Page 5 of Forever Found

Justin met Lyndsey’s gaze with a lifted brow. “Hi,” he said with a calm voice.

She smiled.

The owl eased onto Solis’s wrist, and she slowly brought the bird out. She transferred it carefully as it gradually stepped along her gloved arm. Holding the animal close to her, she whispered something Lyndsey couldn’t understand, nuzzling her forehead against the raptor’s neck as she gently stroked its breast.

Lyndsey held her breath. If the owl turned its head, it could easily take out a chunk of Solis’s cheek with its hooked beak. But it didn’t. It seemed as content as could be.

Solis gently ran her hand over the bird. Checking for injury, Lyndsey guessed. She didn’t want to ask since she didn’t want to interrupt the magical communication between the woman and the bird.

Finally, Solis said, “I’m going to name you Spencer. You’re a handsome guy.” She moved toward the door. “He’ll be fine. His wing may be weak for a short while, but it will heal. I’m going to take him home if he allows me to, okay?”

Justin nodded.

“You could put him back in the cage,” Lyndsey suggested.

Solis shook her head. “The animals I care for choose to be with me of their own free will. I don’t use cages. At least not small, confining ones like that. My larger, more dangerous animals live in huge enclosures. I use those mainly to protect the other animals.”

The woman was either brave or crazy.

“I’m a photographer,” Lyndsey said. “May I take your picture?”

“If that’s what you’re compelled to do.” Solis smiled.

As Lyndsey snapped a few shots, the woman didn’t pay her any attention. She was striking in her simple white sweater with her red hair braided down the back. In a calm voice, she continued to speak to Spencer. “I think you’ll like my place,” she said. “You can come and go as you please.”

After traveling through the house with Justin and Lyndsey following, Solis paused and grinned at Justin. “Thanks for calling me. He may not have fared well on his own. The wing doesn’t seem to be broken, but it’s definitely injured.”

“Glad you could help. He’s so beautiful.” Justin opened the front door for Solis.

She turned to Lyndsey. “It was nice meeting you. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thanks. Nice to meet you, too.” Lyndsey was still awed by the special connection Solis had with the owl.

When the door closed, Justin gave Lyndsey a giant hug, arching his back and lifting her feet off the ground. “I’m glad you could visit. It’s been too long.”

“Almost six years, I’d say.”

“Wow. Time flies. Were the roads bad? I was worried about the snow.”

“They’d been plowed, so I didn’t have any trouble,” she answered. “But I’ll need to put on the snow chains for my return trip.”

He nodded. “Well, let’s get your stuff inside and settle you in.”

They both traipsed outside. The taillights of Solis’s vehicle winked as she tapped her brakes, then continued down the street. Lindsey rubbed her hands up and down her arms at the chill.

Her belongings included one suitcase in the trunk and the camera equipment in the backseat, along with the supplies that had tumbled onto the floor. It was too cold to leave any equipment in the car since the temperature could damage the lenses, so she made sure she took everything inside.

Justin directed Lyndsey to her room, carrying one of her suitcases. Off the living area, a short hall formed aT. “The place has two bedrooms. Mine is on the left, yours the right, and we share a bathroom. I hope that’s okay with you.”

Lyndsey shrugged. “Just like when we were kids.”

“Yep. We’ve never lived in mansions.”

“Speaking of mansions. What can you tell me about the one around the corner? On Sleepy Hollow Way, I think. The owner’s name was David.”

“Thurston Mansion?”

She tilted her head. “It could be. I sort of stopped to ask for directions.”