Page 72 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

With renewed energy, I scream back, “Lachlan? Lachlan! I’m here! Can you hear me?”

On a choked sob, I hear the muffled cry of Lachlan’s deep voice. “Aislinn, sweetheart, are you okay?”

His voice cracks, and I almost lose it. The pain in his voice is visceral.

I clear my throat and try to project confidence I don’t have right now, but my voice comes out shaky as I fight through the pain. “I seem to have hit my head, but I made an improvised tourniquet out of my flannel shirt sleeve. I would really like to get out of here. I have been moving rocks for a little while now. It seems there was a cave-in while I was unconscious.”

Lachlan’s voice calls out a little rougher, “Aislinn, I need you to dig deep and find that inner hellcat I love so much. Noah is up top. I’m not getting any cell reception, so I’m going to go back out and call up to him. More people will be here soon. We will get you out of there and make sure you get the medical attention you need. I think Cody had something to do with all this. A shitstorm happened at the ranch after you disappeared. I can’t explain it now. Hang tight, okay?”

I nod even though I know he can’t see me, I call out, “I won’t go far, handsome.”

I can’t hear his footsteps retreating, but the feeling of being alone intensifies. I’m not claustrophobic, but the reality of my current situation claws at my back. My breath becomes shallow, and I grip the wall to stay upright. Not much longer.Lachlan is getting help. I suddenly gasp. Lachlan said Cody did this to me?

Memories come flooding back as if I’m watching a still-frame movie. The sharp pain in my head. A man’s silhouette standing above me. A male’s hard voice. Placing my shaking hands to my mouth, I whimper. Why is he doing this to me? But I didn’t recognize the voice, did I? I’d have known Cody’s voice.

If it was him, it sure as hell isn’t going to win my affections. My fear turns to anger. I’m going to lay him flat the next time I see him. How dare he?

Gaining a renewed energy, I ignore the throbbing in my skull and begin removing rocks at double speed. I force the nausea back. Cody doesn’t realize just what pissed off looks like on me.

With each layer of rock, fragments of light begin to filter through. I begin sobbing with delight. My cries catch in my throat as male voices get louder.

“Lachlan?” I sob.

“Sweetheart? Your voice sounds closer!” Lachlan encourages.

“Yeah, I couldn’t sit back and wait to be rescued. I have a body to bury, and it isn’t mine.”

A choking sound comes from outside the rock wall.

The voice is strained as he says, “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that. If anyone asks, I was still climbing down the slope.”

“Edwin?” I ask. Laughter bubbles up from inside me. “Don’t worry, I won’t make you put an APB out for my arrest. I’ll hire Axel.”

The rest of the men laugh and then sober. “We are going to slowly start removing the rocks, but only enough to create ahole you can climb through. We can’t tell if the frame collapsed too.”

I’ve lost track of time. My hands are cut and bloody, but a hole the size of a tire is now visible on the top corner of the entrance.

“Hurricane? How are you doing?” Lachlan asks softly.

Scoffing with frustration, “I’ve honestly been better. I’m starving.”

“Getting a little hangry in there, buttercup? Need a candy bar?” Noah taunts.

“Shut up,” I growl. “I think the hole is big enough for me to come through.”

“Be careful,” Lachlan pleads.

I place a foot on one of the larger rocks on the ground and push up against the wall. I give a little shove against the remaining wall to check the stability. Hopefully this holds my weight. Placing my left foot in the next foothold I can find, I slowly pull myself up. The cave isn’t very tall, so on the next rock, I’m able to see out the hole.

I have about a foot or two to shimmy through before I’m back to breathing fresh air. With renewed intensity, I begin to army crawl through the opening. Rocks scrape against my back and chest as I inch through.

A set of strong hands grips under my armpits while a hand comes up to hold my shirt against my head. I wrap my arms around Lachlan’s neck and let the guys continue to ease me out of the hole. Arms extend under my torso as they continue to float me forward. A final set grabs under my legs.

I keep my face buried into Lachlan’s neck as I silently cry in relief. My body is lowered toward the ground, but before my feet can touch, Lachlan lifts me into his arms. He proceeds tocarry me bridal style out from the overhang. His breaths come out deep and rough. His relief is palpable.

The bright light of the day assaults my sensitive eyes, and I bury my face against his chest to block out the light and rain. My pupils are still too dilated. My body is shaking from fatigue. The adrenaline is pulsing through my bloodstream, making my fight-or-flight instinct intense. When the adrenaline crashes, I’ll be a mess.

Three sets of boots squelch in the mud as Lachlan carries me along the ledge to the slope. A round of cheers rings out, echoing off the cliff walls, when we come into sight.

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