Page 49 of The Accidental Dragon Baby

The heavens opened up, and sheets of rain poured down onto them.

13

PREGNANT DADS SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE KINGS

Ivo ran for the trees.

Ace hooked his arm around Ivo’s middle and swept him backward, off his feet. “No, not the trees.”

“But where else can I go?” Ivo cried.

Ace frowned. “My lair, sweetheart. I’d need to install lightning rods on the trees if you want to shelter there during a storm.”

They were quickly getting soaked. Ace arranged Ivo so he was cradled in one strong arm. Then he caught up with Harvey and tucked the shopping cart under his other arm, taking huge strides to the mansion. It was far quicker than Ivo could’ve managed.

They stepped onto the elegant porch with its beautiful white railings and pillars. The double front doors were wide and tall, decorated with clear glass panes that revealed an inviting foyer. Inside, lush green garlands had been wrapped around the grand staircase railings, dotted with golden fairy lights and red ribbons. Evergreen wreaths decorated the halls, and Ivo thought he saw a tinsel-wrapped pine tree through a doorway.

“It’s not Yuletide yet,” he blurted.

Ace grinned. “It’s Yuletide year-round in my lair.”

Ivo’s mouth fell open. “How?”

“Why not? My lair, my rules. I never want to stop feeling festive.”

“What about Raptor’s mansion?”

“Ah.” Ace smirked. “His lair is a different kind of festive.”

Maybe it was better for Ivo not to ask.

Harvey opened the front doors; Ace carried Ivo in. Gentle Yuletide music drifted over them.

“Hey,” Ace said when he set down the shopping cart. “Wipe off your wheels on the mat, like this.” He pushed the cart back and forth on the welcome mat, so most of the debris on its wheels fell off. “There. Do this every time you step into the house, okay?”

When he released the cart, it rolled back and forth by itself, as though it wanted to prove that it could obey instructions.

Ace grinned and patted its side. “Yup, you got it. Now you can go off and explore this place.”

They watched as the cart wheeled cautiously through the foyer and poked into the kitchen, like it was testing out this new space.

“I love shopping carts,” Ivo admitted.

“Wait ‘til it gets tangled up in a string of lights,” Ace said dryly. He led Ivo to a huge brick fireplace in the living room, where there were a few stockings hanging up.

“Don’t worry, I’ll add two for you and Mary,” Ace said.

He was watching Ivo intently again, and it stole Ivo’s breath away. “Oh. T-thanks.”

Ace beamed. “C’mon, let’s get you warmed up. Harvey, bring the towels. And a special one for Mary.”

“Why does Mary get a special towel and I don’t?” Ivo grumbled.

“Oh, you’re getting a different kind of special towel.” Ace’s smile widened. “Mine.”

Ivo’s insides shivered with heat.

Harvey returned with a huge stack of towels. Ace brought Ivo and Mary to a huge leather couch in front of the fireplace, wrapping a fluffy towel around them.

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