Page 28 of Secrets of the Dragon's Heart

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said, grinning at her, then slapped her on the butt. “Now, off you go. Max is waiting.”

CHAPTER 17

***CAMERON***

Cameron longed for nothing more than a hot shower and a comfortable bed as he made his way to the village. He’d been working for hours with Keith and Stella building the burner for the balloon. He wasn’t used to hard physical labor, and his muscles were aching, but he wanted to check on the balloon's progress before he called it a night. The village was deserted, a strange sight, but a light burned brightly behind the blinds of the little clothing shop.

He slipped through the unlocked door, followed the sound of sewing machines into the back room, and then froze for a second when he saw the older woman bent over a whirring needle. She looked up a second later, a big smile spread across her face, and she got to her feet, crossed the room, and then gave him a big hug before pulling back and looking at him.

“Cameron Sullivan, what took you so long to come see me?” Marie asked. “You’ve been here almost a week and nothing. I’ve spent more time with your woman than I have with you.”

“I’m sorry, Marie,” he said. “Max didn’t tell me that it wasyou he was talking about earlier tonight. I had no idea you were on the island. I would have been here sooner if I’d known. You’re like family to me, I don’t know what we all would have done if you hadn’t been there to take care of us.”

“You boys ran me ragged, but I loved every minute of it. I was lost when you all grew up, but now I have this wonderful place. Max made all my dreams come true,” she said, then looked across the room. “I like her, Cameron. She’s sweet and smart. She brought us coffee and sweets.”

He looked over at the couch pushed up against one wall where Kennedy was sound asleep, a blanket draped over her. “She’s had a couple of crazy days,” he said, warmth spreading through him as he watched her sleeping. “How long has she been here?”

“She showed up about half an hour ago; she looked so tired I told her she should rest, and she fell asleep almost instantly,” Marie said, then looked up at him. “You’ve found the one. I can see it in your eyes.”

“I love her more than anything in the world. I think we’ve bonded,” he said, then looked over at the older woman who had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I want to spend the rest of my life with her, but it might be impossible, not with the clan and my father breathing down my neck to do the right thing.”

Marie looked over at Kennedy, then back at him, and sighed. “Your father, well, he can be stubborn. Everyone in the clan knows that you’re not the right man for the job, but they’re all too afraid to say anything,” she said. “I can’t tell you what to do, Cameron, but if Kennedy is the one, if you’re bonding with her, it might be time to do more than talk.”

“I’m trying. I’ve been working on finding a solution for years, I’ve spent hours in the lab, and I’m close to what I’mlooking for,” he said. “If that doesn’t work, I’ll give it all up officially, but I really hope I don’t have to do that.”

Marie shook her head. “Cameron, science will not solve your problem. The clan doesn’t care about science,” she said. “Is that the only solution that you can think of? A smart man like you, there must be something else you could do.”

“Well, I did come up with another angle to explore in the lab, but that…” Marie cut him off.

“Not science, Cameron,” she said, giving him a thump like she used to when he was being especially dense. “Try thinking with your heart and not your head for a change.”

He looked over at Kennedy, still sound asleep. “Please don’t hit me again,” he said, wincing. “But I still don’t understand.”

“I swear you men can’t see what’s right in front of your face, and you’re the worst of them all,” Marie said. “Marry the girl, put a ring on her finger, and make her yours; once it’s done, there’s nothing your father can do about it.”

“Marie, I’m the heir. I can’t marry a human,” he said. “The clan would…”

“What?” she asked, interrupting him again. “This wouldn’t be the first time this has happened. Look at our history, it’s there, and if you’re really bonded to Kennedy, the clan will accept her.”

Hope surged through him, and he swept Marie up into his arms. “You just solved half of my problem,” he said, grinning at her. “If I have Kennedy, leading the clan might not be that bad.”

Marie studied him for a second. “Cameron, you should know it won’t be as easy as it sounds. Kennedy will have to pass a test before they believe that you’re bonded,” she said. “The two of you will have to face the council and your father. It won’t be easy. The bond will be the only thing that brings you through. I hope it’s truly there.”

“Marie, have you ever been in love?” he asked, surprised that he didn’t know.

She nodded her head. “Yes, once,” she said. “He was killed right before we were supposed to get married. I still miss him and love him today. I came to work for Max’s parents right after that. I knew that I’d never be able to love anyone again, that I would spend my life alone.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Marie, I didn’t know,” he said. “I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s okay, I think I understand why you did,” she said. “Marry her, Cameron, as quickly as you can.”

***Kennedy***

“Kennedy, sweetheart, it’s time to go home,” Cameron called, but sleep was holding onto her so tightly she couldn’t open her eyes. “Come on, sweetheart, you’ll be a lot more comfortable in bed with me.”

That caught her attention, and she opened her eyes to find Cameron smiling down at her. “I thought that might work,” he said. “Now, how about we head home? It’s been a long day.”

“What time is it?” she asked, sitting up. “How long have I been asleep?”

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