Page 72 of Dragon Charmed

“Never know what little ears might be listening.”

She chuckled. “You’re a fast study.”

He shook his head. “I’ve got a lot to learn and little time to do it.”

“Don’t make me call your dragon out to kick your ass-paragus.”

He laughed. “Yes, ma’am.” How could she know exactly what to say to calm him down?

“Your memories will come back when they’re supposed to. Hopefully Jonas will find something with all the things he’s digging through.” She sat on the lounge chair and patted the seat next to her. “Tell me what it’s like to fly.”

He thought for a moment before responding. “It’s true freedom. To be able to leave the earth and soar in the air. It was joy in motion.” He shook his head. “I’m not doing a good job of describing it.”

“You’re doing a pretty good job to me.” She tilted her face to the sky. “To be able to do that would be amazing.”

He glanced at her profile. “I can take you up sometime if you want.”

She turned to him with a smirk on her face. “I think I’ll wait until you’ve had your training wheels off for a bit.” Then she winked at him.

And he felt like he was soaring again.

Chapter 28

Tessa carried the gift bag into the clan house and searched for the very special recipient. She found Megan in the kitchen sitting at the table with Bella, who waved her hands at Tessa.

“How’s my amazing, smart girl?”

Bella grinned before stuffing a fish cracker into her mouth.

“As you can see, she’s happy. Snack time makes her happy. She takes after her Auntie Tessa like that.”

Tessa chuckled. “Have you seen Lily?”

Megan pointed toward the half-eaten plate across from her. “She was having snack time with us, but she saw Ben and went outside to be with him. He was a bit anxious earlier. And Lily seems to sense it.”

Tessa nodded. “She did the same thing with me the other day.” She held up the bag. “I have a surprise for her.”

Bella raised her arms.

“Don’t worry, squirt. I have something for you too.” She handed Megan a small wrapped gift, and Bella went to town, ripping off the paper in record time.

She held up the soft book. “Bah!”

“It’s one of those indestructible books. She can chew on it too since she’s teething.”

“Thank you. I’ll read it to her before her nap.” She nodded toward the back windows. “I’m sure Lily and Ben would like you to go spend time with them.” Megan waggled her eyebrows at her.

“Seriously. You have the subtlety of a rhino, my friend.”

Megan laughed. “Look who’s talking!”

Tessa walked away without responding, which had Megan laughing harder and Bella joining in. Tessa opened the door to the back deck, and her heart melted like a marshmallow too long over a campfire. Ben was sitting on a lounge chair with his legs on either side. Lily sat at the end of the chair and leaned against him as they both stared at the valley. She wondered if the scenery calmed their dragons. “What are you two up to?”

They both turned to her and smiled. Her marshmallow heart plopped into the flames.

“We were listening to the valley. It was telling us stories,” Ben said.

Lily nodded.