Or, at least, that was what Fraser tried to convince himself as he went back to pulling weeds.
~~~
The instant Fraser stepped outside, Arabella looked at Holly. “I know I give him a hard time, but all of the MacKenzies are wonderful. It’s a good first step that you ignored his flirting, though. He’s nearly as bad as my mate.”
Holly couldn’t remember the last time she’d had the urge to flirt with a man. For a brief second, she’d thought she was lucky and Fraser had been her assigned dragonman. Not just because he was handsome with auburn hair and dark blue eyes, but talking to him was easier than it was with most men.
It was just her luck that it was the twin of her assigned dragonman.
Forget about him, Holly. You can’t have him.
Focusing on Arabella, Holly shrugged. “I wouldn’t really call it flirting. He was being ridiculous, so I decided to follow suit.”
Arabella’s brown eyes studied hers and Holly resisted the urge to fidget. Ever since she’d stepped foot on Lochguard, everyone seemed to be watching her.
Arabella motioned toward the door on the far side of the kitchen. “Come, I’ll settle you into your room. Finn texted me earlier and should be home within the hour, provided the two old coots don’t throw tantrums this time and start destroying other people’s property.
”
As she followed Arabella, Holly jumped on the distraction. “Finn mentioned something about Archie and Cal dropping cattle. What was he talking about?”
Arabella shrugged. “It’s no big secret. The two dragonmen are in their seventies and have been accusing one another of stealing for over forty years. They have neighboring farms, so they’re always yelling at each other. Sometimes, they shift into dragons, snatch their rival’s cattle, and drop it into their yard.”
“Why don’t they just move farther apart from one another?”
The corner of Arabella’s mouth ticked up. “Finn’s been proposing it every day for more than a year. But the two stubborn males each claim their families have had their land for centuries and suggest the other should be the one to move.”
As they ascended the stairs, Arabella paused a second to close her eyes and cover her mouth. Holly laid her suitcase down and went to the same step as the dragonwoman. “You look pale. Maybe you should sit down and I’ll find something to help with the nausea.”
Arabella took a few deep breaths and then removed her hand. “Nothing has worked so far. I’ve tried everything. The best I can do is push on until the baby is born.”
Holly turned Arabella around and guided her down the stairs to the living room. The dragonwoman’s pregnancy was just the distraction she needed. “You haven’t let me have a go. Give me a chance.”
Arabella sat down on the couch and rested her feet on an ottoman. “Why? You seem nice, but I don’t know you.”
Holly stood up tall. “I’m a trained and experienced midwife. I may not have worked with dragon-shifters, but I often handled some of the worst cases of morning sickness and difficult pregnancies during my time. I can help.” Arabella remained silent, so Holly added, “I have no reason to poison you or harm you. If I don’t serve out my time as a sacrifice, I’ll be imprisoned and I won’t be able to help my dad. He’s ill, but recovering. I’m the only family he has. I can’t risk leaving him alone.”
Arabella’s pupils flashed to slits and back. “I hear the truth in your words.” She placed a hand over her still flat belly. “If you can help me tame the little beastie, then you’ll have my gratitude and I’ll owe you. And believe me, having the good graces of the clan leader’s mate could come in handy.”
Holly had glimpsed the wild garden out back, but she still asked, “Do you have anything useful growing out there? I noticed a small greenhouse in the back.”
“You’re observant.” Arabella adjusted her position on the sofa. “There might be. But I couldn’t tell a tea leaf from a strawberry leaf.” Arabella paused, then added, “But just a warning—Fraser is out there and he flirts with almost anything female. If he bothers you, just send him in to me.”
That certainly explained Fraser’s behavior earlier. She wouldn’t think twice about it again.
Holly motioned with her hands. “You stay there. I’ll see what I can find in the kitchen first. If there’s nothing there, then I’ll check the greenhouse.”
“You’re ace, Holly Anderson. Once you’re settled in, the surgery could use your help, provided the doctors approve of you. If you feel up to it, of course.”
Arabella was referring to Holly’s possible pregnancy.
Pushing aside that thought, she focused on the positive. “I’ve been reading up on the effects of dragon-shifter hormones on human women as well as some of the latest research. I’d love more than anything to work with the doctors and nurses here.”
Arabella smiled. “Here a few hours and you’ve already got a grand plan. You remind me a bit of some of the humans back home.”
“On Stonefire.”
“Yes. But enough about me. I can’t believe I’m being this chatty. It must be the midwife in you. Go see what you can cook up for me because the second I stand up again, I’m going to have to rush to the toilet. And considering I have a million things to do today, I’d rather not.”