Any time they walked past another dragonman, Fergus hugged her a little tighter. On some level, she was offended as she didn’t belong to any man. Yet the action showed her that Fergus wasn’t as controlled as he liked everyone to believe. She wondered what would happen if she broke that control? Would an unrestrained Fergus be as careful and considerate around her? Or, would his dragon have the upper hand and pursue her?
Maybe if she survived the evening, she could poke and prod at Fergus’s self-control a little and find out.
Before she could think on why she wanted to do that, a large, two-story cottage came into view and the front door opened to reveal a middle-aged woman with blonde hair streaked with gray.
Fergus murmured, “That’s my mum,” right before the older dragonwoman spoke up. “About time, Fergus. I wanted the lass to have a hot scone. By now, they’re only mildly warm.”
Fergus answered, “Gina is extremely pregnant, Mum. Unless you wanted me to half-drag her home, we couldn’t have come any sooner.”
Gina felt the urge to be a little evil. “I was walking slowly for your benefit, Fergus. You’re the one carrying the cat carrier.”
Fergus sent her a glare and she grinned. Her dragonman murmured, “My memory is long and I’ll get you back somehow.”
She opened her mouth to reply, but Fergus’s mom walked up to them and inserted herself between them. Fergus released his hold just as his mom said, “I don’t care about excuses. Take the beastie upstairs to your room, Fergus. Hopefully it won’t bother Faye there until Fraser and Holly can take the cat with them. There’s even a litter box and food waiting for the poor beastie.”
Fergus gave her one last glance and Gina read the question in his eyes. She nodded at her dragonman. “I’ll be fine. Go. Coal probably wants a warm bed to nap on after the events of today.”
He looked about ready to say something else, but then Fergus was gone. The woman next to her spoke up. “He’s a fine lad, he is. Although a wee bit protective. I suspect that’s because he’s the oldest.” Gina tried to think of what to say, but Fergus’s mom continued, “I’m Lorna, by the way, but everyone calls me Aunt Lorna. You should do the same. Finn told me a bit about you, but if you prefer to go by another name than Gina, just tell me now, child.”
Gina studied Lorna’s face. While her amber eyes were different from Fergus’s, the shape of the nose and brow were familiar. And much like Fergus, Lorna had kindness in her gaze. “Gina’s fine.”
“Right, then let’s get you inside, Gina. You look about ready to pop as it is. Even if you’re fortunate enough to not be carrying twins, we should get you off your feet as soon as possible. Your lower back must be protesting by now, aye?”
“A little.”
Lorna snorted. “There’s no reason to hold back and be polite, child. Act like that and my kin will eat you alive.”
Gina wasn’t sure if that was a compliment about Lorna’s brood or a warning.
The dragonwoman guided them inside, her touch warm and comforting. It reminded Gina of her mother before ‘the accident,’ as her mom called it. After telling her parents about her p
regnancy, they couldn’t send Gina away fast enough. She missed the more loving version of her parents.
Damn it. She needed to stop thinking of the sad aspects of her life or she’d enter Lorna’s house bawling like a toddler.
As anxious as she was to meet her son, Gina couldn’t wait to be free of the extra hormones and become emotionally stable again.
Holly dashed out of a side room. “Are you still doing okay, Gina? I wanted to walk you home, but Finn ordered me away. I nearly challenged him over it, too.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I took care of myself for months before you came. If I really need help, then I’ll ask,” Gina answered.
Lorna carried on as if Gina hadn’t answered. “Holly, is Ara here yet?”
Holly motioned toward a different room. “She’s in the dining room with Ross, Fraser, and Faye. Something came up for Finn, and Ara wanted some company.”
Lorna nodded. “Good. It’s about time she started admitting it.”
Frowning, Gina looked between the two women. “I’m lost.”
Lorna patted her shoulder. “I’ll explain it later, child. Let’s get you sitting and fed first.” Gina opened her mouth, but Lorna beat her to it. “No, you don’t get a say in this.”
Considering she’d just met Lorna MacKenzie, Gina should hold back. Whether because she was hungry or just tired of people ordering her around, she didn’t know, but Gina dug in her heels. “With all due respect, Aunt Lorna, I’m not a child. I’ve talked with people more today than I have in the last two months combined. I’m tired, hungry, and a little cold. I’m not about to enter a room and be confused about even more people. Either tell me what I need to know before entering, or I’ll wait in the hall for Fergus and we can stay somewhere else.”
Lorna and Holly shared a glance. Gina may have just lost the good word she needed to stay on Lochguard.
Then someone clapped slowly behind her. Looking over her shoulder, it was Fergus. And he was grinning. “And that, Gina MacDonald, is how you should handle every Scottish dragon-shifter you meet. You’ll have more than me on your side before long if you do.”
Gina frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”