The Dragon's Dilemma (Lochguard Highland Dragons 1)

Fergus raised his brows. “She’s about to become my sister-in-law and if you think I’m going to never hug the lass or poke her side, then you clearly don’t know me, let alone our family, very well.”

Fraser’s grip tightened around Holly’s waist. “Then don’t touch her skin. I’m going to implement a gloves and jumper rule. If you wear both of them and don’t touch your cheek to hers, then I’ll allow you to hug Holly.”

Holly was about to protest about Fraser allowing anything, but Fergus was in front of them in the blink of an eye. Before she could utter a word, Fergus growled out, “Are you trying to order me around?”

Fraser leaned closer to his twin. “Aye, I am.”

Something sparked in Fergus’s eyes. He then grinned slowly and reached out a finger to poke Holly’s cheek. Fraser roared as he released his grip on Holly and tackled his brother to the ground.

Holly sighed as the two brothers wrestled in the grass. She needed to figure out how the hell she could tear the two of them apart. Given that both of them were at least 200 pounds of muscle each, it was going to be quite the feat.

So distracted by Fraser and Fergus, Holly didn’t noticed Lorna MacKenzie show up next to her. Holly jumped when the dragonwoman muttered, “The idiots.”

Holly glanced over and saw that Lorna was carrying a wooden spoon. “They’re fighting because of me.”

Lorna shook her head. “Bollocks. They’ve found something to wrestle about nearly every day of their lives. It’s when they’re not picking on each other that I start to worry.”

Holly blinked. “This is normal?”

Lorna grinned. “Aye, it is. Does it want to send you running for the hills?”

Holly straightened her shoulders. “Of course not.”

Lorna reached out her free hand and lightly patted her cheek. “You’ll do, Holly.” Lorna looked back at the men. “Leave this to me.”

In the next instant, Lorna smacked the closest male bum with her wooden spoon. One of the twins yelped. Only when he shouted, did Holly recognize Fraser’s voice. “Mum, stop it. We’re not children any more.”

Lorna waved her spoon. “You could’ve fooled me.” She looked to Fergus. “You, in particular, I’m disappointed about, Fergus Roger. You know what’s waiting inside the cottage.”

Holly dared to ask, “What’s waiting inside the cottage?”

Lorna looked at her with mischief in her eyes. “You’ll just have to come inside and see, child.”

Holly didn’t detect any worry or nervousness in Lorna’s voice or eyes. She only hoped that meant it was a good surprise; Holly had had far too many of the other kind of late.

The twins stood up and brushed the dirt and grass from their clothes. Fergus was the first to speak up. “Aye, well, shall we go inside, then? I think Fraser learned his lesson.”

Fraser shoved Fergus. “More like you learned yours.”

Holly sighed again. She started to see Lorna MacKenzie in a whole new light; the dragonwoman was a saint for raising the three MacKenzie siblings.

Just as they started walking toward the cottage, the front door banged open. It was Faye MacKenzie.

Faye scowled and clapped her hands. “Are you two clowns quite finished? I’m starving. The sooner you get your arses in here, the sooner I can eat.”

Fraser scowled. “Thanks for the greeting, sister.”

Faye shrugged. “Do I ever greet you when I’m hungry? It’s not like I’m going to start now.” Faye turned. “Now, come on before I send Finn out here. He’ll get you inside asap, especially as Arabella isn’t feeling well.”

Holly’s curiosity piqued. “What’s wrong with her? Maybe I can help?”

Lorna jumped in. “I doubt you can, lass. Arabella is having triplets and she’s still in a bit of a shock.”

Fraser frowned. “When the bloody hell did they find that out?”

Lorna answered, “Yesterday evening. So I’d recommend we all head inside as soon as possible. Finn and Ara came to support you and Holly, but Arabella isn’t feeling all that social.”

Holly moved to Fraser’s side. After taking his hand, she tugged. “Come. I want to see if there’s anything I can do to help her. Expectant mothers who find out they’re having multiple births need to be watched closely. As much as I hate to say it, they often go into bouts of depression.”