The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

Before Fraser could do anything, Fergus’s voice drifted into the air. “That was for keeping a bloody secret from me.”

Fraser’s heart skipped a beat. His twin brother was home.

But it was best not to sound too eager just yet. Fraser needed to figure out how upset Fergus was with him first.

Rubbing his jaw, Fraser sat up. “Aye, I reckon I deserved that. Should I brace myself for more?”

Fergus shook his right hand. “I’m tempted, but my hand bloody hurts.”

Fraser smiled. “You always said my head was made of stone.”

“And it seems I was right.” Fergus took a step toward him. “You should’ve told me Holly was your true mate, brother. I would’ve stepped aside.”

Fraser stood. “Maybe I should have, but she was possibly your last chance at happiness. And I wanted to give you a chance to snare it.”

Fergus moved to stand directly in front of Fraser. “But that was my decision to make, Fraser. Not yours.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, Fergus. When we drink, you often need me to make your decisions for you. I’ve never seen such a lightweight before.”

Fergus frowned. “I am not a lightweight. Half the time you spike my lager with vodka or some other strong liquor and dare me to drink it.”

“Hey, you’re the one who accepts the challenge.”

“Only because you’ll keep daring me until I do.”

As Fraser and Fergus stared at one another, they both grinned.

Fraser may not voice it aloud, but he’d missed his twin brother dearly.

Fergus lightly punched him in the arm. “At any rate, for a bloke who likes to talk as much as you do, you seem to keep quiet when it actually matters. You’re an idiot. Don’t do it again.”

A sense of relief washed over him. Fraser knew he and his twin were on good terms again. “I’ll work on it, aye? The bigger question is why are you stalking about in the dark?”

“Well, I talked with Finn earlier. He and Arabella knew you’d gone to see Holly. Pulling the car into its parking spot quietly in the wee hours of the morning is your usual trick, so I waited. I wanted to see you before anything else happened. I don’t like discord between us.”

Fraser blinked. “Wait, Finn and Ara knew I’d gone to Inverness?”

Fergus raised an eyebrow. “Do you know Finn at all?”

“The bastard and his tricks. I’m definitely going to have a talk with him later. He tends to see us as children still, but that needs to change. We’re twenty-eight years old, for fuck’s sake.” Fraser smiled at his twin. “But putting that aside, I’m glad you’re home, Fergus. I could dance around the issues and pretend it’s nothing, but I’ve missed you, brother.”

“Aye, well, just don’t do anything daft to drive me away again.”

Fraser winked. “I’ll try my best, although I can’t make any promises.” While he was relieved his twin didn’t hate him, there was something else Fraser still needed to address, so he added, “But I hope you can welcome Holly and treat her as part of the family when she comes back.”

Fergus raised an eyebrow. “So she is coming back, then? From what I heard, she hasn’t contacted you in two weeks. That doesn’t sound like a lass who is pining for you.”

“She’s gone through a lot recently. But let’s just say I’ve convinced her to give me another chance.”

“I’m sure Mum will be pleased. She’s been secretly wishing for a grandchild for some time.”

A flash of sadness coursed through Fraser’s body. “She may wait a while yet. Finn must not have told you, but Holly lost the bairn.”

Fergus gripped Fraser’s shoulder and squeezed. “I’m truly sorry, Fraser.” He gave Fraser a little shake. “However, judging by your boasting with the lasses in the past, I’m sure there’ll be another one along before much longer.”

Fraser and his dragon growled in unison. “Don’t bring up other lasses. They don’t matter. I only want Holly.”

Fergus whistled. “You’ve fallen hard, brother. Just make sure not to fuck up again.”