Chapter Fifty-Nine – The Dragon’s Favorite Strays
Chapter Fifty-Nine
DAKOTA
I’m not going to cry with relief that Murr wants to stay.
I’m not.
If he wanted to go to a fort and meet more dragons, I’d wish him the best. I’d understand it. I wouldn’t follow, but I’d understand it. He’d be choosing his people over our motley little crew. It would make total sense…but I’m still overjoyed that he picks us.
I bite the inside of my cheek, trying to keep from grinning like a loon as Murr lets Thess know the bad news. “Murr home…here.” He gestures at the sad parking lot that we call ours. A cat takes that moment to butt its head up against his leg and he scoops it up. “Murr family here.”
“That’s right!” Rabbit moves to Murr’s side and flings her arms around his neck, hugging him from behind. She kisses his cheek. “We’re your family.”
Thess isn’t offended at his answer. There’s a little smile playing on her lips. “I thought this might be the case. We are all making new families where we can.”
Murr smiles and glances over at me, and I feel a warmth in my belly.
“Well, I’m not going to hug anyone,” Dottie says. “Just pretend I did.”
“I’ll hug him,” Aggie says, and starts to get up from her chair.
Dottie grabs her arm before she can. “Sit down, you old coot. Let him hug Dakota instead.”
Oh. A wave of shyness sweeps over me as everyone turns to look in my direction. Good lord, why am I feeling shy? I’m a grown ass woman. Yet it doesn’t feel like it’s just a hug. It feels like something…more? I get up and press myself against Rabbit, making her the ‘meat’ of a hug sandwich. She laughs with delight, and my arms barely go around Murr’s neck. “How’s that?”
“You can give him the good stuff later,” Aggie says with a wink.
Maybe that’s why I’m embarrassed. Because there is a horny old goat of a woman that’s going to make a big deal out of everything we do. I ease off of the hug pile. “And that’s enough of that.”
Murr chuckles and reaches for my hand, caressing it as I move back to my seat. “Later, yes.”
I smile to myself as I sit down again, picking up my blanket once more.
“Well, the offer stands. You’re all more than welcome at the fort, and I promise we’re friendly.” Thess gets to her feet, sliding the blanket off her shoulders and folding it neatly. “Can I bring you anything from the fort? Are you in need of anything specific? Medicine? Clothing?”
We all go quiet. Forts might have supplies, but they usually come with strings attached. Thess seems nice enough but we also just met her. “I think we’re good,” I say, deciding to speak for our group. “But if it changes, we know where to look.”
She gives Murr a fanged smile. “Then I will leave. May I come back to visit, Murtades?”
He gets to his feet, setting the cat down, and moves toward the female dragon. “Yes.”
He leans in and I stiffen, because it looks as if they’re going to kiss. Instead of kissing, however, they press their foreheads together and close eyes. They remain like that for a long moment, and then Thess sighs. “Nothing?”
“Nothing,” he agrees.
She pats his arm. “So it is. Be well until I see you again, Murtades.” She walks away a short distance, then does the strange hunch that Murr always does just before he launches himself into the air. A moment later her brick-red body shadows us, her wings beating hard to propel herself away. She trumpets as she goes, and I’m no judge of dragons, but it sounds friendly enough. Even the cats don’t panic. One lifts a paw and begins to daintily clean itself right next to Murr’s feet.
He watches the sky as she leaves, but he stays in his human form, and it makes me wonder what he’s thinking. Is he sad? Regretting his choice to stay with us? Glad she’s gone?
Rabbit nudges me with her elbow. I glance over at her, startled, and she widens her eyes at me. What does she want?
Dottie gets to her feet, her chair creaking. “I’m going to check on Stella and her puppies. You should come with me, Aggie. You too, Rabbit. Maybe we should see if the cats were scared by all the company we’ve had. I’m sure they could use petting if nothing else.”
“That’s a great idea,” Rabbit says. She shoots me another meaningful look and then goes to Aggie’s side, holding a hand out to help her up. “Come on, Aggie.”
“Oh, fine.” She gives me an obvious wink before heading off with the other two. They go inside the bookstore.
Thenit’s just me sitting by the fire, and Murr gazing thoughtfully at the sky. A cat rubs against my legs and chirps for attention, and I rub its ears, giving myself a silent pep talk. Is it easier to say nothing and not pry? Yes. Is it better? No. Am I scared as hell that I’m going to get hurt if Murr turns me down and decides to go after Thess? Yes.
Should I talk to him anyhow? Also yes.
With a deep breath, I get my courage up and stand.
“You want to go for a walk, Murr?” I say.
