Dragon's Heart [Dragon Love 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read online

  Jumper will be there. But not Penny.

  Grief swallowed her, but she struggled back. Time didn’t heal all wounds, but, hopefully, time would ease a little of the pain.

  “It’ll get better.” Hank took her hand, guessing at what she’d been thinking.

  A knock startled her. She’d almost forgotten where they were. “Come in.”

  Dr. Friedland opened the door and peeked around the edge. “I don’t mean to intrude, but you do remember you’re in a hospital, right?” Still, a small smiled played over his mouth. “It’s nice to see you’re feeling well, Cinda.”

  She yanked the cover over her nakedness. “Oh my God. I don’t know what to say. Except that I’m so embarrassed.” She giggled then whispered, “But it was worth it.”

  In reality, she wasn’t embarrassed at all. The nurses and doctors had to have known what they’d been doing. How could they not have heard them? It was obvious that Dr. Friedland knew what had gone on. Yet, she wasn’t embarrassed at all. Instead, pride filled her. How many other women had three men who loved them?

  The older gentleman eased into the room, holding a clipboard as he usually did. The gray at his temples gave him a distinguished appearance she’d always liked. The men made room, backing away from her bed.

  “It was her idea, Doc.”

  She gaped at Grant. “Way to throw me under the bus.” She glanced at the doctor. “Even if it is true.”

  “Don’t worry about it. You wouldn’t believe the things I’ve seen.” Dr. Friedland waved his hand in the air and shot the men a stern look. “Was someone smoking?”

  The four of them clammed up, simply shaking their heads in answer.

  “Is it all right to discuss your condition with these gentlemen?”

  “Anything you can say to me, you can say to them.” Why did his question make her so nervous?

  Clearing his throat, Dr. Friedland got down to business. “Anyway, are you still feeling a queasy like you were this morning?”

  “Wait. You’re not feeling well?” Hank asked the question, but the other two men gathered around, just as concerned.

  “I had a little stomach issues this morning. Nothing major. Right, Doc?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “Yes? What do you mean?” Could she withstand any more bad news? Had she accepted the men’s proposal too soon? How could she stick them with a sick fiancée?

  “Cinda, we talked about what you can and can’t do.”

  “I remember.”

  “And if you remember, we said carrying a baby to full term would be dangerous for you.”

  She stared at him, unable to process what he was saying. “I remember. Why?”

  “Doctor, are you telling us what I think you’re telling us?” Walken held her hand as though he was afraid she’d float away.

  “I am. Cinda, I’m not sure congratulations are in order, but you’re pregnant.”

  A silence followed the doctor’s pronouncement. Then, suddenly, the men burst into cheers. Grant lifted the nurse and spun her around.

  “This is terrific news, Doc.” Hank grabbed the doctor’s hand and shook it vigorously.

  Dr. Friedland tugged his hand free. “I don’t think you people understand what this means. A pregnancy with her heart could cause major complications. Even, perhaps, death.”

  “No, it won’t.” Tears filled her eyes. She’d never be able to explain it to the doctor, but she didn’t care. If the child was a dragon or even a hybrid, she’d be healed. If the child was human, she’d pray that she could carry it to full term. Even if she died giving birth, she’d have given the men she loved a precious gift.

  Walken pulled her against him. “You can’t tell him,” he whispered.

  “I know.”

  “I’ll call the ranch and let them know.” Hank was already punching in the number. “We have to get started turning one of the rooms into a nursery.”

  “Don’t you understand what I’m saying?” insisted the doctor. “What this could mean for your health?”

  She felt sorry for Dr. Friedland. How could he ever understand? “You’re going to have to trust me. This is the best news I could have ever gotten. Thank you so much.”

  He shook his head, bewildered by their reactions. “We’ll talk again on Monday at your appointment. As for now, you’re free to go.” He pointed at her, warning her. “But take it easy.”

  “I will. Thanks again.”

  They were still celebrating when the perplexed doctor and the nurse left.

  “Are you ready to go home, little mamma?” Grant snagged her hand and pressed a sweet kiss into her palm.

  “I sure am.” She drew in a long, slow breath, feeling better than she had in years. “Take me home.”

  Epilogue

  Cinda couldn’t get into the house fast enough. Although she could still remember a time when the short, hard dash would’ve left her breathless, it felt like a distant memory. “Is she asleep?”

  “Snoring like a trucker.” Grant followed her out of the hallway, up the stairs, and into the baby’s nursery.

  Walken sat in the rocker, a contented and peaceful expression lighting his face. Hank looked up from gazing adoringly at his child lying in the crib. She’d found him in the same spot many times before.

  Their baby.

  She didn’t care who the actual father was. As far as she and her men were concerned, they were all the baby’s fathers.

  I’m a lucky woman.

  Three hunks of men had taken her life and turned it from upside down to right-side up again. They were as rugged and masculine as any men she’d ever known, yet one tiny baby could wrap them around her little fingers.

  “Are we taking you flying tonight?” asked Hank.

  “Are Bertram and Pop back?” They’d sent the recently married couple to the Bahamas as a wedding present but also as a way to repay them for all their help. Although they’d offered to throw them an extravagant wedding, the two men had opted for a quiet ceremony with only Hank, Grant, Walken, and Cinda attending. “If not, we could ask her Auntie Kiley to babysit.” Much to her surprise, Kiley had taken to being the child’s honorary aunt and loved staying with her niece.

  “The guys are back and they’re itching to babysit.” Hank pulled her close as she leaned over the railing of the crib.

  “I still can’t believe she’s ours.” She couldn’t ask for anything more. As far as she was concerned, she was blessed.

  “Is the doctor running more tests, or does he finally believe what his eyes are telling him?” Walken joined them by the crib.

  “I think he finally gets it. He’s calling Penny a miracle baby and me the miracle mom. I think he wants to write us up in a medical journal or something.” Not only had Dr. Friedland been amazed at how healthy she’d become during her pregnancy, he’d been stunned when the defect in her heart had mysteriously disappeared.

  “He’s right. He just doesn’t know how she’s a miracle.”

  They’d hoped the baby would share its dragon’s healing ability with her, at least while pregnant, but they’d been almost too afraid to hope her heart would stay healthy after the baby was born. And yet, it had.

  “He’s still giving me hell for having a home delivery.” They couldn’t have the baby at the hospital. Too many tests would reveal their daughter’s secret. As they’d hoped, she’d been born a full dragoness.

  She rested her hand on Grant’s arm and, as always, felt the spark of lust zip through her. “Think she’ll stay down for a while?”

  “What do you have in mind, darlin’?”

  “Well, if your hearts can stand it, I’ll race you to our bedroom. I have a few new tricks I’d like to try out.”

  “Tricks, huh?” Grant pushed her toward the door. “Then get going, darlin’.”

  THE END

  WWW.JANEJAMISON.COM

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jane Jamison has always liked “weird stuff” as her mother called it. From an early age she was f
ascinated with stories about werewolves, vampires, space, aliens, and whatever was hiding in her bedroom closet. To this day, she still swears she can hear growls and moans whenever the lights are out.

  Being born under the sign of Scorpio meant Jane was destined to be very sensual. Some would say she was, and remains, downright sexual. Then one day she put her two favorite things together on paper and found her life’s true ambition—to be an erotic paranormal romance author.

  Jane spends her days in her office surrounded by the characters she loves. Often a new character will knock on the door of her imagination and spark the idea for another book.

  Her future includes traveling, learning the art of photography, traveling, and writing more books. Thanks to her loving husband, she continues to turn her dreams into realities.

  For all titles by Jane Jamison, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/jane-jamison

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com