The Dragon’s Chance by Jessie Donovan

Chapter Eleven

Logan Lamont approached the MacAllisters’ cottage, took a deep breath, and knocked. He had no idea why Emma had asked him to come over—she'd refused to say by text—but he seemed to look for ways to torture himself. And so he'd said yes, even though he should be at home studying.

Although if all she wanted was help with her bloody geocaching adventures again, he was going to say no this time and go home. There was no way he'd stick around to watch her flirt with other males like last time.

His dragon spoke up. If you'd stop pining for her and do something about it, everything would be fine.

I doubt it. I tried that years ago, and it didn't work. She laughed at us, if you remember, aye? She thought it was all a lark.

But you never kissed her before. That might do it.

Logan wasn't so sure. Especially since he well knew that Emma wasn't his true mate.

He'd been halfway in love with her for years, drawn to her ability to say what she meant, laugh at herself, and secretly have a huge heart for anyone who needed help.

Not that she'd admit it, and most people didn't notice her kindness, but not long ago he'd learned of her help with some of the older clan members. Simple things like shopping, or gossiping, or just stopping round to see if anything needed doing in their houses.

Why she did it all secretly, he had no bloody idea. She hadn't even told him. No, he'd only found out about her secret volunteer work when visiting his great-aunt. She'd let it slip about how Emma MacAllister had been by again, with a new basket of shortbread, like she did every week. A little prying had revealed that the female often stopped by the elder clan members during her lunch break, but she always asked them to keep it secret. Great-Aunt Mary had said Logan was family, so surely it didn't break her promise to tell him.

But the revelation had only made him want Emma all the more.

He'd debated asking Emma about her actions in person, but the next time he'd seen her, she'd instantly blurted about some sort of treasure hunt. Even though he had studies to do—Logan was training to be a fully-fledged doctor—he'd accompanied her and the MacKay brothers on her latest little treasure-hunting adventure.

Well, not for real treasure, but apparently people around the world set up "finds" and clues via a process called geocaching. And during the excursion, he'd seen firsthand how she'd flirted with both of the Seahaven lads.

Never with Logan, however. He'd been there in case someone was injured, nothing more.

He should've said no, but he couldn't bear the thought of Emma getting hurt with no one to help her properly. Impulsive may as well be her middle name when it came to her treasure hunts.

The door opened, bringing him back to the present and revealing Emma holding her baby sister in her arms. The sight of Emma with a bairn in her arms did things to him that Logan would rather not think about.

Instead he smiled, quirked an eyebrow, and asked, "So what's this borderline emergency you texted me about?"

She pulled him inside. Once the door shut, she sighed. "I need your help with Sophie." He raised his brows. She added, "You've mentioned watching your nephew multiple times. Plus I've seen you with him at some of the smaller clan gatherings, and I figured you'd be able to tell me what to do, aye?"

Of course she wanted him to help her babysit. He was only her friend, after all.

Pushing aside his disappointment, he decided he wouldn't make this easy for her. "Why would you agree to watch her if you don't know what you're doing?"

She bit her lower lip and it took everything he had not to stare at it.

His dragon whispered, I still say you should kiss her once and see how it goes.

Thankfully Emma replied, "I know what I should be doing, and yet I'm still nervous. Mum never asks me to watch Sophie on my own. And I'm terrible with children."

He nodded toward the softly babbling bairn in her arms and said dryly, "Aye, so terrible. Why, look at how upset she is."

Emma narrowed her eyes. "Mum just left a few minutes ago, so of course Sophie's fine for the moment. But in about ten minutes, she'll start wailing for Mum. And I can never get her to quiet down."

He sighed. "Emma, you're a grown female who's lived the past three months under the same roof as wee Sophie. Surely you can handle her without me."

Emma averted her eyes to the side. "Mum didn't want to leave her with me, I could tell."

The flash of hurt in her gaze was gone before he could blink. He softened his tone a fraction. "Why would you say that?"

She looked back at him. "It's only because Jake said I should watch her that she finally agreed to it. And even then, Mum hesitated handing Sophie over. She doesn't trust me with this." Her eyes turned pleading. "Please, Logan. You're so good with your nephew. Can't you help me just this once and show me how you manage it? That way I won't let my mum down."

Emma rarely showed vulnerabilities. To most of Lochguard, she was a brash, carefree lass who had a penchant for trouble.

Yet here she was, asking him to help with her sister, afraid she'd muck it up on her own.

And bloody hell, he couldn't say no now, not for all the gold in the world.

His dragon said, Good. I still say kiss her later and show we're more than a friend.

He ignored his beast. "I'll help, Emma. But only help. You're going to do most of the work, aye?"

She nodded, her eyes lighting up. "Whatever you say, I promise." He raised his brows at that. She huffed. "I can follow orders when I want to, Logan."

"We'll see, lass, we'll see." He gestured toward the living area. "Let's try our best to wear her out and then maybe she'll sleep better. Where are the toys?"

And so they went and managed to keep Sophie occupied, and dry, and even fed until she finally fell asleep.

To Logan's surprise, Emma had followed his suggestions. Well, mostly.

Which was strangest of all. Emma rather liked being in charge.

Although the fact she'd been able to admit her fault showed she was finally growing up a bit, a far cry from when they were teens and she'd denied everything, no matter if she'd been in the wrong or not.

As they sat down to tea and biscuits, he thought about his dragon's words. The last time he'd asked Emma out on a date, they'd both been teenagers. Maybe she'd had a change of heart over the years.

Aye, they were friends. Rather close friends, at that. The question was whether he would risk rejection again and possibly destroy that friendship or finally find a way to move past her and remain merely as her friend.

However, before he could finish listing all the pros and cons inside his head, Emma's youngest brother, Jamie, burst into the kitchen, surprised to see Logan.

The male quickly regained his wits and said, "Uncle Arlo's taken Jake."

"What?" he and Emma said at the same time.

Jamie nodded. "It's true. I've come to help watch Sophie whilst Mum talks with Faye, Grant, and Finn."

Emma blurted, "But why would Uncle Arlo take Jake? From what I heard, he doesn't like the human, but I didn't think he'd resort to something like that."

Jamie's face turned grim. "No, he doesn't like the human. He snatched him in his dragon form and flew away."

Logan blinked at that. It was against clan rules to merely pick someone up and fly away without their consent, no matter if they were human or dragon.

Not to mention if the DDA got word of it, Arlo MacAllister would most likely end up in jail.

Sophie started crying from upstairs, and Logan motioned for Emma and Jamie to stay. "I'll help with her until things calm down. Finish telling Emma the details."

Emma gave him a look of gratitude before he went upstairs to check on the bairn.

Any thoughts of trying to be more than Emma's friend fled his mind. Her family was about to go through hell and back, and she'd probably need him to lean on.

And as he went about calming Sophie, Logan decided it'd have to be enough.

For now.