Page 82 of Eyes Like a Hurricane

He snorts. “Sure, sweetheart, if interesting is the descriptive word you want to go with, then interesting it is. Let’s head inside and see how everything is going for opening day.”

Grabbing the door, Lachlan ushers me inside. The lights are dim, and it seems so quiet.

With a look of concern, I call out, “Britt? Are you here?”

There’s no response. I’m about to go investigate the back-rooms, for fear James did something before we got here.

Sudden laughter and boisterous voices come from behind us, and we turn to see Freya leading the way through the front door with a big pink box in her hands. Oliver, Britt, and Daniella are on her heels, all holding coffee cups from Sleepy Mountain Roasters. I glance at Oliver and Daniella and see they are each holding two cups.

I frown up at Lachlan. Coffee sounds kind of good now.

Freya sees us first and squeals. “Doc, you made it back! How was the appointment? All clear and ready for action?”

I smile and squeeze Lachlan’s waist.

Leaning my head against his chest, I respond, “Yes. All the stitches are gone. I’m on the mend.”

Lachlan grips my hip and kisses the top of my head.

Oliver clears his throat, “We all arrived early so we could go over to see Anders and pick up coffee and pastries. He knew your preferred orders, so we got you each a coffee, too. Straight up black for Lachlan, a man after my own heart. Then some oat milk concoction with no caffeine for you, Doc.”

“We also brought some sandwiches, too,” Britt says sheepishly as she extends a paper bag toward me.

My eyes burn with the kindness of my new group of coworkers. This is why I moved here. I wanted nothing more than camaraderie and a business dedicated to making the lives of animals better. Finding the place you are meant to be is a heady sensation. Why did it take so long to get here? After college, I should have come home, but maybe the stars weren’t ready to align and reveal their plan yet. In the end, this all worked out for the best. I only wish it hadn’t involved a trip to the ER, but with my track record, one was bound to happen.

We all chat for a few more minutes until an elderly man with a portly dog waddles up to the door. Lachlan gives me a swift kiss and then places his forehead against mine.

“Have a great first day, Hurricane. Save some baby animals for me,” he murmurs against the shell of my ear.

I grin up at him. “That’s me. I’m a rescuer of all things living, big or small.”

He sobers, looking me in the eye. “You sure are, Hellcat. You rescued me when I didn’t even realize I needed rescuing. I wish I could stay and watch you in action, but my first client is due to arrive at noon, and then I’m booked solid through 4 p.m.”

I go up on my tiptoes and offer him one last, lingering kiss.

“See you after work, handsome.” Grabbing the brim of his hat, I playfully tug it down.

A man in a cowboy hat is a sight I will never tire of in this lifetime or the next.

The lopsided grin he gives me makes me want to forget what is happening today and crawl back into bed with him. Later.

As he turns to leave, he says, “I look forward to spending the 4th and my birthday with you this year.”

“The first of many,” I call out.

He turns and winks, tipping that darn hat before striding toward his truck. His long legs eat up the distance, and before I know it, his truck is no longer in my parking lot.

I turn toward my crew to see what my schedule looks like for the day.

Britt sighs, “I want a man to look at me like I hung the moon and the stars and was the creator of his universe.”

My cheeks flame at her observation. I do like the soulful look Lachlan gives me. He makes me feel like the only woman in the room and the only person in his life. I know I’m not, nor do I want to be, but feeling special is a new sensation for me. He doesn’t treat me like arm candy or a good paycheck. Lachlan treats me with respect. The adoration in his touches and facial expressions is enchanting.

I bite my lower lip. “Alright, team. Who is first on the schedule?”

Daniella responds, “We have a lot of annual check-ups and vaccines today. Everyone who has been holding off on taking their pets in for annual check-ups booked you out for the next couple of weeks. As requested, we are leaving one to two hours a day free for emergency appointments. This afternoon, you have one visit to Toker’s Farm down Old Mill Road. His pig needs to be seen. He asked if it would be okay for you to come at 4:00 p.m.?”

I nod in understanding and am really glad someone didn’t try to bring a pig to the clinic.

---