Page 23 of Fight Fire With Fire

“Not even a little bit.” I squeezed Dawson’s hand. “And it’s a two-way street.”

Blake laughed. “I’m not surprised. You always got a little grumpy when you had to share the things that mattered to you.”

“Speaking of sharing…while we’re here, I was hoping I could get some stem cuttings from your garden.” I jerked my thumb toward Dawson. “His dragon stomped on a bunch of my plants and killed them.”

He crossed his arms over his broad chest and shook his head. “Only because I was saving your life.”

I had already told Blake what had happened with Ozul, so he wasn’t surprised by my consort’s protest. “Whatever the reason, you’re more than welcome to take whatever you’d like. My garden thrived under your care. I consider the plants to be yours more than mine.”

I rubbed my hands together. “Do you still have extra containers and potting soil in the shed?”

“Other than sending your personal items to your new home, I haven’t changed a thing.”

His answer warmed my heart. The Aldebrand family compound had been my home for so many years. I liked that he hadn’t wiped my presence from it now that I was gone.

I turned pleading eyes on Dawson. “We were cooped up in the car for hours. Wouldn’t it be nice to get some fresh air now that our drive is over?”

“Whatever you want, baby.”

“Thank you,” I squealed, giving him a big hug before turning back toward Blake. “I’ll go grab my supplies.”

“While she’s doing that, maybe you could show me which room we’ll be staying in?” Dawson asked. “I can bring in our bags before she turns me into slave labor in the garden.”

“It won’t be that bad,” I promised. “I’m not going to ask you to transplant a tree or anything like that.”

“That’s what she says now”—Blake pointed at the Bing cherry tree I’d planted when I was fifteen—“but with how much she loves to pick cherries, I wouldn’t be surprised if she tries to talk you into taking that one with you.”

I liked hearing them bond, even if it was at my expense. I’d been so worried they’d never get along, but Dawson was laughing as they walked to the SUV so he could get our bags. And when they came back out to the garden, he seemed at ease with Blake. It meant the world to me that they were getting along better than I had expected. I hummed as I clipped starters from the plants I wanted and planted them in potting soil so they’d survive until I could get them into my garden.

“In all the years you lived here, I don’t think I ever saw you quite so comfortable.” Blake crouched next to me. “I will always be grateful to him for bringing you peace.”

I beamed a smile at Dawson over my shoulder. “I’m happy now that I have a family of my own.”

“I will always consider you to be a part of mine.” Dawson growled, and Blake smiled as he held his hands up in a gesture of surrender. “Both of you. Ember as my daughter and you as my son-in-law.”

Dawson searched my expression, sighing when he took in my hopeful gaze. “Thank you.”

My smile widened. “You can never have too much family.”

“Very true,” Blake agreed.

Almost as though he’d heard us talking about family, Blake’s grandson called, “Hey, is anybody home? I thought Ember was visiting today.”

“We’re out here,” Blake answered.

Brock walked out onto the back porch and shook his head. “Why am I not surprised to find you in the garden? You haven’t been back to Brandenton in more than a month, Ember. Did you even wait five minutes before you started playing in the dirt?”

“Almost.”

“Not even close,” Dawson disagreed.

As Brock moved closer, he looked toward his grandfather to see which one of us was telling the truth, and Blake shook his head. Brock laughed and winked at me. “That’s what I thought. Our little Ember would spend all her time in the garden if we let her.”

This time, the growl that rumbled up Dawson’s chest was deeper and more threatening. I stood and dusted the dirt from my hands before reaching out for him. “No need to get all riled up. I’m sure Brock didn’t realize how that would sound to you.”

“He’s an unmated male not of your bloodline.” Dawson speared Brock with a look that couldn’t be mistaken for anything but the warning that it was. “He doesn’t need to speak as though you’re his.”

“It’s a wonder that you’ve survived this long, Brock.” Blake heaved a deep sigh. “Ember’s consort is a dragon shifter. You should know better than to say anything that would make him feel as though you’re challenging their bond.”

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