Chapter Six
Arabella tucked a section of hair behind her ear and tried to focus on her laptop screen. Finn was due to pick her up any minute and not even her work could distract her.
Dinner with the MacKenzies would be her first real test on Lochguard. It was also an opportunity to try to make friends, at least with Faye. Her plan was to spend the night talking to the other dragonwoman. That way, she could keep her distance from Finn.
She’d told him more than any other person outside her family about her run-in with the dragon hunters. Just because he hadn’t shown pity earlier didn’t mean it wouldn’t surface eventually, especially since she had yet to tell him the worst part.
And if he pitied her when she did, a piece of her might break.
Yet even a few hours later, she still remembered the warmth of his embrace as well as his scent of male and peat. Alone, she couldn’t deny how much she wanted to feel his arms around her again. Safety and peace were two things Arabella rarely felt in the presence of anyone, not even her brother or clan leader. Yet a flirtatious Scot who liked to push her buttons instilled the feeling without even trying.
Closing her laptop, Arabella gripped the device tightly in her fingers. She needed to keep her distance from Finlay Stewart. He was the wrong dragonman for her.
Her dragon piped up. I don’t understand. Why? You like him. He is nice. He will protect us.
He will break my heart if I let him. I’m not strong enough for that.
You don’t know that. Give him a chance. His family can tell you the truth about his character.
Arabella paused a second before asking what she really wanted to know. You’ve spoken more to me today than in the past ten years. Why?
Her inner beast simply stated, Because you are ready.
Before she could ask her dragon to explain, there was a knock on the door. She muttered, “Saved by the knock, dragon.”
When the knock increased in tempo, she tossed her laptop to the other side of the couch and stood up. “I know your dragon-shifter hearing will hear me, so stop with the bloody knocking. I’m coming.”
There was one last double knock before the noise ceased. The cheek signaled it must be Finn at the door.
Pausing at the mirror in the hallway, Arabella smoothed her hair. She never wore make-up, but the bright, emerald green blouse made her skin glow. It was the best she could do, not that it mattered. She was most definitely not trying to impress Finn.
With a deep breath, she opened the door and her heart skipped a beat. Finn, dressed in black trousers and a dark blue button-up shirt opened at the collar, held out a sprig of purple heather tied with gold ribbon. “For you, my lady.”
Gingerly taking the heather, a rush of happiness warmed her heart. No one had ever brought her flowers before.
Then she remembered her plan to distance herself from Finn. Steeling her face into a neutral expression, she met his eyes, only to find them full of warmth and tenderness.
For a split second, she wanted to rush into his arms and thank him. However, she restrained herself and murmured, “Thank you.”
“No worries. You deserve flowers every day, Arabella, and I’m determined to bring them to you.”
A part of her wanted to believe him, but her practical side won out. “All this talk of flowers is going to make us late. Either we leave now to have dinner with your family, or I’m staying home. Take your pick.”
“We’ll leave, but first let me do this.”
He plucked the heather from her hand, took something from his trouser pocket, and moved toward her blouse. Frowning, she took a step back. “What the bloody hell do you think you’re doing? I was serious earlier about kicking you in the balls if you try to cop a feel.”
He held up a safety pin. “Stop thinking the worst of me. I’m trying to pin the sprig of heather to your blouse.”
“Oh.”
One corner of his mouth ticked up. “May I have the honor of pinning it to your person?”
She battled a smile and lost. “Hurry up and make sure not to linger.”
Grinning, Finn moved to the top opening of her blouse. The back of his fingers brushed her skin as he fastened the heather to her shirt. Each movement of his skin against hers sent a rush of warmth both to her face and between her legs. As Finn moved his head closer to see what he was doing, his scent surrounded her, which only made her body hotter.
With a pat, Finn met her eyes with a grin. “There you go. You can thank me later for not stabbing you with the pin.”
His words broke the spell of his touch. “If you’re quite done, we should leave.”
Reaching behind her, his chest brushed her bicep. Hard and masculine, Arabella waited for the panic to set in, much like it had done every time a strange male had invaded her space to this degree.
But as he retreated, one of her coats in his hand, she felt nothing but peace. Finn arranged the coat over her shoulders. “The late September air is cool. You’ll need this.”
Unsure of what else to do, she replied, “Thank you.”
“Right, let’s go. I’d rather not upset my Aunt Lorna if I can help it.”
As Finn guided her out the door and shut it behind them, she teased, “Big, bad Finlay Stewart is afraid of a middle-aged dragonwoman? That is something I’d like to see.”
He frowned down at her as they walked. “You clearly haven’t met Aunt Lorna.”
“Well then, let’s go. I want to see this female who can make you quiver in your boots.”
“I’m not quivering in any bloody boots. Surely, you have an alpha dragonwoman in your family somewhere.”
Arabella’s smile faded. “No, I don’t. I just have my brother.”
~~~
Finn wanted to smack his own head. He’d known that, of course, about Arabella’s lack of family. He needed to be more careful and think before he spoke. Too bad Arabella had a way of making him forget he even had a brain at times.
Picking up his pace, he was determined to keep the evening light. After his lass’s revelations earlier, she deserved that much. “Don’t let my auntie hear you say that, or she’ll unofficially adopt you.” He glanced at Arabella. “Unless, that’s what you want, of course. Then I’ll mention it myself to Aunt Lorna and she’ll nose into your life quicker than you can say, ‘stop’.”
Arabella tugged her coat closer around her body. “Before you make plans of foisting me on some unsuspecting aunt, how about I meet her first?”
He didn’t like the determined glint in her eyes. “Please tell me you’re not going to conspire with my kin.”
She put on a mock Scottish accent. “Oh, aye. I verra much plan to do that.”
Laughing, he risked moving his hand from her back to her hip. If Arabella noticed, she didn’t protest. “I dinnae think ye’ll pass for a Scots, lass.”
When she smiled at his exaggerated accent, his dragon hummed. Kiss her soon. I want her.
Stop it, dragon. She deserves some fun.
His beast huffed. Soon?
If I can work my magic, then aye. Give me time.
While smiling, Arabella remained silent, but he was fine with that. As his eyes latched onto the heather on her chest, a sense of possessiveness came over him. His male cousins would see the heather and recognize his claim. He only hoped his brash cousins wouldn’t tell her the true meaning of the flowers pinned to her blouse.
Because if Arabella MacLeod knew he’d made a claim on her, she might push him away. But try as he might, he couldn’t allow his male cousins to win her over. She was his.
They soon reached the MacKenzie household and he stopped a few feet from the door. Looking down at Arabella, he whispered, “I’m going to warn you, lass. It will be a bit crazy inside. Are you ready?”
Arabella took a deep breath and exhaled. “I suppose so.”
Squeezing her hip, he murmured, “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t bring you here unless I thought you were ready.”
She stepped away from him and
Finn barely resisted frowning at the loss of warmth. Fire flashed in her eyes. “Since when are you making decisions for me? I’m twenty-eight years old, Finlay Stewart. I can make my own.”
He forced his voice to remain serious. “Aye, is that so? And what decision will you make tonight, Arabella? Are you going to face the MacKenzies or hide away in your cottage?”
“I’m done with hiding.”
She turned away from him and moved toward the door. She’d acted just as he’d wanted.
Before she could figure that out, he followed her. “Knock on the door, then. It’s cold and I want some of my aunt’s special reserve whiskey to warm my toes.”
Without a word, Arabella knocked on the door four times and then whispered, “See? That’s how a normal person knocks.”
Just as he laughed, the door opened. Faye MacKenzie looked between them and grinned. “Right, you two. Come in before mum has a stroke. To her, three minutes late is the equivalent of a decade.”
His aunt shouted, “I can hear you, Faye Louise.”
Shaking her head, Faye stepped aside and looked to Arabella. “Welcome to the home of the MacKenzies. I hope you survive the madness.”
~~~
Arabella blinked and tried not to let her confusion show as Finn guided her inside the cottage. Despite Finn and Faye’s warnings, it couldn’t be that bad. Could it?
Feet pounded down the stairs next to the entryway. Looking up, she did a double take. Two tall, muscled dragonmen with dark red, wavy hair near her own age stood on the steps with identical grins.
She blinked at the attractive set of twins. Was Finn’s entire family comprised of models?
Finn growled at her side. “You can close your mouth now, Arabella.”
One of the identical twins winked at her. “Forgive our cousin, lass. He’s never accepted that we inherited the good-looking genes.”
The other twin nodded. “We think he only became clan leader to draw the female eyes away from us.”
Arabella studied the two dragonmen and noticed one had a scar near his left eye. “Since Finn is being rude, care to tell me your names? I’m Arabella MacLeod.”
The male with the scar chuckled. “I like you, Arabella MacLeod.” He straightened his shoulders. “I’m Fraser, the younger and more dashing of the MacKenzie twins.” He pointed to his scar. “And more daring.”
The other one rolled his eyes. “Yes, a scar is daring. Too bad you got it when you tripped over a rock.” The male’s blue eyes met hers. “Forgive my brother. I’m Fergus, the cleverer half of the MacKenzie twins.”
Fraser punched his brother. “Don’t start that up again.”
“You know it’s true.” Fergus hit back.
Faye muttered from the side, “The idiots.”
Arabella blinked. She had clearly walked into a mad house.
As the brothers argued, Finn looked to her and whispered, “Let me take your coat, Arabella, before my aunt gets a hold of you.”
Rather than ask why that mattered, she allowed Finn to take her coat. As soon as he turned to hang it up on a hook, one of the twins whistled. “I never thought I’d see the day, cousin.”
Arabella focused back on the twins. Curiosity overcame her nervousness. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Mischief danced in Fergus’s eyes. “And she has a backbone, too. Well done, Finn.”
Finn touched her back and she frowned at him. “What are they talking about?”
Finn shook his head. “Later, lass. It’s best not to keep my aunt waiting.”
Arabella pointed a finger. “I will force it out of you, Finn. No matter how charming you try to be, I won’t forget.”
As the twins laughed behind her, Finn maneuvered her down the small hallway until they entered a cozy, warm kitchen. A middle-aged dragonwoman with blonde hair turned toward them with a frown. Her amber gaze latched onto Finn. “I don’t care if you’re clan leader or not, Finlay Stewart. Inside the walls of my house, you’re just my nephew and I won’t tolerate tardiness.” Finn merely bobbed his head and the female looked at Arabella. Her expression softened. “And you must be Arabella MacLeod. My nephew has told me all about you. I’m Lorna MacKenzie, but please call me Aunt Lorna.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Lorna frowned, but then her gaze moved to the heather pinned to her blouse before looking to Finn. “Aye, so it’s like that, is it?”
Finn smiled widely. “Auntie, Arabella’s in a bit of a shock after meeting the twins. How about some of your fine whiskey to calm her down?”
Lorna waggled a finger at Finn. “I know what you’re doing, but for the sake of Arabella, I’ll ignore it for now.” She turned toward Arabella and motioned with her arm. “Come, child. You can assist me while Finn helps the boys with the wood chopping. My boys are behind and winter will be here before you know it.”
Without thinking, Arabella reached out and took Finn’s hand in hers. He leaned down and whispered, “If it’s me you want, lass, then say the word and I’ll suffer my aunt’s ire to whisk you away and steal a few kisses.”
Releasing his hand, she shot him an exasperated look. “Again with the lines.”
“Aye, and I’ll never stop.”
Amusement was replaced with heat and she forced her gaze away. “I think I’d like that, um, Aunt Lorna.”
Lorna motioned again. “Then come, Arabella. I won’t bite. I promise.”
After one last glance to Finn, Arabella took a deep breath and walked around the counter to stand in front of Lorna. The dragonwoman was an inch taller than Arabella, but softer around the middle due to age. The blonde hair and amber eyes signaled she was probably Finn’s blood relative.
Lorna assessed her and Arabella resisted fidgeting. She had little experience dealing with older, mother-like figures. Anytime she’d tried over the last year, memories of her mother’s last moments had flashed into her mind.
Yet as eyes similar to Finn’s stared down at her with warmth, some of Arabella’s nervousness dissipated.
Lorna smiled. “You’ll do, Arabella, you’ll do.”
Before she could ask what that meant, the twins each took Finn by a shoulder. “Come, cousin. You heard Mum. While you’re here in the house, you’re family and not clan leader. You’re going to do your share of the work.”
Finn met Arabella’s eyes, a question in them. The coward’s way would be to ask him to stay, but that went against her whole reason for coming to Lochguard. Arabella would never truly be free if she couldn’t interact with strangers on her own.
Forcing herself to look to Fraser, she smiled. “Make him work extra hard.”
Fraser winked. “Aye, we’ll do that.”
As the males left, Faye entered the kitchen and sat on one of the stools next to the counter. The young dragonwoman supported her head on her hands. “So, Arabella, what do you think of Finn?”
Arabella nearly choked. “Um, what?”
Lorna set a cup of tea in front of her and Arabella took it. Lorna scowled at her daughter. “Leave the poor dear alone. It’s her first day here.”
Faye shrugged. “She’s known him longer than that. Besides, it’s part of my job to protect the clan leader. I’m just making sure he won’t be hurt. After all, he has more than enough on his plate.”
Arabella put down her tea. “If you invited me here to grill me, then I’m going to leave. I only came because Finn asked me to.”
Lorna placed a hand on her arm. The touch didn’t bother her. In fact, the older dragonwoman gently rubbing up and down her arm reminded Arabella of her own mother doing the same when Arabella had been a child. Only when Lorna spoke, did Arabella snap back to the present. “Ignore my offspring and their antics. Finn came to live with us when he was fifteen and he’s like a brother to Faye and the twins. Even though my children are younger than Finn, they’re still protective, to say the least.”
Faye snorted. “As if you’re any less protective, Mum.”
“Aye, I’m protective. B
ut unlike you lot, I have manners. Now hush,” Lorna replied.
Arabella could keep silent, but Lorna’s words niggled at her curiosity. “Why did Finn come to live with you?”
Lorna stared at her a second before finally replying, “You might want to ask him yourself. It’s not my story to tell.”
Lorna’s answer only stoked her curiosity further. Finn seemed happy-go-lucky, yet coming to live with the MacKenzies suggested something had happened to his parents.
He might understand Arabella’s past more than she thought.
Faye pushing her stool back broke the silence. “The boys will be hungry, so let’s set the table.”
Lorna shook her head. “You mean you’re hungry and want supper. Don’t try to use your brothers as an excuse.”
Faye looked sheepish and Arabella smiled, grateful the conversation had steered away from her.
When Lorna handed her a stack of plates and ordered her to lay them out, Arabella went to work. The menial task gave her time to think on all she’d learned. Maybe Finn truly did understand a thing or two about a tragic past. Once they were alone, she would find out what exactly had happened when he was fifteen.
Chapter Seven
Finn swung the axe and split the last log of the evening. The exercise had both kept his nosy cousins quiet and given him a way to cool his possessiveness.
At the rate he was going, he would be hauling Arabella next to him any chance he had.
His dragon, however, wasn’t quieted by the sounds of chopping wood. You may deny how much you want to check on Arabella, but I am a dragon and am honest. I want to see her.
Soon. She’ll be fine.
Not if they tell her the truth about the heather.
Stacking his split wood on the pile next to his aunt’s house, his cousins each placed a hand on one of his shoulders. Finn merely raised an eyebrow. “Even if you two gang up on me, I’ll still win.”
Fraser smiled, his scar crinkling near his eye. “Oh, we learned that lesson last time. But we want to make sure you don’t run inside to check on your lass before we had a chat.”
Healed by the Dragon: Boxed Set (Parts #1-4) Page 5
