The Dragon Family (Lochguard Highland Dragons 5)

Holly tsked at her mate. "I'm far from delivering at this point, Fraser. Besides, it's not as if Alba Boyd can time when she goes into labor. I've been checking in on her over the last eight and a half months, and she's lovely, if not a bit quiet." She looked back at Tyler. "Just put me in a room and have Logan check on me. We'll be fine for the foreseeable future. I've helped deliver a fair few bairns and know the drill."

Logan Lamont was one of Lochguard's nurses, who had been working with Holly on her dragon's blood research project.

As soon as Holly settled ungracefully into a wheelchair, Fraser wheeled her to the room she wanted. Once his cousins were out of sight, Finn turned back to Tyler. "So if Hamish and Alba Boyd are having a baby, then where's Meg Boyd? She wouldn't miss her latest grandchild's debut."

An older female's voice sounded behind him. "I'm right here, Finlay."

Turning slowly, Finn found Meg holding his daughter. To either side of her was one of her beaus, holding one of his sons each.

He closed the distance to the group. "Why didn't you call me?"

She shrugged. "You were busy, and besides, it'll be some time before Alba delivers my grandchild. Archie and Cal don't have any grandkids yet, so they were all too willing to come with me."

As each male looked at Meg with adoration, Finn started to think the rumors about all three of them being in a relationship were true.

He quickly took Freya from Meg and held his daughter close. "Where are the rest of your brood?"

Meg waved a hand in dismissal. "Alistair's doing some sort of research and said he'll come once the bairn is here. Graham is with his mate and children, and should be here soon. Unlike Lorna, I didn't go on my honeymoon at the same time as when one of my daughters-in-law were due. I'll have my whole family here for the event. I'm hoping we finally have a female Boyd. I love my sons and grandsons, but I could do with a wee girl to pass on my secrets."

Finn resisted pinching the bridge of his nose. "I ordered my aunt to take a holiday, Meg." And he decided to push the one angle that would drive the older female crazy. "After all, she managed to get all her children mated, and that can tire out a person."

Meg huffed. "Alistair is stubborn, like his father. Him being single isn't my problem any longer."

He raised an eyebrow. "I thought you always said it was the greatest duty of a mother to see her children mated."

Raising her head, Meg opened her mouth, but Arabella rushed into the surgery at that moment. In the blink of an eye, she had Declan on one hip and Grayson on the other. After kissing each of them, she smiled at Meg. "Thanks for watching them, Meg. You're the auntie they like best."

Finn bit his lip to keep from laughing. Arabella MacLeod had indeed come a long way if she were flattering the old biddy.

His dragon spoke up. She had to. You've become cranky with so little sleep.

Me? We're one and the same, dragon.

I at least have the sense not to irritate Meg Boyd. That could backfire spectacularly later on.

Hush.

Arabella moved to Finn's side. "Dr. Lewis agreed to watch over Stonefire, so Sid and Gregor should be here in about an hour."

Dr. Trahern Lewis was a junior doctor on Stonefire who usually preferred to stay sequestered in a research lab. Finn wondered how Arabella had managed that one.

Meg jumped in. "Why does Holly get two or three doctors and my Hamish's Alba only one?"

Finn kept his tone patient. "Because Holly is not only human, she's also having twins. Extra doctors seems reasonable, aye?"

"I suppose." Meg looked at Cal and Archie in turn. "Let's go check on how Alba's doing."

Arabella murmured an additional thank-you. Once the trio were gone, she smiled up at him. "You shouldn't let Meg get to you."

"She insulted Aunt Lorna."

"When does she not?"

"Fair point." Freya wiggled in his arms, and he turned his attention to his daughter. "Did Auntie Meg not play with you?" He lifted Freya up, down, and up again. "After all, dragon-shifters like to be in the sky now and again. Although we'll have to wait a few years before you go much higher, aye?"

Bringing her down, he gave Freya a sloppy kiss and settled her against his chest again. "I want to be here for Fraser and Holly, but keeping the bairns in the reception area won't be easy."

Tyler spoke up from behind them. "While it's not quite finished, Dr. MacFie's been having a playroom and nursery put together. There are a few cribs as well as toys. You can wait there, if you like."