Tightening her grip on Fraser’s shirt, Holly leaned her head against his chest. If the DDA had changed their minds, she would have to think of something. There was no bloody way she was going to prison. She wanted to stay on Lochguard and also take care of her father. There had to be a way to make sure it happened, even if the DDA gave her grief.
As if sensing her distress, Fraser kissed her forehead. The brief contact helped to ease some of her tension. Whatever the problem, she knew deep down that Fraser would face it with her.
A small part of her wanted to keep him. Only time would tell if that could happen or not.
A few minutes later, they arrived at Finn’s cottage. Arabella opened the door before they even reached it and ushered them inside.
The instant the door closed, Holly spoke up. “Tell me what’s going on, Finn. The DDA haven’t changed their minds, have they?”
Arabella was the one to speak up. “It has nothing to do with the DDA.”
Fraser growled. “Stop stalling and just tell us what the fuck is going on.”
Arabella raised her brows. “I’ll let that slide this time, Fraser. But only for Holly’s sake.” She looked to Holly. “We received a message yesterday morning that your father had stayed overnight in the hospital. Since his first update signaled signs of improvement, we didn’t think it necessary to interrupt the frenzy.”
Holly clutched Fraser’s shirt with her fingers. “If he was better, you wouldn’t have rushed us over here.” She looked to Finn. “What did the text you received in the restaurant say?”
Finn’s brown eyes turned sympathetic and Holly’s stomach dropped. “He’s still alive, but he’s taken a sharp turn for the worse. They aren’t sure he’s going to make it.”
Fraser squeezed her closer. Holly looked from Arabella to Finn and back again. She couldn’t afford to cry or become emotional. Much like during her time as a midwife, Holly pushed away her fears and focused on finding out information. Only then could she try to solve the problem. “What happened exactly? When I left him, he was looking so healthy. The doctors were surprised at how well he’d been handling the treatment.”
Finn answered her. “We’re still waiting on the details. But Dr. Innes should have them soon.”
Fraser gently lowered her until her feet were on the floor and he said, “Then why are we still standing here? We should be at the surgery.”
Finn answered his cousin. “Because we need to talk about Holly visiting her father. The DDA has granted a week’s leave, with my permission.”
Holly blinked. “So I can leave and see him?”
“Aye,” Finn answered. “But with a few conditions.”
Fraser growled. “Her father might be dying. Now’s not the time to place conditions.”
Finn raised his brows. “Isn’t it? Someone snapped a photo of Holly at Lochguard’s gates and her face was flashed all over the media whilst you two were in the frenzy. Outed sacrifices aren’t treated well outside of a dragon clan’s lands, Fraser. You know that.”
Holly straightened her shoulders. She wasn’t about to let anything get in the way of seeing her father. “If I can handle you and your dragon, then I can handle a few harsh words.”
Fraser turned toward her. “If anyone so much as dares call you an idiot, let alone worse, I will flash my dragon eyes and extend a talon or two. That should scare them shitless.”
She raised an eyebrow. “The dragon hunters may be mostly in England, but they exist in all the major cities of the UK. Doing that in Aberdeen might be dangerous and the last thing I need is to visit you tied up in yet another hospital bed.”
“It doesn’t matter. I will do anything to protect you and our child, even if it costs me my life.”
Searching his eyes, she saw sincerity. Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “You’ve changed a lot since I first met you.”
He leaned close and laid his forehead against hers. “Oh, that version of me still exists. But you are my future, Holly, and I will bloody well fight to keep it.”
The truth in his words warmed her heart, but she couldn’t think about the possibilities with Fraser. She needed to help her father first. “Fine. But if you start growling at people, I’m sending you home.”
Fraser cupped her cheek and she leaned into his touch. “There’s no way in hell I’m allowing you out of my sight in public.”
Finn cleared his throat. Holly and Fraser both looked toward him as he chimed in, “As lovely as it is to see you two getting along so well, there are a few things you’re forgetting. If you think I’m letting you two travel to Aberdeen alone, then you’re crazy. Faye and Iris will go with you.”
Holly frowned. “Who’s Iris?”
Arabella answered, “She’s Lochguard’s best tracker. If someone is luring you to Aberdeen, then she’ll spot it a mile away.”
Holly put her hands up. “Wait a second. Why would anyone want to lure me anywhere? I’m just a midwife from Aberdeen. There’s nothing special about me.”