Page 9 of The Dragon's Surprise
Unlike a lot of other people, she’d gone into this job with her eyes wide open. Her sister was a few years older, and so Lexi had been in high school when she’d first learned about the dragon orphan side of things and had volunteered. Even though she’d thought about joining ADDA, there were never enough people helping with DOCS, especially since the pay was worse.
However, as a kid who had been abandoned herself, she didn’t care if she made a little less money. Every child who was formally adopted and found a forever home was something she couldn’t put a price on.
And as she watched Ethan have another turn, she wished she had a better read on Kyle Baker. Even in his human form, she’d had trouble pinning him down and usually she was a good judge of character. At least when it came to how people viewed and treated children.
Jenny’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “This is the most relaxed I’ve seen Kyle since I arrived.”
She looked at the other woman, pouncing on the chance to find out more about the dragon doctor. “So he’s usually the buttoned up, grumpy fellow from earlier?”
“Not always grumpy. But to be fair, he had a difficult surgery earlier today. One of the Protectors got injured by some human assholes, and he almost couldn’t save him.”
“But he did?”
Jenny bobbed her head. “Yes. He’s an amazing doctor, especially with surgeries. Although, given his past…”
The other woman clamped her jaw tight, and Lexi asked, “What about his past?”
“No, I shouldn’t have mentioned it. You’ll have to ask him. But I think he likes you, so getting him to talk shouldn’t be that hard.”
She barked out a laugh. “Likes me? Why in the world would you say that? He’s been nothing but dismissive since I arrived.”
“He let you slide down his dragon.”
“But that was just to help Ethan.”
Jenny shrugged. “If you say so. Although here comes the boy.”
Ethan skidded to a halt in front of them, his eyes bright with happiness. “That was really fun! Maybe I can do it again later? I only went three times. But my dragon liked it. He hummed for the first time in my mind!”
Lexi smiled at him. “I’m glad. And as soon as we settle in, we have an appointment at the school, and they should be able to help you get along even more. And don’t worry, everyone will be gone by then, so you don’t have to face the other kids just yet. However, I thought you might want to meet your teachers.”
Ethan’s happiness faded a little. “But I don’t know anything about being a dragon-shifter. The other kids will make fun of me.”
He glanced down, and Lexi squatted and stayed down until he finally met her eyes. “They’ll teach you things slowly, okay? And you’re the second older kid who’s become a part of Clan MirrorPeak in the last few years, so the teachers know what todo. It’ll be all right, I promise.” He still didn’t say anything, so she added, “I’m human, and learned a lot about dragon-shifters over the years, but not all. Maybe I can sit with you for the first private lesson, where it’s just you, me, and the teacher? That way, we can learn together.”
Ethan bobbed his head. “That sounds good.”
She stood and took Ethan’s hand. “Now, should we go and see where we’re staying? It’s supposed to be near a playground, one we can check out later, if you like?”
“I like swings, if they have some.”
Jenny spoke up. “Yep, there are swings, and even a tire swing. I like the tire swing myself. Well, when I’m not pregnant. And I can bring my niece to come play too, as she’s about the same age and really nice and friendly. She’s the daughter of my mate’s brother, if that makes sense?”
Ethan frowned. “Not really.”
Jenny snorted. “Well, all you need to know is that she likes the swings, too. You could even have a competition to see who goes higher. Well, as long as you don’t go too high. But you know what I mean. Do you want to meet her later?”
“Okay,” Ethan said softly.
Jenny took Ethan’s other hand. “Well, then let’s get a move on. You still have a lot to do before you can play, and I definitely need a nap.”
As Jenny kept chatting to Ethan, they walked away from the landing area. However, Lexi looked over her shoulder to see Kyle’s dragon watching them. And once he finally disappeared from sight, hidden behind the wall surrounding the landing area, she pushed aside regrets at not getting to see him shift back into his human form.
Although she refused to think too much about why she was disappointed.
Chapter Four
Kyle knew he should stop by the clinic and check on things instead of heading home. While MirrorPeak would be getting a new trainee doctor in the next few months, she would need a lot of supervision before he could think of taking any time off.
