Page 58 of Dragon Charmed

Ben chuckled before checking to see if they were disturbing Lily. She hadn’t moved. “You didn’t have your Taser back then?”

“No, I graduated to more serious weaponry once I knew my best friend was marrying into a dragon clan.” She held up her hand. “Not to use on your clan, but on anyone who messed with the people I love.”

He understood, even though he hadn’t realized he had a family until a few hours ago. “The photos at your apartment?”

“Yes. You haven’t had a chance to meet them yet. My best friend, Megan, is married to Eric, and the baby you saw is your niece, Arabella. Bella for short.”

He swallowed as the family he didn’t know continued to grow. “It’s a lot to absorb.”

“Absolutely. Dr. Murphy said you need to rest and eat. Your cook, Marilyn, is in the kitchen making all your favorites.” She pursed her lips. “Or what used to be your favorites; we’ll have to see what you think now.”

“I have a cook?” he blurted.

“Yes. And she’s a great one. She makes amazing food, but her desserts are an out-of-body experience.”

He smiled at her enthusiasm. “You spend a lot of time here?”

She ran her hand along the blanket. “Yes. When Eric married Megan, I told him he wasn’t getting rid of me. And after Bella was born, I doubled down.”

All the names and people. It was making his head spin.

When he didn’t respond, Tessa continued. “Why don’t I call downstairs and have Marilyn send something up for you to eat. You have to be starving by now.”

He nodded, and she walked over to a small panel by the door and clicked a button and ordered some food.

“I have an intercom?” He needed to stop blurting out everything that came to mind.

Tessa laughed as she walked back to the bed. “You do. This house is humongous. Makes things easier.”

He pulled in a shaky breath. How was he going to fit in here? Her expression gentled and she rested her hand on his arm. “I know this is overwhelming. But you’ll figure things out, and you are so lucky to have your family. They’re amazing.”

The warmth of her hand gave him some comfort. “Even Eric? You seem to threaten him a lot.”

She shrugged. “Someone has to keep him in line. Now I have a question for you.”

Would he have an answer? “Shoot.”

“Do you want to be called Ben or Adam?”

He sat back. “I hadn’t thought about it. Wasn’t sure if I had a choice.”

“You always have a choice. If you are more comfortable being Ben, then that’s what we’ll call you until you decide otherwise.”

“Will it upset the others?” They’d had enough to deal with because of him.

Tessa shook her head. “They’re so happy you’re back, they would call you Puff the Magic Dragon if you wanted them to.”

He smiled. “Why can I remember old song references and not my own past?”

“We’ll figure it out.”

He liked her use of the word we. “I’d like to be Ben for right now.”

She squeezed his arm. “Then that’s what we’ll call you.”

Her hand was like a brand, and he wanted her to stay close. But he couldn’t think too much about that. He needed to figure out who he was before he could let someone else in.

An hour later he felt like a new man. He had some great food while Tessa and Lily helped him eat the cookies Marilyn had brought with the meal. Then they’d left him alone so that he could take a hot shower.