The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

His dragon huffed and disappeared to the back of his mind.

Great. His beast was throwing another tantrum.

With a sigh, Fraser pushed his legs to move faster. He had only a few more minutes before reaching home and he needed to think of an excuse. And not just any excuse, but one that his mother would actually believe.

An idea hit just as he finally approached the MacKenzie household.

The second he stepped foot inside the door, his mum’s voice rang out. “Fraser, come here.”

Since he’d long ago figured out which battles to fight with his mother, he moved toward the kitchen. “Hey, Mum. Whatever you’re cooking smells fantastic.”

Lorna turned with a wooden spoon in her hand. Her eyes darted to his cheek and hair before returning to his eyes. “What happened to you? Please tell me you weren’t found rolling around in a field with a lass again. Most of the dragon-shifter parents with females your age already give me the stink eye.”

He shrugged. “All of their daughters are of age. They can make their own decisions.”

He reached for an apple, but his mum smacked him with the spoon. “I need those for my tarts.”

With a dramatic sigh, he answered, “I guess I’ll just go hungry again.”

Lorna rolled her eyes and turned back toward the cooker. “Find your own place if you don’t like it.”

“What and have to cook all of my own food? The horror.”

Lorna snorted. “You truly would starve then.”

“Speaking of one of your children moving out, where’s Fergus?”

“Upstairs, doing what you should be doing right now: showering.” She glanced at him. “If you want to eat at my table, you’d better clean up.”

Time to test his excuse. “I’ll shower, but I’m going to miss supper, Mum.”

Lorna turned around again. “Tonight is important, Fraser Moore MacKenzie. Unless you’re dying or fending off a horde of dragon hunters, you’re coming to supper.”

Despite being twenty-eight years old, it still took every ounce of self-control Fraser possessed to not fidget under Lorna’s piercing amber-colored gaze.

But for both the good of the clan as well as his brother’s happiness, Fraser stayed strong. “There’s been a setback at the new warehouse project at the edge of our land. If I don’t go and figure out a solution to the foundation problem, the whole project might have to be scrapped.” When Lorna eyed him even more closely, he added, “Finn needs the warehouse for his grand plans for the clan. Without it, we can’t stockpile crafts and wooden furniture to sell during the high tourist season. You know how he wants to add to our fish and agricultural income.”

Lorna waggled her spoon. “You have three hours before supper, which is plenty of time to go to the site, check it out, and come back. Your brain always works best after a night’s sleep on an issue.” She nodded toward the door. “Go. I expect you back in time for supper.”

The problem with arguing with your mum was that she knew all of your tricks. The bloody female was right—Fraser always worked best by finding out a problem and sleeping on it. Nine times out of ten, he’d wake up with an answer.

Since he didn’t have a better excuse, Fraser sighed. “Fine. But if Finn is upset about the delay, you can explain it to him.”

“Fraser, stop wasting my time and get your arse out the door. I have too much to do here to argue with you any more.”

“I feel the love, Mother. I feel the love.”

“Go, you bloody rascal. I don’t care how old you are, I will smack your bum with my spoon to get you out of my kitchen.”

As Fraser exited the kitchen and made a beeline for the door, his dragon laughed. That’s why I didn’t fight you too much. I knew Mum would make you attend.

Shut it, dragon. I’m not in the mood.

I need to reserve my strength for our female later, anyway. Have fun creating and solving a made-up problem. You know Mum will ask about it.

As his dragon laughed again, Fraser gritted his teeth. So much for trying to be noble and give Fergus a chance with Holly. Thanks to his mother, Fraser was going to be sitting at the same bloody table with her.

Not only that, but in full view of his family.