Page 15 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

The only other table that seats more than three is adjacent to ours, so before I know it, the three of them are sitting down next to us. The blonde-haired guy asks the brown-haired guy if he could get him a Long Island Iced Tea, whatever that is, and the girl asks for a bourbon.

The brown-haired guy bumps into our end chair when he turns. With lightning speed, he reaches out to keep the chair upright. When he looks up at us, he looks eerily familiar to me, but I don’t think I know him.

“Sorry, guys,” he says, “I didn’t mean to almost knock over your chair.”

“It’s fine. No harm. Don’t worry about it, man,” I say, lifting my pilsner toward him. “You look familiar. Do you live around here?” I ask. Maybe I went to high school with him or something. Maybe his family owns a rental up here where they visit frequently.

“Uh no, I actually live in Kalispell, but we’ve been coming to Topaz Falls since I was a kid. Kieran, nice to meet you,” he says, reaching his hand out to shake each of our hands in turn, “This is my partner, Leo, and our best friend, Paisley.”

“Well, one of our best friends,” chimes Leo from behind him.

“Leo, I know my sister is a best friend, but in my book, a sister still ranks top.” He turns and heads for the bar.

Then it hits me. His sister must be Aislinn. I see it now in the high cheekbones and strong jaw. The chocolate hair and thick dark eyelashes. His eyes are not blue, though; they are a deep shade of mahogany. That is why I didn’t see it at first. Now,I can’t unsee it. They could be twins. Where is she? Shouldn’t she be here with them? The reason I came tonight was to see her.

After he returns from the bar, I excuse myself to go get another beer before the music starts. As I attempt to get Alex’s attention, there is a sound check with the mic. Over the speaker system I hear the throaty voice of our favorite local band. “Welcome to Glaciers Bar & Grill tonight, everyone. We are glad you could join us. We have Rick on the drums, I’m on the guitar, and Sylvie is on the fiddle. We are the Buckshot Rebels! Feel free to sing along or dance. There is a nice open dance floor up in the front. We will be doing some good line dancing tonight, so I hope you wore your best boots.” A loud cheer erupts, followed by utter silence.

You could hear a pin drop. The lights dim, and spotlights hit the three musicians. I look back to our table, wondering if I should make my way over there or wait here at the bar until the first song finishes. I'm starting to wonder if she is going to be a no show. I see my friends talking to her friends, with big smiles, except for Trent. He is watching the woman, Paisley, with a furrow in his brow.

Just as I think the song is about to start, the front door bangs open, and a gust of wind whips around me. Without warning, she arrives. Aislinn is standing in the doorway with her hair long and loose, a wide-neck blue shirt, and denim cut-off shorts. She takes my breath away. My heart pounds in my chest so loudly I’m afraid she can hear it from there. As quickly as it opened, the door shuts, and I try like hell to suck in a breath. She’s hit me like a category five hurricane.

Suddenly, I realize the band hasn’t started playing yet, and when I look around, everyone is turned, watching her entrance. I clench my fists at the thought of other guys’ eyes on her.

Slowly, her boot heels snap against the wood flooring as she makes her way further into the bar. I can tell her eyes are still adjusting to the low light because her gaze is unfocused. She’s looking around trying to get her bearings.

My eyes don’t leave her. She must feel my gaze locked onto her because a moment later, her glacial stare latches on mine, and my knees lock me in place.

Chapter 15

Aislinn

Iwas rushing to get the last of the movers out of the house. They arrived right on time and unloaded the truck at record speed. It was already 7:40 p.m. when I told Paisley, Kieran, and Leo to go down to the bar and get us some seats. I quickly showered off and found a comfortable shirt to throw on with the only pair of denim shorts I owned. I grabbed my blue and teal cowgirl boots and ran out the door. Chloe seemed in heaven with her dog bed in the living room, so I’m not too worried about her. She wasn’t stressed at all when I left the house.

I stand a few steps inside the door of the bar. It’s so quiet and dark. My eyes are struggling to adjust. I'm trying to get my bearings after the wind yanked the door out of my grip.

The band is at the front, and it appears I arrived just in time. I was so afraid I would miss some of it. Now, to just find Kieran. I scan the room, starting at the bar, and my breath catches. Like tunnel vision, my eyes lock on a pair of intense green eyes staring straight into my soul. Electricity shoots down my spine just like it did yesterday when I met—oh my goodness, Lachlan. He’s here. In this bar. In Topaz Falls, Montana. My new home. His gaze is hungry and intense. I refuse to be the one to drop eye contact first.

Without acknowledging another person in the bar, I slowly stride toward this handsome man, who makes me feel like the only woman in the room. Subconsciously, I know that the entire bar is still quiet, but it’s dark enough that I hope no one can see the blush spreading across my cheeks. His attention causes my legs to feel uncoordinated, but I’m determined to get closer to him.

I have no memory of how I made it the entire thirty feet to the back of the bar without knocking anyone or anything over. When I come to a stop, the toes of my boots are pressed against his. I forgot how tall he is as I slowly raise my chin to continue looking straight into his eyes. Our eye contact never breaks. I’m not sure either of us even blinks. I’m relieved to see I seem to have the same effect on him that he has on me.

“Hi, Lachlan,” I say a little breathlessly.

The deep rumble of his voice sends a shiver to my toes, “Hey, Hurricane, I’m glad your storm blew you in here.”

I wrinkle my brow and wonder if he doesn’t remember me from yesterday, or maybe he just doesn’t remember my name. Having so many patients, both the animal and their owner to remember, has made my name recall over the years quite good. I clear my throat, “Actually, my name is Aislinn Braniff. I’m the new vet in town. We met yesterday at the North Bend gas station. I'm not sure if you remember me, but your dog met Chloe.”

He reaches out to shake my hand, which I accept. Immediately, feelings of warmth envelop me. Unexpectedly, he gives me a little tug forward when he shakes my hand, setting me off balance. My hand lands on his abs to steady myself, and I suck in a deep breath. I catch the smell of cedar and leather. I close my eyes, but they shoot open when right at my ear, his voice whispers, “I remember you, Hurricane. When I lookinto those mesmerizing eyes, you knock the wind out of me. Every. Single. Time. Eyes that have been in every reflection and dancing in every fire since we met. Blue flames that haunted my dreams last night and starred in every daydream.”

Goosebumps rise along my arms, and I involuntarily shiver at the feel of his warm breath at my ear. For fear my voice will come out thready, I clear my throat and gently push off his extremely firm abs, feeling every ridge flex beneath my fingertips, until I’m upright again.

Looking up through my lashes, I tip my head and look back into his eyes. I hear the subtle sound of his breath catching and realize every word he just uttered was truthful. His eyes are heavy-lidded as he searches my face, but for what? I’m not sure. I have a feeling I will be addicted to his man. His presence is calming yet electrifying.

“Can I buy you a drink?” he asks.

I hesitantly respond, “Well, I don’t drink alcohol, but I would love a bottle of water?”

He smiles and takes my hand, enveloping it in his. I relish the feel of his calluses as they press into my soft palm.

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