Page 23 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

“Hot as Thor, huh?” he asks as his fingers dig into the back of my hips. “I will take that as a compliment and leave on that good note. See you at 4 p.m., Hurricane. Bring those cowgirl boots. Hey, Callum, you ready to go?”

“Am I ready to go? I think I should be the one asking you, Romeo. I assumed you forgot I was even here. Luckily, I had Anders here to keep me company,” says Callum as he pats Anders on the back and strides toward the front door.

Lachlan winks at me, then before turning toward the door, bends his head and gently kisses the corner of my mouth.

As I watch him leave, my trembling fingers reach up to gently touch the spot his lips just pressed.

I startle as a shadow moves up beside me. “You and Lachlan, huh? Be careful with him, okay? He is a really great guy, and you are the first woman who has caught his attention in I don’t know how long. In the couple years I've been here, I haven’t even seen him on a date. At least one I can remember, unlike Callum, who is a bit of a serial dater.”

I smile at Anders and reply, “Don’t worry. I have no intention of hurting him. I’m a bit afraid he may hurt me. I thinkI may be falling hard and fast for that gentle cowboy. Catch me if I fall flat, okay, Anders?”

Grinning, he looks down at me and reminds me so much of Kieran when he says, “I don’t think I will need to keep you from falling flat. I think that cowboy will always be there to catch you, no matter which direction you may start to fall.”

I break eye contact and glance down at my shoes. “Thanks, Anders. I know you are good friends with my brother, so I trust your judgment here. I plan to see where this goes between Lachlan and me. It looks like I have a date with Lachlan, Thunder, and Hurricane this afternoon. But first, I have to get to the clinic, and I’m already late. Luckily, they have keys, but I feel bad keeping them waiting.”

Before I get a chance to reach the door, Ava comes rushing over with a to-go tray in her hand. I look between her and Anders.

He says, “Consider this a welcome gift and a pick-me-up for your staff on their first day. You've got four extra lattes there: one for each staff member, plus one more in case you need it.”

I step in and give him a side hug. “Thank you, Anders and Ava, that means a lot. I hope you two have a good day, and I will see you later this week.”

I get in the car at 9:06 a.m. and head to my new clinic.

Chapter 23

Aislinn

Ipull up to the front of the clinic and see a few cars in front. I slide out of the driver’s seat and reach onto the center console to grab the precarious tray of coffee. I whistle for Chloe to hop out behind me, and she trots next to my left hip to the door.

With a gentle nudge from my shoulder, the door swings inward, and I step into the air-conditioned space. I make my way over to the little check-in counter and set the coffee tray down. It’s a warm Formica top in various shades of red, brown, and beige. It almost looks like a combination of jasper and granite.

There is a little bell on top that my fingers itch to touch. Without a second thought, I gently tap the bell, and a metal dinging fills the small waiting area.

“I’ll be right out,” calls a masculine voice.

It isn’t a deep baritone but a clear tenor. A moment later, I’m greeted by a man about my age with deep-auburn hair. He is a few inches taller than me and athletically built. He has beautiful hazel eyes that dance from green to gold to brown as he passes through fragments of light coming in through the front windows.

He is the first to speak. “You must be Dr. Braniff. I’m Oliver Townsend, it’s great to meet you in person. The Zoom meeting worked out perfectly for our situation at the time, but face-to-face is a nice change.”

I reach out and shake his hand. “Oliver, it’s great to meet you in person. Please call me Aislinn. No need for formalities here. This clinic will be less formal than the big cities. I know what degree I have, and there are certificates and diplomas to prove it, but I prefer my first name when talking with friends and colleagues.”

He shakes my hand with a firm three pumps. “Yes, of course. Aislinn. I will try to remember that in the future. I look forward to working with you. I read your bio from your previous clinic. You are quite impressive. I hope to learn a lot from you.”

Smiling, I square my shoulders. “Thank you,” I reply. “I look forward to working with you, too. Have you seen a girl by the name of Britt Larson? She is going to be working at the front desk. Either this week or next, I have Daniella Philbrook and Freya Olson coming in as assistants.”

He shakes his head. Smiling, he murmurs, “Yeah, I’ve met Britt. She’s a lively one. Right now, she is in the back stockroom counting supplies off the list she found in the desk drawer, probably left by the previous owner.”

My smile is wide, and I reply, “I’m glad she is enthusiastic about the job.” I turn toward the hallway. “Britt? Britt?” I yell. “Can you come out for a minute? I want to introduce myself.”

I hear a clatter coming from the back, but before either Oliver or I can take a step in the direction of the noise, we hear, “I’m okay!”

I look at Oliver, and the corner of his mouth tilts up in amusement as his shoulders shake in silent laughter. I guess he's right, and I'll need to see Britt for myself.

A moment later, the slap of flats sounds from the hall. A girl a bit younger than us comes peeling around the corner. She has a mop of blonde curly hair and the sweetest brown eyes. She is grinning as she fixes the little sundress she is wearing and adjusts the matching headband. Barely over 5’0” tall, she marches up to me and reaches out her hand. “It’s so great to have you here, Dr. Braniff. The whole town is thrilled. My brother says all the people in town have been hoping and praying a vet would come to take over this practice. Doc MacAllen has some mighty big shoes to fill, but I’m here to help you in any way I can.”

I shake her hand as she pumps it up and down vigorously. “Thank you, Britt. It’s great to meet you, too. Please, call me Aislinn. No need for the Dr. Braniff formality here.” I motion to Chloe and continue, “Also, this lovely lady will be coming to the clinic with me most days. Please meet Chloe.”

Both Oliver and Britt crouch down and begin to rub Chloe. Her tongue lolls to the side as she gives them her doggy smile. Her back leg begins to tap against the floor.

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