The Dragon's Heart (Lochguard Highland Dragons 3)

Meg and Lorna were the same age and had been friends-slash-rivals their entire lives. Each pushed the other to be a bit better, but sometimes, Lorna could do with a break.

The present was one of those times. She didn’t need Meg badgering Ross or trying to win him over. If Meg did try, then Lorna would have to give the female a tongue-lashing. Now that Lorna had given in to Ross’s kisses, she wanted to keep him.

Possessiveness didn’t fade with age when it came to dragon-shifters.

Lorna’s dragon huffed. It’s not our fault Ross picked us over Meg. Maybe if you introduce Meg to Stu, she’ll focus her attentions elsewhere. Then we all win.

There’s an idea. Clever beast.

I do have my uses from time to time.

To keep from laughing, Lorna cleared her throat. Meeting Meg’s eyes, Lorna asked, “Can we help you with something, Meg?”

Meg looked from Lorna to Ross and back again, her gaze lingering an extra second on their clasped hands. “Aye, you can start by telling me how long this has been going on.”

“If you were as good a gossip as you claim to be, then you should know the answer to that,” Lorna replied. Damn, why was she goading the female?

Meg shook her head. “There’s no need to be rude, Lorna. I may have fancied Ross in the beginning, but ol’ Archie has been courting me these past few weeks. If you’d ever come over to visit, you would know that by now.”

Lorna blinked. Archie MacAllister was notorious for his long-time feud with his neighbor Cal, which often sent one or both of them to the surgery. “I sure hope you’re avoiding his place. It’s not exactly safe there, aye?”

Meg waved a hand. “Cal would never hurt me. I’ve been working my charms on him as well.”

“Wait a second. You have two males after you?” Lorna asked.

Meg frowned. “You don’t have to sound so surprised. Females are rarer, after all, and even more so at our age. Once I gave one male a chance, I couldn’t resist the other.”

“That isn’t going to end well, Meg,” Lorna pointed out. “Dragon males don’t share. Most especially that pair. I’ve lost count of the number of sheep they’ve stolen from each other, let alone how many boulders they’ve dropped onto each other’s property. I’m surprised their cottages are still standing.”

Meg sniffed. “Everything will turn out fine. I know what I’m doing.” She leaned forward. “Come over soon and we can compare notes.”

From the corner of Lorna’s eye, she saw Ross’s jaw drop. She murmured, “What’s the matter, Ross? You afraid the dragon males will outdo you?”

“Of course not,” he barked. “But I’d rather not air my private life to all the world.”

Lorna grinned. “It’s a bit late for that.”

Before Ross could answer, Faye—Lorna’s only daughter—asked from behind, “Mum? When did you officially get together with Ross?”

Everyone turned to face the tall dragonwoman with wild, curly hair and the same whiskey eyes as Lorna.

Ross spoke up before Lorna could. “I’m surprised you’re asking, Faye, my dear. You’re the one always teasing about us getting together.”

Faye’s gaze moved to Lorna. “Does Fraser know?”

“Not yet,” Lorna answered. “Although I’m bringing it up at dinner.”

Faye’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Can I be the one to tell him? Please, Mum?”

“I’m not sure that’s the best idea, hen. Fraser will require a delicacy you don’t possess,” Lorna stated.

“Nonsense. It’s every younger sister’s duty to irritate her older brother. I’m not sure I’ll be able to top this anytime soon. I don’t think Holly will name their bairn Faye after me, so I really need this,” Faye answered.

Ross chuckled at her side. “It might be best, Lorna. That way Fraser can take out his frustrations on Faye. Once she wears him down with a challenge or two, then I can talk with the lad.”

Lorna raised an eyebrow. “By talk, you mean argue.”

He shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. With Fergus and Holly there, they might be able to talk some sense into him. They each have a way of calming the lad down.”