Page 36 of A Savior for the Arrogant Dragon

CHAPTER 20

***SIMON***

The next morning Simon stood on the dock holding Kira’s hand as they watched a boat approaching the marina, “Oh, I bet that’s them,” Kira said, a huge smile on her face. “I still can’t believe you did this Max, thank you again.”

“It seemed like the simplest solution,” Max said. “Besides, the island was meant to be a sanctuary. Your family wasn’t really in any danger, but close enough.”

The boat pulled up a second later, and Simon’s stomach began to twist in knots. Being together in the real world seemed so easy in thought, but the reality might be different. Suddenly worried that her parents wouldn’t like him, he stood up straighter, sucked his stomach in, and took a deep breath.

“Will you stop worrying,” Kira said, smiling up at him. “My parents are nice people. I’m sure they’re going to like you.”

He was waiting for the boat when it pulled up to the dock, and he secured the lines carefully, then stepped back while Kira’s father helped her mother and the baby off theboat. Kira swooped the child out of her mother’s arms, giving her a hug at the same time, then kissed her father’s cheek before turning to him.

“Simon, I want you to meet my parents,” she said, pulling him over. “Dan and Molly, and this little lady is Kiley.”

“It’s nice to meet you all,” he said, making faces at Kiley. “I hope you had a good trip.”

Molly studied him for a second, “It was quite the experience,” she finally said. “We’ve never been on a private plane before. It was very luxurious.”

“Much better than flying commercial,” he said, feeling like an idiot.

Just then, Max stepped up to them, rescuing him, “I’m Max St. Clair, I’m so glad you enjoyed your flight,” he said. “I hope you enjoy your stay on the island. Mary Beth has been working day and night to get everything straightened out at home. You should be safe to head back there in a week.”

“We can’t thank you enough,” Dan said. “This will give us some piece of mind, and I know Mary Beth will do all that she can to protect both Kira and Kiley.”

“If you guys aren’t too tired, I thought we could go down to the beach for a picnic,” Kira said. “Then you can go back to your cabin, get unpacked, and rest for a while.”

“That sounds wonderful,” her mother said. “A picnic on the beach, just the thing to chase away all the bad energy from the other night.”

“I’ll have to pass,” Max said. “I have some things I need to handle. I just wanted to be here to welcome you to the island.”

“I hope we’ll be seeing you again,” Molly said. “We barely got a chance to chat.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll be around,” Max said. “But I’m going to leave you in Simon’s capable hands.”

“The picnic was his idea,” Kira said. “He arranged for allthe food, so we should be in for a treat. Simon has excellent taste.”

When they were all settled on the beach, Molly looked around, “This is very nice,” she said. “Thank you, Simon.”

“You’re welcome. It’s such a beautiful place, and the beach is the best part,” he said. “And speaking of the beach, I have a little surprise for Kiley.”

He got to his feet, reached behind a large bush, and brought out a brightly wrapped basket, “I asked Montgomery to pick up a few things for Kiley when he went to get your parents,” he explained, setting the basket down in front of the baby. “You’ll probably have to help her open it.”

Kiley was already tearing at the paper, “Oh, I guess not,” he said, then laughed. “I haven’t been around very many kids.”

“How old are you?” Dan demanded. “I mean, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“I don’t mind,” he said. “I just turned thirty last winter.”

Kira shot her dad a dirty look, and he pretended not to notice, “And what do you do for a living?” he asked, then shushed Kira when she started to protest. “A father is allowed to ask these questions.”

“Well, sir, to be quite honest with you, I’m currently not employed,” he said, hoping he sounded more confident than he felt. “But I’m looking into some options, and I’m sure something will come along soon.”

“And what would that something be?” Dan asked. “I just……”

“Dad, that’s enough,” Kira said. “Stop grilling him and look what he got for Kiley. It’s a little life jacket. It’s so cute.”

Dan grunted, “I don’t think a life jacket is supposed to be cute, but it was a good idea,” he said, then turned away to watch the surf, mumbling under his breath.

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