by Mary Abshire
The Dragon I Fell In Love With
Fall In Love
Mary Abshire
The Dragon I Fell In Love With
©Copyright 2018 Mary Abshire
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The Dragon I Fell In Love With
Love is a dream. And dreams can come true.
Lynn is on a break from her stressful job, and the chaos in Chicago, to attend her best friend’s wedding. Before arriving, she travels through a Canadian wildlife reserve where her grandparents once lived. Little did she know the reserve is home to creatures other than the typical bear and moose.
* * *
Marcel lives a peaceful life on the reserve. Having experienced enough bad relationships, he’s given up hope falling in love. But after he saves the life of a young woman and discovers a deep desire he can’t ignore, he starts to believe he might have found Mrs. Right. Even if she’s a normal human, he longs to protect her and win her love.
* * *
Thrown into a world completely different from what she’s used to, Lynn struggles to accept the truth about Marcel and the reserve. But he’s unlike any man she’s ever met. She starts to wonder if Marcel is the one who can make her truly happy. Can she cast away her fears and doubts for a chance at love and happiness?
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
About the Author
Also by Mary Abshire
Chapter One
“Please be careful driving through that wildlife reserve, Lynn,” Connie said through Lynn’s cell, which was laying in the passenger seat next to her purse.
“I’ll be fine. I’m not driving through the African Desert.”
Lynn gripped the steering wheel of her fifteen-year-old Toyota as she stared through the front window. The car’s headlights lit up the dark road. The wiper blades swung quickly back and forth, clearing the rain. Although her vision was hindered, she drove above the speed limit along the curvy path. It was late enough at night that she doubted anyone else would be driving through the large reserve.
“Still, there could be wild lions or cougars out there,” Connie said.
Lynn chuckled. “Lions? Really? It’s mostly a wooded area, and this is Canada. Remember?” She braked lightly as she prepared to steer around another curve.
“You don’t know what kind of wildlife is out there,” Connie said.
“The biggest animal out here is probably a bear or a moose.”
“You said it yourself, you haven’t been in that area since you were five. That was twenty years ago. The wildlife reserve could’ve brought in other vicious animals to keep them from becoming extinct.”
Although Lynn hadn’t been through the reserve since she was a young child, she doubted much had changed. She suspected people still lived in the various parts of the five thousand miles of wooded land that included a couple of large lakes. The peaceful area was a perfect place to raise a family, except for having to drive a long way to get supplies. Stations throughout the reserve housed and sold essentials, as well as held medical necessities. Her grandparents had enjoyed the quiet life in a part of the forest for over half a century. If her grandparents hadn’t sold their property, Lynn suspected it would’ve eventually passed down to her. She wouldn’t mind living in such a secluded place, even if she had to handle encounters with the local wildlife. At least she wouldn’t have to deal with crime, traffic, and rude people like she did in Chicago.
“People live here. They know what kind of wildlife is here and how to handle the animals,” Lynn said with a light chuckle. “If anything has changed in the last twenty years, I bet it’s more populated with people trying to avoid the crazies in cities.”
“Maybe, but promise you’ll be careful. I need you to be here for my wedding.”
“I’ll be there. I took eight days off from work so I could spend some time driving through here, and then I’m heading to see you. I just need a break before I show up for your wedding.”
She’d worked nonstop at her marketing job since she’d graduated from college. She’d even put in extra hours every month. While working so much had exhausted her, she’d paid off her student loan debt. Nine months ago when Connie had told her she was getting married, Lynn decided it was the perfect opportunity to cash in her vacation days and get away. She’d always wanted to spend time in the forest again, explore nature’s beauty, and visit the property her grandparents had once owned. She’d packed up her car, and then had started early driving north, heading to Reserve Faunique La Tremblant.
“Did you bring any kind of weapon with you in case you run into trouble?” Connie asked.
Lynn steered the car on another curve. “I have a Swiss Army knife and some mace. I always carry them with me.”
“That’s not much if you run into a grizzly.”
“I’m willing to bet the chances of meeting a grizzly are slim to none. If I run into any large animal, it’ll likely be a moose and I highly doubt it will attack.”
“Are you planning to spend the nights in your car the entire time you’re there?”
“I’d thought about it a few times. I looked on Google a few months ago and found a few cabins to rent, but they’re expensive. I don’t know what I’ll do just yet. I really don’t think the wildlife in the area will cause any problems.”
Connie sighed heavily. “Just be careful out there.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
Connie’s concerned warmed Lynn’s heart. They’d been friends since their freshman year in college. When Connie had moved away a little over a year ago to take a job in Montreal, Lynn had cried. Sure, she had other friends, but Connie had been her closest one. After Lynn’s parents died, Connie had comforted her the mo
st. During their time apart, they’d chatted weekly and sent messages daily. Lynn wondered how much would change now that Connie was tying the knot.
“I want a text from you by this time tomorrow,” Connie said in a demanding tone.
“Okay, mom. I’ll send you a text before eleven.”
“I can’t wait to see you. It seems like it’s been forever.” She sounded excited.
“Time flies when all we do is work.”
“You know, if Daniel and I have kids, you’re going to have to come out at least twice a year to visit. Once for the kids, and once just for us. I already told him you’re going to be the godmother.”
Lynn grinned. “I’ll work something out. You can count on it.”
Lynn dreamed of meeting the right man and settling down to have kids. First, she’d have to meet Mr. Right. Second, she needed to move out of the city. She didn’t want to raise children in a dangerous environment, and Chicago was not a safe place at all. Since both her ‘to do’ items took time, she doubted her dream would come to reality anytime soon. If Connie popped out a kid or two before her, she’d find a way to spend more time with her best friend and be a great godmother.
“You know, you could always move here and find a new job,” Connie said.
The rain smacked harder on the windshield, limiting Lynn’s vision even more.
“It’s an idea. Look, I need to go. It’s pouring cats and dogs. I may need to pull over for a bit.” As Lynn reduced her speed, she reached for the phone on the passenger seat.
“Text me tomorrow. Love you,” Connie said quickly.
“Love you loads.” Lynn glimpsed at the spot where her phone lay. Lifting it, she tapped the icon on the screen to end the call.
With the conversation over, she dropped the cell and focused on the road. Driving slower, she was able to see she’d reached a clearing with open land on both sides of the road. Not far ahead, she saw another wooded area. If Mother Nature decided to spit hail, she wanted to stay close to the trees for coverage.
With a deep breath, she pressed her foot on the accelerator. In a matter of seconds, the wind picked up and the car shook. Buckets of rain hit the car while the windshield wiper blades sped to clear the water. Her heart picked up a few beats as worry began to infiltrate her mind.
Hearing a loud shriek outside, her concern increased tenfold. Although it sounded from above the car, she rationalized the noise had come from the engine, or perhaps a tornado was close by. She kept her foot on the gas pedal, hoping she’d make it to the woods.
Before her next breath, the front of the car jolted and she heard loud pops. She gasped and tightened her hold on the wheel. The car veered to the side of the road while there was a continuous clap-clap-clap. Braking hard, she fought to control the direction of the car. Her heart pounded as the car skidded off the road and then down.
Knowing the car would stop abruptly and the airbag would deploy, she let go of the wheel and crossed her arms in front of her face. Not even a second later, the car jerked to a stop. The seatbelt held her in place while the airbag shot at her in a big whoosh. It pushed her arms against her forehead and forced her back. Her head bounced off the headrest of the seat.
She didn’t move for the next several seconds. Rain pelted the car while her heart and thoughts raced. What the hell just happened? Was it a blow out? The tires were less than a year old. I have to do something. I need help.
The engine started to choke. She pushed the airbag back to expel the air from it. From the windshield, she could barely see the headlights. The car had stopped at a downward angle.
The engine chugged for life. She suspected she’d landed in a ditch. Judging by the direction of her car, she gathered she couldn’t back it out. When the engine died, she knew for certain she was stuck.
A loud screeching noise sounded from outside. Earlier she’d thought it could be the car, but now she doubted it. Fearing for her life, she unbuckled her seatbelt. She had to get to safety, and she didn’t believe her car was the best place. If a tornado was coming, she figured the woods would offer better safety than an open area. A tornado could pick up the car and toss it around like a toy. At least the trees could offer some protection.
Free from her belt, she pushed the door open. Cool drops of rain battered her arms and face as she left the car. Darkness surrounded her, but she could see the outline of the trees maybe twenty feet away.
Rain splashing in water grabbed her attention. The car had indeed slid down into a deep ditch. The front wheel looked fully submerged in water. She definitely wouldn’t be getting her car out without a tow truck.
As she swung the door shut, she slid in the slick grass. Swinging her arms, she managed to stay upright. But when the wind picked up, she feared her time to get to safety was shrinking quickly.
She dug her fingers and tennis shoes into the soft earth and started to climb. Once she reached the road, she’d run into the forest. Yes, she’d be exposed to flying debris, but she couldn’t think of any safer place to be at the moment.
Reaching the pavement, she straightened. As if she were in a shower, water cleansed her face. Her hair and clothes clung to her. Oddly, she didn’t hear any more loud noises and the wind had calmed. She looked in both directions, searching for signs of a tornado or anything that could’ve made the noise.
She started heading for the wooded area. After a few steps, she realized she couldn’t see much of anything. She needed a light. Pausing, she spun and peered in the direction of the car. She’d left her phone in it.
A deep growl emerged from the woods. Then another one joined in. Standing still, she scrubbed an arm over her eyes and peered into the darkness ahead for signs of movement. The noise she’d heard didn’t sound like a bear or moose. What she’d heard reminded her of a dog, or a wolf. When she saw movement from the woods, closer to the ground, she started backing away.
The beat of her heart grew stronger. Fear began to flood her. She could make it back to her car, but she feared the dogs, or wolves, would catch her before she could get back inside. She searched for somewhere else to hide, or a weapon to use. She didn’t want to be torn to shreds. She had to fight somehow. But when she spotted more dark objects moving on the road near the woods, panic kicked in and she took off running in the opposite direction.
Snarls and deep barks behind her encouraged her to run as fast as she could. Her life depended on her getting away. She thought she could until a strong gust of wind nearly knocked her back. She pushed her legs to keep going.
The beasts sounded as if they were getting closer. She sucked in quick breaths while her heart was ready to leap from her chest. The darkness and rain in her eyes prevented her from seeing anything clearly. She was going to be attacked. She just knew it. She didn’t want to die.
A whoosh of wind from behind nearly sent her stumbling forward. Taking her by surprise, something like a large hand closed around her arms and chest. She screamed as she was lifted off the ground. While Lynn wriggled to get free, the fingers around her body loosened. As she slipped down toward the growling animals, she felt a sharp pain stab her side and cuts dig into her abdomen. She screamed in pain while another set of fingers wrapped around her body.
Loud swooshing sounds along with quick tugs led her to believe she was moving upward. Wind swept around her with such ferocity that she felt like she was in a wind tunnel. Her hair blew in front of her face while rain shot at her. She couldn’t see or move. Something was holding her. Fingers, no, they were claws. But…they couldn’t be.
Looking down, she thought she saw trees way below her. Impossible. She couldn’t be flying. When she heard the same shriek she’d heard earlier come from directly above, her body jolted and her heart wanted to leap from her chest.
She had to be unconscious. She’d hit her head too hard. This was a dream, a very warped and crazy dream. She shook her head, trying to clear the hair from her eyes. The wind and the rain weren’t helping. She tried moving her arms and legs, and the fing
ers, or claws, squeezed her. She couldn’t wriggle free. Looking forward, she saw ripples and reflections of the lightening flashes. She was near water.
The whooshing sounds on both sides continued. Wings. The fingers, or claws, had to belong to a creature with wings. She’d lost her mind. Reading too many paranormal romance books had definitely given her the ability to create such a crazy dream.
As if she were floating, she noticed a shift downward. She had no idea where she could be, but she guessed she was deeper in the forest. Whatever creature had captured her, she’d have to get away. She didn’t want to be its meal.
Pain in her side throbbed, distracting her. It was light, but it still hurt. She doubted she would die from her wound, but she would need to deal with it. Why couldn’t she have a good dream without fear or pain?
The wind around her grew stronger and tossed her hair away from her wet face. She could finally see a building close by with a light glowing inside. The ground appeared to be getting closer and closer, too.
Fearing the beast would drop her, she writhed in its grasp. If she fell hard and broke any bones, she might not be able to escape. She wanted to believe she was unconscious, but the pain was too real. Her inability to move was too real. The descent to the ground looked very real.
Within feet of crashing, she held her breath and closed her eyes. Slowly, the fingers around her began to loosen. This was it. She was going to die a slow and painful death.
