The Dragon Guardian (Lochguard Highland Dragons 2)

Holly touched her arm and Gina met the woman’s eyes; the midwife’s gaze was calm and collected. “Are you okay?”

Taking a deep inhalation, Gina nodded. “I’m fine. A little tired and anxious about my future, but fine. Give me five minutes to pack and we can leave. Oh, and we need to find Coal.”

Holly blinked. “Who’s Coal?”

“My black cat.”

Fraser and Holly traded knowing glances and smiled. She was about to ask what was going on when Coal strode into the room as if he owned it. As her cat rubbed against her legs, she tried to figure out how he was inside.

Squatting down carefully so she wouldn’t lose her balance and fall over, Gina scooped Coal up and held him close. As she breathed in the scent of cat and outdoors, another faint scent greeted her nose.

Fergus. He’d brought in her cat.

Stroking her pet, Gina’s uneasiness faded. Coal hated all of the men in the area and had bitten more than a few. Yet Coal had trusted Fergus enough to allow the dragonman to pick him up. Maybe there was more to Fergus than she’d thought. After all, before Holly and Fraser had arrived, he’d been rubbing her belly and talking about her son.

The only question was whether she wanted to risk her heart by trying to get to know the real Fergus MacKenzie or not.

Holly cleared her throat. “I can fetch the cat carrier whilst you pack.”

Pushing aside thoughts of a certain dragonman, Gina smiled. “Oh, no need. Coal likes riding in the car.”

“Pardon?” Holly asked.

Gina hugged her pet close. “He may look like a cat, but he acts more like a dog. You’ll see.” She kissed the top of Coal’s head and placed him on the bed. “Still, let me toss a few things together and we can leave. But Fraser, can you go to the closet in the living room and find the wooden cradle there? It was my grandmother’s and I want to bring it with me.”

Fraser nodded and left the room.

Once they were alone, Holly spoke up. “If you ever need to talk with me about dragon-shifter males, I’m here, Gina.”

Gina glanced over at Holly. The midwife was more perceptive than she’d given Holly credit for. “The only thing that matters right now is my upcoming meeting with your clan leader. He’s the one who will decide my future.”

Holly opened her mouth but then promptly closed it. As the woman retrieved clothes from one of the drawers, Gina wondered why Holly held back. It conflicted with everything Gina had seen thus far.

Before she could think of how to poke without being obvious about it, Fraser returned with her grandmother’s cradle in one hand and a cat carrier in the other. Coal growled at the sight of the carrier and Gina stroked his back. “He really doesn’t like the carrier. But if you can get him in there, then we’ll take him that way.”

Holly’s voice was full of laughter. “Aye, Fraser. It’s good practice. After all, you promised me ten cats.”

Fraser winked at his mate. “No worries, honey. It should be easy.”

Gina blinked. “Ten cats? Am I missing something?”

Fraser ignored her. After setting down the cradle, he made clicking sounds at Coal. “Here, kitty. You know you want to help me out. Us males need to stick together.”

As the dragonman inched toward her cat and stuck out his fingers, Coal sniffed a second before butting his head against Fraser’s hand. The sight of the tall, muscled dragonman scratching her cat’s ears made her smile. Coal was very picky about who he let pet him, not that a person could tell from his recent dealings. Could it be that not all dragon-shifters had hidden agendas?

Fraser set the cat carrier on the bed, opened the door, and retrieved something from inside the carrier. Once he held it up, Gina saw it was a piece of cheese.

Waving the piece, Fraser whispered, “Here, kitty, kitty.”

Scrunching his nose and sniffing the air, Coal moved toward Fraser. Gina watched in awe as Fraser finally coaxed her cat into the carrier and clicked it shut. Fraser looked up with a grin. “He doesn't seem bothered to me.”

Holly chuckled and rubbed Fraser’s arm. “Good. Then I don’t see why we can’t adopt a cat or two once we’re back.” Fraser opened his mouth to reply, but Holly beat him to it. “Unless you’re doubting your cat whisperer abilities?”

Fraser stood up taller. “Of course not. But let’s take care of Gina first.” Fraser met Gina’s eyes. “We’ll help prepare you for my cousin. A few tricks might help your case with him.”

Gina frowned. “Why are you so interested in helping me? You barely know me.”

Fraser shook his head. “The American bastards must’ve done a number on you. Just know that us Scots are different. We like to help someone in need.”