The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 1) (21 page)

Arabella tried to frown, but broke into a smile. “Then we’d better hurry before Faye finds them or there won’t be any left.”

As they turned and walked out the front door, Arabella took comfort in her dragonman’s heat and scent. He might have distracted Arabella with food, but Finn was worried about Fraser. Her mate cared deeply for his family.

Her dragon spoke up.
You both worry too much. Fraser will win the female back or he won’t. There’s nothing we can do but wait.

Waiting isn’t always easy, dragon.

No, but sometimes it gives the greatest reward.

Agreeing with her beast, Arabella looked up at Finn. He had most definitely been worth waiting for.

Chapter Fifteen

Holly watched the gentle rise and fall of her father’s chest. The steady rhythm, combined with the approving look in the doctor’s eyes, gave her hope that everything would be okay.

She should remain quiet and wait for the doctor to finish. After all, Holly knew well that too many questions could delay an examination; she’d experienced it herself as a nurse. Yet as the doctor jotted another note on her clipboard, Holly couldn’t help but blurt out, “Is he doing any better?”

The female doctor smiled at her. “He is, actually. We should be able to discharge him tomorrow, provided you can take him home and keep a close eye on him.”

She gestured with her thumb toward the door. “Will they come with me?”

The doctor lowered her clipboard. “I believe so. The DDA is afraid of you and your father becoming targets again. But from what I’ve heard, the DDA enforcers usually keep watch from outside your house to give you a little privacy.”

“But not much.”

The doctor smiled. “You’ve pretty much lived inside of this hospital for the past two weeks. Being home should be a nice change.”

The only problem was that Holly was torn about where to call home—Aberdeen or Lochguard.

Since Holly had also been watched closely because of the miscarriage during her stay at the hospital—the DDA was concerned about suicide and/or depression—she quickly pushed aside thoughts of Lochguard or any of its inhabitants. She didn’t want to give the doctor anything to change her mind about discharging both Holly and her father.

Holly nodded. “Thank you, Dr. Brodie. I’m sure it will be.”

Dr. Brodie eyed her a second and then nodded toward the door. “How about you go get yourself something to eat? You’ve been using your special privilege to stay with your father and don’t go out often enough. If you don’t keep up your strength, then you won’t be able to help him.” Holly opened her mouth, but Dr. Brodie cut her off. “Either go eat something or I might reevaluate your father’s discharge for tomorrow.”

Since Holly had spent most of the last two weeks in the hospital, she was too tired to argue. As it was, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten. Maybe breakfast time?

Dr. Brodie raised an eyebrow and Holly sighed as she stood. “Fine, I will. But I’ll only be gone for ten or twenty minutes.”

“Take at least thirty. I’ll have a nurse stay with your father, just in case.”

Touching her father’s arm, Holly whispered, “I’ll be back soon, Dad.”

Then she drew on what little strength she had and trudged to the door. The short walk made her lightheaded, which told Holly her blood sugar was too low.

Exiting the room, Holly glanced at one of the two DDA guards posted at the door. His name was Andrew. He frowned. “Where are you going?”

“Just to the cafeteria. I’ll be back in half an hour.” The same guard opened his mouth, but Holly put up a hand to stop him. “No, I don’t need one of you to come with me. But if you want some coffee, I can bring some to you.”

Andrew flashed a smile. “That would be heaven, Ms. Anderson. The night shift is always bloody difficult.”

She looked to the other guard, but he shook his head. While Andrew was nice enough, the other guard rarely spoke two words together.

Not that Holly minded. Being social wasn’t high on her priority list at the moment.

Before either of them could change their minds about accompanying her, Holly went down the hallway and turned left to the elevator. Just after she pressed the down button, a familiar heat came up behind her.

Holly’s heart skipped a beat. There was no way Fraser MacKenzie would risk stepping foot inside a human hospital.

Then his familiar lilting voice filled her ear, “Hello, Holly.”

She turned to face him and she drew in a breath. Her handsome dragonman had circles under his eyes and red stubble on his cheeks. An average person might not recognize him, but Holly would know the shape of Fraser’s face anywhere.

He was finally here.

Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “You look like hell.”

The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Some males might try to use pretty words about your appearances. Hell, I would’ve done it a few months ago. But you look worse than me by at least a mile.”

Sadness flickered in his eyes and in that second, in her gut, she knew Fraser was aware of what had happened to the baby.
 

Not ready to have that conversation, Holly turned around. “You’re an idiot for being here, you know. All I have to do is shout and the DDA guards will come running.”

Fraser moved a fraction closer and Holly resisted leaning back against his hard chest. He whispered, “I call your bluff. If you truly want me gone, then shout. Otherwise, stop with the idle threats and talk to me.”

The elevator doors opened and Holly hesitated. The last thing she wanted was to talk with Fraser about losing their baby and discover Lochguard didn’t want her any more.

Yet she’d missed his comforting presence over the last few weeks. Just hearing his voice helped to ease her tiredness; she could just imagine what would happen if he held her close.

Given her lack of food and sleep, she might even breakdown.

And yet, she didn’t care if that happened or not. Because she would have her dragonman to lean on.

Making a decision, Holly stepped into the elevator. She turned around and raised an eyebrow. “Are you coming?”

Fraser grinned and the stubble on his cheeks only made him more attractive.

Her dragonman moved to stand next to her, yet he kept a small distance between them. Holly wanted to reach out and touch his cheek, but she clenched her fingers instead. If Lochguard had wanted her to come back, she would’ve heard of it by now. There was no reason to torture herself with dreams and wishes of what she couldn’t have.

It was best to find out the truth and get it over with as quickly as possible.

As the elevator descended, Holly met Fraser’s blue eyes. “Well? Why are you here, Fraser MacKenzie?”

~~~

Fraser’s gaze darted to the stray hair resting on Holly’s cheek. The sight reminded him of their first time alone, back in the greenhouse at Finn and Arabella’s house. Much like then, he wanted to tuck the dark tendrils behind her ear.

Yet he knew it might be too soon. The lass’s reaction to his grin told him she was still attracted to him. But Fraser wanted more than attraction; he wanted her heart.

His dragon huffed.
Then get on with it already. I don’t like these games.

Hey, you’re the one who wanted a challenge. Holly is definitely turning out to be our biggest challenge to date.

Just woo her. She looks tired and sad and I don’t like it.

Fraser watched as Holly leaned against the side of the elevator. Her cheeks were definitely too pale and the redness of her eyes spoke of little sleep.

Or, he hoped it was only because of lack of sleep. The image of his strong lass crying didn’t sit well with him.

His dragon growled.
Pull her close and comfort her. She wants it, but fights it.

I won’t force it. Let me talk to her first. She’s been through hell, after all.

Don’t wait too long or we could lose her.

Give me some credit, dragon.

His beast fell silent and retreated to the back of his mind. Fraser met Holly’s eyes again. They were unreadable. He decided to screw being gentle. “I’m here for you, Holly Anderson. Why haven’t you bloody tried to call me or even send me a message?”

She blinked. “Why would I?”

Fraser moved in front of Holly until their bodies were mere inches apart. “I know I fucked up and couldn’t protect you. But if you think I’m just going to let you get away, then you’re crazy.”

“Why? Because I’m your true mate and your dragon’s needs tell you to go after me?”

He leaned his face down until it was a hair’s breadth away from hers. “If you haven’t noticed, the frenzy is over and I still came for you.” He gently took her biceps in his fingers. “I want you to come back to Lochguard.” He squeezed her arms. “I want you to come back to me.”

Holly’s eyes turned wet. “I can’t, Fraser. I think you already know, but I lost the baby. Finn will probably turn me away in favor of finding another sacrifice who can see her contract through to the end.”

Fraser growled. “Fuck that. Even if I have to challenge Finn in public to keep him from turning you away, I will. Give us a chance, Holly. That’s all I’m asking for.” He brushed the hair from her cheek. “Even if we’re never gifted with a child again, I still want you by my side.”

She searched his eyes for a second before replying, “I—” Holly swallowed and then continued, “I don’t know.” He opened his mouth, but she placed her forefinger over his lips. “I want to make sure my father is doing okay first.”

He growled and she removed her finger. “And then you’ll come back to me?”

She looked away and it took everything he had not to force her gaze back. He wanted to know what she was thinking.
 

Holly finally answered, “Maybe. We’ve had little chance to really get to know each other, Fraser. I can’t decide my life without being more certain.”

“Then I will erase all of your doubts, honey. Just wait and see. I’ll win you back if it’s the last thing I do.”

The elevator doors opened and Fraser moved to Holly’s side. Thanks to his long-sleeved jumper and careful use of language, no one had guessed he was a dragon-shifter yet. He needed to keep it that way.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, Fraser murmured, “Have supper with me. We can consider it our first real date.”

When his female smiled, some of his tension eased as they started walking. “Having a first date with you now, after everything, seems a bit ridiculous.”

“You’re the one who wanted us to get to know each other better. If it were up to me, I’d take both you and your father home to Lochguard and make it my life’s purpose to see you smile every day.”

Holly looked away from his gaze. “I’d like to see you try.”

Fraser whispered into her ear, “You should know to never challenge a dragon-shifter. I’ll have to see it through now.”

His female shivered and Fraser’s dragon rumbled in approval.
She doesn’t hate us. Just like I told you. She will come home with us.

Confidence doesn’t make it truth.

It usually does for me.

Holly looped her arm around Fraser’s waist and he forgot all about his beast. The simple gesture made his heart rate tick up.
 

Looking up, Holly gave a small smile. “Have you ever had hospital food before?”

“No. Why? Is it full of secret vitamins or something?”

Holly merely shook her head and Fraser started to worry. Surely the lass wouldn’t try to poison him.

~~~

For the first time in a week, Holly had nearly forgotten about the dragon dropping her out of the sky, her father’s health, and the loss of her child.
 

Despite everything hanging over her head, Holly was feeling mischievous. For whatever reason, Fraser MacKenzie’s mere presence helped her to forget about her problems.

A small part of her wondered if she’d been an idiot to assume the worst of Fraser and his clan. Yet Holly had learned a long time ago to be careful. Her mother’s death had taught her that lesson the hard way.

No.
She wouldn’t allow anything to ruin her supper with Fraser. She sure as hell could use a small break from real life.
 

Holly nodded toward a table at the far end of the room. “Sit there and wait for me. It should be somewhat private.”

He grunted. “I’m not sure it’s wise to allow you to choose my food.”

She raised an eyebrow. “I find it hard to believe you’re a picky eater.”

Fraser glanced toward the section of the cafe selling food. “As long as it is food.”

She smiled. “Some might say it’s not, but it shouldn’t kill you.”

Fraser looked back to her eyes. “The ‘shouldn’t’ part of your sentence worries me.”

Shoving Fraser’s side, she motioned toward the table with her head. “Just go, already. I’ll be there in a second.”

After giving her an assessing glance, Fraser headed toward the far side of the room.

As she took a tray and surveyed the choices, Holly felt a little evil and selected the blandest items on offer for Fraser and her favorites for herself. She paid for them and soon slid into the chair across from Fraser. Her dragonman scrunched his nose. “That doesn’t smell right.”

Holly bit her lip to keep from grinning. “That’s how it always smells.”

Poking it with a finger, Fraser asked, “What is it?”

“Stop being a baby and just try it.”

Fraser furrowed his brows, but he picked up a fork and scooped up a bit of mashed potatoes.

As Fraser made a face, Holly finally let out a laugh. Her dragonman growled out, “That isn’t real food, Holly. What the hell are you trying to feed me?”

When she could stop giggling, she motioned toward Fraser’s plate. “It’s potatoes.”

He dropped his fork with a clang. “That is not bloody potatoes. It’s as if someone mixed cardboard with a wee bit of butter and served it on a plate.” Fraser looked to her plate of fish and chips. “How about we share yours?”

Swiping a chip, she popped it into her mouth. Not even the hospital cafe could ruin the greasy, salty heaven of a hot chip. “They’re mine.” She ate another and moaned for effect. “And they’re good.”