Mel’s eyes softened. “I’m sorry if it is true, but stop being stupid.”
Holly blinked. “What?”
“The rumors about dragon-shifters are usually half full of shit. If you had read my book, you’d have known that.”
“My life has been too busy to do much else but work and take care of my father. Besides, your book is recent. It’s going to take a long time for that information to become general knowledge.”
Mel shrugged. “Still, asking the dragon-shifters directly is always the best way. Since that’s impossible right now, you’ll have to just take my word for it that Finn and his clan won’t toss you aside for something beyond your control.”
She searched Melanie’s eyes. “Do you speak for Lochguard now?”
“Of course not. But if you have such little faith in them, then maybe you should just go home and forget about them. Dragons need strong mates who believe in them. If you’re not up to the task, then just tell me now.”
Holly studied Melanie for a second. Fire and protectiveness flashed in the woman’s eyes. Holly had heard a little about how Melanie was the first to really champion the dragon-shifters in modern times. Yet the woman had always seemed kind and collected on TV.
For the first time, Holly was seeing the Melanie Hall-MacLeod who had not only won an entire dragon clan’s loyalty, but who had singlehandedly managed to change many of the rules concerning dragon-shifters.
Holly sat up a little more. “I’m more than ready. But I want to make sure my father is well again, first.”
Mel nodded. “Family is important. As I sacrificed myself to save my brother, I understand your devotion more than most.”
Holly relaxed and put out a hand. “We’ve gone about this a bit backwards, but nice to meet you, Melanie.”
Melanie smiled, took her hand, and shook. “I just needed to make sure of your intentions and determination. I’ve witnessed firsthand a sacrifice who didn’t want anything to do with the dragon-shifters, and it destroyed her in the end.”
Holly released her hand. “I want to live on Lochguard, but there is one problem. Maybe you can help me.”
Mel raised an eyebrow “What’s that?”
“I’m the only family my father has left. He’s battling cancer and I want to take care of him. But in order to do that, he needs to live close by. Is there a way to legally allow my father to live on Lochguard?”
Mel tapped her chin. “Well, if Fraser accepts you as his mate, then I’ll see what I can do. I can’t make any guarantees, but if I can’t make it happen, along with Evie’s help, then no one can.”
There was a small flutter of hope in her stomach. “Then help me get out of the hospital and to my father’s side. The sooner he’s healthy enough to be discharged from the hospital and is fit for travel, the sooner I can focus on winning Fraser back.”
Mischief danced in Mel’s eyes. “My mate will kill me later, but I have a few ideas of how to get you out of here as soon as possible.” Mel assessed her for a second before adding, “But not until we know if you’ve truly lost the baby. If moving you too soon does that, Fraser will try to kill me. The last thing we need is discord between Stonefire and Lochguard.”
Holly sighed. She’d briefly forgotten about her child. “The doctors said they’ll know by tomorrow evening at the latest. We’ll move then.”
Mel leaned forward and laid a hand on Holly’s arm. “Whatever happens, you have me on your side, Holly Anderson. Being a human amongst a clan of dragon-shifters isn’t easy. Even if you do miscarry, Fraser will welcome you back. And if he’s stupid enough to turn you away, then you’re welcome to live on Stonefire. We’ll protect you against anyone who wishes to hurt you.”
Even if Holly had turned Fraser away, she couldn’t imagine him dismissing her. If he tried, then Holly would just have to smack him on the head and get his dragon on her side.
However, to keep her thoughts from showing, Holly smiled at Mel and replied, “Thank you.”
Mel squeezed Holly’s arm and leaned down to pick up her handbag. Lifting it, Mel plucked a deck of cards from it. “If you’re tired, I’ll let you rest. But if I were you, and had just been dropped from the freaking sky, I’d be too hyped up to sleep. Cards can prove a mindless distraction. I learned that lesson myself when I stayed by my brother’s side. He had cancer too, you know, but pulled through.” Mel wiggled the cards in her hand. “So, what do you say? Are you ready for me to beat your ass in Go Fish?”
Despite everything going on, Mel’s good mood was infectious. “I think I can manage that. I need all of the distractions I can get.”
“Right, then.” As Mel shuffled and dealt out the cards, Holly glanced over at the note on the table next to her bed. As much as she appreciated Mel’s presence, Holly wished it was Fraser trying to cheer her up.
The next day would give her a better idea of her future. For the moment, Holly focused on winning a game of Go Fish.
Chapter Fourteen
Fraser yanked out another weed from the ground and tossed it to the side. Not even the menial work of clearing Finn and Arabella’s garden could distract him from thinking about a certain honey-eyed human female.
It’d been just over two weeks since he’d last seen Holly. Every time he tried to remember her smiles or laughter, the image of her ordering him away flashed inside his mind.