Page 32 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

She shakes her head. “No, it looked, I’m not sure, almost turquoise, but I don’t think there are turquoise deposits in Montana, are there?” she asks.

“Not that I’m aware of,” I say. “What about topaz? Do you think there is a chance it could be a topaz mine? I mean, this is Topaz Falls, and that trail, which my grandfather named, is called Topaz Ridge.”

Laughing, she brings her fingers to her necklace and slides the pendant back and forth. “My brother bought me this topaz necklace when I told him I was moving to Topaz Falls. I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together. It has to be topaz. Did your grandfather ever mention topaz on the ranch?” she asks.

I grin and shake my head. “I wish I had paid closer attention or, at least, I don’t know, asked more questions.”

She sighs wistfully. “Well, if you let me, I would love to help you figure out this mystery.”

I nod. “I’d love your help. Are you free to ride back out there with me tomorrow?”

She looks at her ankle and hands, then shrugs a shoulder while pursing her lips to the side. Tilting her head, a smile breaks across her face, and she asks, “Do you think Thunder could carry us both out there? Then I wouldn’t have to use the stirrups or hold the reins.”

“Oh, I think he would manage just fine. Will you be okay riding with my arms around you?” I ask with a grin.

“Exactly what I had in mind,” she says with a wink. Suddenly, her stomach grumbles, and my smirk disappears.

“You’re hungry,” I state. Frowning, I realize it’s getting quite late. Thinking out loud, I say, “How about I make you some food, then get you a set of fresh towels so you can take a shower. I'll ask Ingrid for some sweatpants and a t-shirt you can borrow. I don’t feel comfortable with you driving home this late and with your injuries. After we eat, I’ll make up the guest bedroom. This way, you can get sleep, and I can help with Chloe. I promise to make you some breakfast in the morning, too.”

She smiles and replies, “Lachlan, that sounds absolutely perfect. Any chance you can make pancakes or waffles for dinner? I feel like comfort food tonight.”

As I stand up to go to the kitchen, I wink at her and scoff, “Sweetheart, bacon crème pancakes are my specialty.”

Chapter 29

Aislinn

I’m so full. He wasn’t joking. Bacon crème pancakes are my new favorite food. I wonder if I could trick Kieran into making them for me regularly. Maybe Lachlan won’t notice if I start showing up for daily meals? No, he probably would, but would he mind? Hopefully not.

I grin as I go to stand. A grunt from behind startles me as strong arms pick me up and proceed to carry me toward the guest bathroom. A towel, a toothbrush, and a small pile of clothes wait for me on the counter. Lachlan sets me down and reaches in to get the water started. Biting his lower lip, he looks at me with a concerned furrow to his brow.

“I’ll be fine,” I say encouragingly. “The pain meds should kick in soon.”

He gives me a jerky nod before turning and closing the bathroom door behind him. His voice rumbles through the door, “If you need me for anything, just call for me.”

“Don’t worry, I really will be okay,” I call back.

I’m thankful Ingrid was able to bring me a change of clothes. My current outfit is caked in dirt, but Lachlan said we could wash them tonight and let them dry overnight.

Taking a long, hot shower and brushing my teeth is just what my body needed. When I leave the bathroom, the mirror is coated in a layer of steam, which wafts out behind me. I step into my bedroom and see the covers pulled back. Sleep sounds so inviting right now. I’m tempted to crawl into bed, but I first want to talk to Lachlan a little more. I’m so excited to ride back up to the ridge on Thunder tomorrow.

I limp down the hallway. The ice helped tremendously. The limp feels like a subconscious precautionary movement instead of a response to physical pain. I know Lachlan gave me some Advil at dinner, so maybe it’s just the pain reliever kicking in, but my ankle definitely feels better.

I hear singing in the kitchen and follow the deep baritone voice down the hallway. I see Lachlan's broad back standing at the farm sink as he dries the last of our dishes. I’m amazed. Lachlan has a captivating singing voice. I lean against the doorframe and close my eyes. My body begins to sway to the rhythm of his melody. He could probably sing the Montana White Pages, and it would relax me.

The sound of his voice gets closer until I can feel his warm breath singing into my hair. His hands tenderly wrap around my lower back as he sways with me and continues to sing. I finally make out the words to a Thomas Rhett song I love called “Die a Happy Man.”

I giggle into his chest. “I love this song.”

“Me too. Should I put on some music?” he asks.

I shake my head. “No, just keep singing to me, please. Your voice is soothing.”

Without warning, he lifts my feet off the ground, and I instinctively wrap them around his waist. Resting my head on his shoulder, he twirls me around the kitchen a few times before carrying me back to the living room. After swaying a few moretimes, he places me down on the couch as he sings the last phrase of the song. Kissing my nose, he deposits himself right next to me.

He lifts his arm, wrapping it around my shoulder and gently tugging me toward his chest. My body melts into his warmth. I can tell he took a shower before cleaning up the kitchen. The tips of his hair are still a little wet, and he smells amazing, like mountain air with woodsy undertones. I close my eyes and slowly inhale, committing the smell to memory.

He clears his throat, and I can hear him smile as he asks, “Would you like to watch a movie before bed, or would prefer to continue sniffing me?”

---