With a nod, Holly went into the kitchen and started looking through the cupboards.
For the first time since learning she’d been approved as a sacrifice, Holly wasn’t dreading her time on Lochguard. Between crazy old men dropping cattle, to flirty redheads, to working in a dragon-shifter surgery, everything pointed to a decent stay.
Well, except for the fact she hadn’t met Fergus yet.
Holly looked out of the kitchen window. Fraser had his hands on his lean hips as he survived the jungle that passed for a garden. Just looking at his broad shoulders and slightly wavy hair made her wonder what it’d be like to have him hold her close.
Blinking, Holly reminded herself she was assigned to Fergus, not Fraser.
Besides, they were twins. If she found one attractive, surely she’d find the other one attractive as well.
Yet their personalities could be vastly different for all she knew.
Rather than think about just how different Fergus could be from his brother, Holly went back to searching the cupboards. If she were lucky, she would find something in the kitchen to help Arabella. Otherwise, Holly would have to go outside and ignore Fraser, no matter how nice he might be.
Because if she talked with him again, she might start to like him. And a woman in her position didn’t have that option.
Chapter Three
Fraser had just finished clearing a six-inch square patch of weeds when the glass sliding door opened. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched Holly march from the door to the wee greenhouse in the far corner. She didn’t so much as look in his direction.
His dragon growled and forced his way out of the mental maze. Why is she ignoring us? Follow her.
No. I have work to do.
Fraser turned back around and moved to a new patch of weeds, but his beast roared so loudly that Fraser clapped his dirt-and-grass-covered hands over his ears. What the hell are you doing, dragon? Stop throwing a fit.
You won’t win. I want to talk to Holly. Otherwise, I will do this all day long until you do.
His beast went back to roaring and snarling. It was the closest thing to what he’d call a dragon temper tantrum.
With a grunt, Fraser turned toward the greenhouse. The door was open, but because of his dragon’s ruckus, he couldn’t hear what Holly was doing. Fraser yelled inside his head, Shut it, dragon. I’m going.
His beast went silent before replying, Good. Now, hurry.
Muttering under his breath, Fraser took his time walking to the greenhouse. He might be doing what his dragon asked, but Fraser would do it on his own terms.
Before his beast could go into another tantrum, Fraser peeked his head inside the greenhouse. Holly was bent over a collection of peppermint.
The greenhouse covering was dirty, which made the light streaming inside dim, but dragon-shifters had keen eyesight. He could see every tendril of dark hair that had escaped her bun. One curved against her cheek while another cascaded down the soft skin of her neck.
Holly’s hair went all the way down her back.
Studying her plain dark red jumper and black trousers, combined with her bun, he wondered what Holly looked like when she was carefree. He didn’t like her reserved appearance. He bet underneath there was a wild, adventurous spirit dying to get out.
His dragon chimed in. We will find out soon enough.
His beast’s words was like a slap in the face. No, we won’t. Fergus is the one who will bring her out of her shell.
Fergus is too reserved around strange females. It will take him too long. We should do it.
Before he could reply, Holly’s voice echoed inside the greenhouse. “Are you just going to stare at me or do you have something to say?”
Fraser cleared his throat and took a step inside the greenhouse. “I was just wondering if you needed any help, lass. That’s all.”
Holly met his gaze and raised an eyebrow. “I’m quite good with medicinal herbs and plants. You can go now.”
His dragon growled. She shouldn’t be brusque with us.