shade of coral, and her pupils dilate. At least I’m not the only one affected here.

“We can’t, Hurricane. Not until you are better, or at least not until your stitches are out. I don’t want to have to drive you back and explain how you pulled your stitches. We can make it nine days. Please let me take care of you. I need this as much as you do.”

She nods ever so slightly, burying her nose into my chest.

“Let’s get you inside. I will get you settled on the couch and make you a warm drink. Then we can sit and cuddle. Have any movie wishes?” I inquire.

“Anything with Thor,” she says sheepishly.

“As long as you picture me when you look at him.” I wink down at her, and her face blazes red.

I bend down and plant a tender kiss on her mouth, and we stay locked in a delicate kiss for a few seconds.

“Ugh!” Ingrid shrieks. “I’m really going to have to get used to seeing my brother and PDA.” But she grins and comes over to gently hug Aislinn. “I’m really glad you’re okay. We wereall so concerned about you and beyond thankful it worked out in the end.”

I rub her back before noticing Callum at the front bumper of my truck. He tips his hat in our direction.

His eyes look watery as he says, “I’m glad you are doing well, Aislinn. You had us worried for a couple days.”

“Care to watch a movie with us?” I ask, looking between Ingrid and Callum. They both shake their heads.

Callum throws his thumb over his shoulder and clears his throat, “I still have lots of work to catch up on in the office.”

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