The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

As they turned and walked out the front door, Arabella took comfort in her dragonman’s heat and scent. He might have distracted Arabella with food, but Finn was worried about Fraser. Her mate cared deeply for his family.

Her dragon spoke up. You both worry too much. Fraser will win the female back or he won’t. There’s nothing we can do but wait.

Waiting isn’t always easy, dragon.

No, but sometimes it gives the greatest reward.

Agreeing with her beast, Arabella looked up at Finn. He had most definitely been worth waiting for.

Chapter Fifteen

Holly watched the gentle rise and fall of her father’s chest. The steady rhythm, combined with the approving look in the doctor’s eyes, gave her hope that everything would be okay.

She should remain quiet and wait for the doctor to finish. After all, Holly knew well that too many questions could delay an examination; she’d experienced it herself as a nurse. Yet as the doctor jotted another note on her clipboard, Holly couldn’t help but blurt out, “Is he doing any better?”

The female doctor smiled at her. “He is, actually. We should be able to discharge him tomorrow, provided you can take him home and keep a close eye on him.”

She gestured with her thumb toward the door. “Will they come with me?”

The doctor lowered her clipboard. “I believe so. The DDA is afraid of you and your father becoming targets again. But from what I’ve heard, the DDA enforcers usually keep watch from outside your house to give you a little privacy.”

“But not much.”

The doctor smiled. “You’ve pretty much lived inside of this hospital for the past two weeks. Being home should be a nice change.”

The only problem was that Holly was torn about where to call home—Aberdeen or Lochguard.

Since Holly had also been watched closely because of the miscarriage during her stay at the hospital—the DDA was concerned abou

t suicide and/or depression—she quickly pushed aside thoughts of Lochguard or any of its inhabitants. She didn’t want to give the doctor anything to change her mind about discharging both Holly and her father.

Holly nodded. “Thank you, Dr. Brodie. I’m sure it will be.”

Dr. Brodie eyed her a second and then nodded toward the door. “How about you go get yourself something to eat? You’ve been using your special privilege to stay with your father and don’t go out often enough. If you don’t keep up your strength, then you won’t be able to help him.” Holly opened her mouth, but Dr. Brodie cut her off. “Either go eat something or I might reevaluate your father’s discharge for tomorrow.”

Since Holly had spent most of the last two weeks in the hospital, she was too tired to argue. As it was, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten. Maybe breakfast time?

Dr. Brodie raised an eyebrow and Holly sighed as she stood. “Fine, I will. But I’ll only be gone for ten or twenty minutes.”

“Take at least thirty. I’ll have a nurse stay with your father, just in case.”

Touching her father’s arm, Holly whispered, “I’ll be back soon, Dad.”

Then she drew on what little strength she had and trudged to the door. The short walk made her lightheaded, which told Holly her blood sugar was too low.

Exiting the room, Holly glanced at one of the two DDA guards posted at the door. His name was Andrew. He frowned. “Where are you going?”

“Just to the cafeteria. I’ll be back in half an hour.” The same guard opened his mouth, but Holly put up a hand to stop him. “No, I don’t need one of you to come with me. But if you want some coffee, I can bring some to you.”

Andrew flashed a smile. “That would be heaven, Ms. Anderson. The night shift is always bloody difficult.”

She looked to the other guard, but he shook his head. While Andrew was nice enough, the other guard rarely spoke two words together.

Not that Holly minded. Being social wasn’t high on her priority list at the moment.

Before either of them could change their minds about accompanying her, Holly went down the hallway and turned left to the elevator. Just after she pressed the down button, a familiar heat came up behind her.

Holly’s heart skipped a beat. There was no way Fraser MacKenzie would risk stepping foot inside a human hospital.