Page 12 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

Wincing with embarrassment, I leave the boys to continue talking and step up to the cash register. There are three ladies behind the counter. Two look barely old enough to be out of high school, and one looks to be about my age.

Before I can say hi, the smaller of the two girls says, “Hi, welcome to Sleepy Mountain Roasters. My name is Ava. What can we make for you today?”

I respond, “Thanks, Ava. I’m Dr. Aislinn Braniff, but please call me Aislinn. I’m the new vet in town. This will be the first of many trips I plan to make to this coffee shop. Could I get a twelve oz, decaf, oat milk latte, please? Go ahead and put Lynn as the pick-up name.”

The girl smiles and nods, then quickly inputs the information into a tablet, which I didn’t realize she was even holding. She then uses the old-fashioned cash register to finish the transaction.

I pay for my drink, astonished at what they charge. It’s significantly less compared to the little coffee shop I used to frequent in Sammamish. They charged me $8.25 for the same coffee, which I just paid $4.75 for today. I put the difference into the tip jar, in hopes of paying it forward for the day.

As I make my way to the end of the bar, my fingertip is magnetized to touch the bar top. It glides across the resin, following the lines and swirls of the wood veins. It’s mesmerizing, and I remind myself to ask Leo if something like this could be installed at my new cabin, either as an outdoor table or an outdoor bar.

Paisley steps up next to me, and after being distracted by breakfast and then this coffee shop, I haven’t had the chance to take her in yet. As I give her the once over, I realize she is in a beautiful seafoam green cotton dress with a sweetheart neckline and a matching bandeau headband to tame her vibrant, red hair. A sea glass earring and necklace set is simple but elegant, and she has on little canvas flats with embroidered flowers along the edge. I say, “Paisley, you look adorable! Did you hear back from the guy you were hoping to see today?”

Her smile falters, and my heart sinks. She replies softly, “He texted me while I was on the way to Topaz Falls. He said that he, uh, is going to stay at a friend’s cabin for a few days and won’t be reachable. I haven’t even met the guy, so I think I’m going to cut my losses now and cease contact with him. You know?”

I wrap my arm around her shoulder and say, “Yeah, I know. The right guy will come along. For all you know, when we go to the local watering hole tonight, you might find Mr. Right.”

She shakes her head and mutters, “I’m gonna take a short break from the dating scene. It just gets a bit depressing that so many guys suck. I like the idea that the right guy will come along when I least expect it. I will no longer actively look.”

“Lynn!” shouts the barista from the other side of the espresso machine.

I walk up to the bar and begin getting my cup situated with a sleeve when I hear a subtle clearing of a throat across the bar top. I glance up and look into caramel-colored eyes with a hopeful look in them. “Hi, um, Dr. Braniff. My name is Daniella. I sent you my resume last week, in hopes of being your assistant. I studied zoology in college, and when I moved here, I joined Doc MacAllen. After he retired two years ago, I started working for Anders, but I would love to get back to working with animals.”

I smile wide, nodding like a fool as I respond, “Oh, I’m so glad to meet you in person. I was planning to call you and another woman named Freya on Monday. Yes, definitely. If you are still interested and Anders is okay with you leaving the shop, then you can start any time. If he needs two weeks’ notice, then that is just fine too. You two work it out together, and just let me know. Our official opening date is July 1st, so there is no rush. Britt, Oliver, and I will be getting the clinic prepped, but if you need the full three weeks, please take your time. If you get a chance, stop by one day this week to fill out paperwork with Britt and go over salary and benefits.”

She glances up at Anders and sees him giving her two thumbs up. I have a feeling my brother already gave him a heads up that I was planning to talk to her this week.

With a little salute and byes to everyone in the shop, the four of us make our way back out onto the sidewalk. We head toward the real estate office a few blocks away. It’s time to get my keys!

Chapter 12

Lachlan

Callum and I pull into the back lot of Sleepy Mountain Roasters at 10 a.m. The plan for today is to get coffee. Good coffee—not the Keurig my sister swears by, but real rich coffee. We ran out of beans for our drip coffee pot, so I will have to stock up while I’m here. Anders roasts his coffee beans the best of any coffee shop in the area. It’s the right blend of flavors, with no bitter aftertaste.

We come in the back door, and Ava and Emily are busy talking in hushed tones. If I had to guess, it is about some party. I think they just graduated last week, and this is their final summer here before they head off to college. I look around and see Daniella and Anders talking at the end of the bar. They both seem really happy, and I hear him say congratulations. Before I can dampen my curiosity, I interrupt. “What are we congratulating here?”

Anders wraps Daniella in a one-arm hug and says, “The new vet was just here and offered Daniella her job back at the clinic. The same one she had with Doc before he retired. I always knew this would be just a stepping-stone job for her. One to keep her moving forward until a new vet came into town. I admit, I wasn’t expecting her to stick around for the last two years, butI’m grateful as she has been amazing. I’ve asked Ava and Emily to see if any of their friends need a summer job, as tourists will be arriving steadily for the next two months. I’m going to need all the help I can get. Daniella said she would stick around until I find a replacement. The new vet is really laid back. I’m friends with her brother, so it was fun to finally meet her in person.”

I offer my congratulations to Daniella. I notice Callum standing off to the side, looking at his texts and totally oblivious to our conversation. I mean, it was only a couple days ago he and Daniella were on a date down at Glaciers. Granted, they said they were just going to be friends, but he is zoned out.

“Hey, man,” I nudge him, “You want a coffee?”

“Nah, I’m good. Just responding to a text from Ingrid about the clients we have coming in today. Nothing important, just a check-in before she starts pulling Sunny and Puddles out,” he replies distractedly.

Alrighty then. I let him do his thing and step up to the counter. I put my hands on the counter and ask, “Hey, Ava, can I please get a large black coffee?” I remove a five dollar bill from my wallet and place it on the counter, telling her to keep the change when I hear it. The guttural sound of a Jeep. I spin on my heel, searching for the vehicle, and spot the back of a white Jeep Wrangler heading down the street.

I don’t even think. I just run. My palm smacks the doorframe, and I shove it open with too much force. It bangs against the siding, but I’m too focused to care right now. I pivot left when my boot hits the sidewalk and sprint after that white Jeep. I have to see who the driver is behind the wheel. I need to know if it's her.

My arms are pumping as I suck in air. I can't see the turn signal. Please turn left, please turn left. Then I would be able to see the driver. No, not right! Skidding to a stop, I rest myleft hand on my hip and reach up with my right hand to pull my hat off. I use the sleeve of my forearm to wipe my brow. As my heartbeat slows and my breathing returns to normal, I turn around and head back to the coffee shop feeling defeated.

I don’t remember getting back in the coffee shop, but Anders breaks the trance when he says, “Man, what was that about? Are you okay?”

I look up with pleading eyes. “I've got to know who is driving that white Jeep Wrangler through town.” I rub the back of my neck and stare at my boots. This is killing me. All I can see is her haunting blue gaze. When I woke up this morning, I was exhausted, as my dreams were filled with bottomless pools of azure eyes.

Anders doesn’t disappoint. “Uh, that is the new vet. Why? Her name is Dr. Aislinn Braniff. She just moved here today.”

I meet his curious gaze and say, “I met her yesterday when I stopped at a gas station in North Bend. Her hypnotic eyes have been keeping me awake all night. I honestly thought I would never see her again. She’s really here?”

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