The Dragon Warrior (Lochguard Highland Dragons 4)

“Grandpa Archie has been rather quiet as of late,” Cat replied. “I hope he’s not digging an underground tunnel under Cal’s property. Who knows what he’d do then. Maybe he’d do like the humans in World War II and try to blast underneath his target—Cal’s farm.”

“With sheep flying every which way.”

“And the pair of them blaming the other for the mess.”

They stared at one another, and even though dead sheep flying through the air shouldn’t be funny, they both burst out laughing.

Faye’s beast spoke up. It’s nice being around another female our age. I thought I wouldn’t like it since I’m not interested in so-called girlie things, but Cat is different.

She and I may have different professions, but we’re both fairly determined to succeed.

It will also be easier to ignore Grant with her at our side.

So now you want to ignore him?

The lust haze cleared. He was a jerk. He needs to bow down and apologize before I think of wanting to kiss him.

Faye had a feeling her dragon would lose that battle as soon as they saw Grant again, but kept that thought to herself. Unlike her brother Fraser, Faye had never spoiled her beast. She could contain her if need be.

Cat picked up her luggage and Faye did the same. As they made their way to the landing area, Faye steeled herself for what was to come. Putting her family and Cat’s together should be interesting, to say the least. If nothing else, the horde of people would keep Grant away since he hated big families.

~~~

Grant tapped his hand against his thigh as he leaned against the rock enclosure surrounding the landing area. He’d already said goodbye to his mum and brother, and was ready to leave. Glancing across the wide, open space, he tried not to grimace at the sight of the MacKenzies and MacAllisters surrounding Faye and Cat.

There were so bloody many of them.

We once had that much family, too, his dragon pointed out.

Not wanting to think of the past, Grant took out his mobile phone and was about to distract himself with text messages when the crowd cleared enough for him to spot Faye MacKenzie. She wore a loose-fitting dress that hid her body, but it wasn’t hard to imagine her trim waist or toned thighs.

Then the wind blew and her curly hair went every which way around her face. What he wouldn’t give to gather it in one hand and lightly tug her head back to kiss her.

Blinking, he looked away before she caught him gawking. Still, he couldn’t resist watching from the corner of his eye as each member of her family hugged her and said their goodbyes. He barely noticed Cat doing the same.

Seeing one happy family was bad enough, but two twisted his heart. As much as Grant tried to deny it, he missed his family. Not only his uncle, but his dad, aunt, and cousins, too.

His beast huffed. Why mention our father? He left with the other traitors and broke our mother’s heart. He’s not worth anyone’s time.

He’s a bastard now, but he wasn’t always so. No one can just block memories forever.

I could. I’m stronger than you.

So if our dad appeared right now in dragon form, you could kill him without a thought?

I don’t like to kill unless it’s necessary. But I’m not above kicking his arse.

Before he could reply, Lorna MacKenzie’s voice boomed across the landing area. “Grant McFarland, stop hiding in the shadows and give your old Aunt Lorna a hug.”

Lorna wasn’t a blood relation of his, but almost everyone on Lochguard called her Aunt Lorna.

He debated declining, but Faye met his gaze. Not wanting to appear cowardly in front of her, he walked toward the MacKenzie brood.

As he approached, Fraser and Fergus—Faye’s older twin brothers—glared at him with piercing blue eyes. If not for Aunt Lorna, Grant would’ve given them the double-finger salute.

His beast grunted. We can easily take them. Neither one is a soldier.

Not now.