Page 30 of Dragon Tempted

Ryan maneuvered around a tree branch. “Back at the cabin he was actually being cordial until you pushed him.”

She looked over at Ryan. “Were you eavesdropping on our conversation again?”

He grinned. “You were the one who had me wait outside while you talked to him first. And we’ve already had this discussion. Of course I was eavesdropping. What self-respecting assistant wouldn’t?”

“We need to discuss what your job duties should be.”

He pulled into the large garage and parked. “I understand perfectly what my job duties are. I want you to be careful.”

She felt some bristling of her own but dialed it back after their recent conversation. “You don’t trust John.”

He turned to face her. “I don’t know him well enough to trust him. Think about how frustrating this has been for you and your family now that you know the curse is real. John has been trying to break the curse for centuries. It’s an obsession. And obsessions can make anyone dangerous.”

She nodded. “I know. He has so many walls built up I don’t know if anyone can get close. Except maybe the girls.”

Ryan smirked at her. “That was a good idea of yours for Lily and Bella to meet him.”

“I wasn’t being too nefarious. Lily did want to meet him, but I thought having Megan, Tessa, and the girls tag team him might sway him to stick around.”

“It definitely helped.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “But I think you’re underestimating your persuasive powers.”

She shrugged although she was feeling anything but nonchalant at Ryan’s comments. “We’ll see. Now let’s get back to work. I have a busy schedule.”

“Not anything I don’t already know as well.”

She sighed. “You are such a smart-ass.”

He chuckled. “I know that too.”

Sienna and Ryan headed into the house and straight to the office. Sienna opened the door, jerked to a stop, and Ryan ran into her back. Megan sat at the desk with John’s journals spread out in front of her. She handed Tessa a sticky note, and Tessa walked over to the wall that was already partially covered with notes. “Where does this go, Megs?”

“Third column,” Megan said.

“What the heck?” Sienna blurted.

Both women turned to her. “Hi!” Megan said. “We, um, sort of took over the office.”

“Sort of?” Ryan murmured behind her.

Normally the office was used by her during the day for clan business, and then Megan worked on the clan historical research once Bella was down for the night. This was a preemptive strike. But Sienna couldn’t blame them. “Find anything interesting yet?”

“It’s all interesting! To have a singular account of history for centuries from one person. It’s fascinating. I was starting to read through things and taking notes of my own, but it was too hard to follow.” Her hand swept toward the wall. “I have to try to make sense of things. I need order.”

Tessa looked fondly at her friend. “Megs, take a breath and stop geeking out about history for a moment.”

Megan’s eyes widened. “How can you not geek out about history?”

“I stand corrected,” Tessa said with a bow. “Are you needing the office back? I tried to restrain her, but it was a no go.”

“Ha!” Megan laughed. “You restrain me! The world has gone cattywampus.”

Sienna tried to keep a straight face, but Ryan started laughing as well. “Ryan and I can go work in the dining room. I don’t have any conference calls today.”

“Let me grab the laptops and a couple of other things and we’ll be out of your way,” Ryan said. “And Megan, I’ll order a couple of large whiteboards for you so that you can move all your notes there. That will make them portable as well. I should be able to have something delivered by tomorrow.”

Megan beamed at him. “Thanks, Ryan.”

“Yes, thanks, Ryan,” Sienna added.