The Dragon Guardian (Lochguard Highland Dragons 2)

Despite his light tone, Gina noticed the sadness in the doctor’s eyes. The poor man was probably thinking of his unborn child. How he dealt with birthing children as part of his career, Gina had no idea.

“Well, he’ll have to deal with me. Just because I’m human doesn’t mean I’m going to allow my son to walk all over me. Him changing into his dragon form won’t affect my resolve one bit.”

The doctor chuckled. “You’ll do, Gina MacDonald. You’ll do.” Dr. Innes picked up his clipboard. “I wish I could chat longer, but old Cal and Archie have been up to their tricks again and I need to check both of them for broken bones.” The doctor nodded to them both. “Don’t hesitate to call me when you need it.”

Gina murmured, “Thank you.” And in the next second, she was alone again with Fergus.

Looking up at him, she asked, “Can you help me sit up?”

As he helped her off her back, he spoke up. “Do you remember old Cal and Archie?”

Gina grunted and swung her legs to the side. “How could I forget? They accidentally dropped a boulder into our yard.”

Fergus grinned. “Aye, Archie’s grip slipped. But those two have been at it for most of their lives and won’t stop until they’re dead. Even then, one will probably claim to see the other’s ghost walking about and try to tease it.”

Gina started pulling on her clothes. “Let’s just hope they don’t drop a boulder on top of our house.”

Fergus leaned down to nibble her ear. “Our house, aye? I like the sound of it.”

She shook her head. “Why you still keep your stuff in the other half, I’ll never understand.”

He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I don’t want to rush you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And yet you speak for me with the doctor?”

“You know why.”

Gina did. But since she hadn’t had time to speak with Finn, she couldn’t guarantee their future. As much as she wanted to claim Fergus as her own, she couldn’t.

That reminded her. “I need to see Finn as soon as possible.”

“But you have an appointment with him tomorrow.”

“Well, it can’t wait. I’m tired of him canceling. As my Guardian, you need to help me. Otherwise, I’ll resort to my own tactics.”

Fergus growled. “You’re due any time now. Don’t be daft, lass. As I’ve said before, you’re safe here.”

“That’s not the reason. I need to talk with Finn. Believe me, you’ll thank me later.”

“And yet you won’t tell me why?”

“I just need you to trust me in this, Fergus. Can you do that?”

Fergus studied her a second before his pupils flashed. “Fine. You can thank my dragon’s incessant roaring. I think he’s going to always take your side over mine from now on.”

She beamed. “I guess me petting him in dragon form yesterday is helping my case. I might just have to scratch behind his ears again later.”

Fergus’s pupils changed to slits and back to round. “Thanks for that, lass. Next, you’ll convince my bloody beast to take you for a ride in one of the baskets despite being eight-and-a-half-months pregnant.”

“There’s an idea.” Fergus growled and Gina laughed. “You’re so easy to tease.”

“Aye, well, if you want my help with Finn, you might want to be nice to me.”

Gina tilted her head. “Oh, you haven’t seen anything yet. Wait until I can actually sneak about instead of waddle. I have a few surprises in store for you, Fergus MacKenzie. Unless you’re too old for a little fun now and then?”

He moved to stand between her legs. “Twenty-nine isn’t old. I thought I’d proved that to you by now.”

Placing a hand on his chest, she fluttered her eyelashes. “I may have forgotten. After all, I have pregnancy brain and my memory is a little faulty.”