Free Resurrecting Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 13) by Julia Mills Page A

home safe and sound but ya’ never know with this crew.”
    “What was that about ‘this crew’?” Rian asked with his arm around Audrey and a goofy grin on his face.
    With any luck that’ll be me in a few short hours...
    “I was just taking attendance.” Rory winked at his oldest brother then leaned down to hug Audrey. “And how the hell are you? Sorry, it’s taken me so long to get around to a proper introduction.”
    Kissing his cheek and whispering, “Thank you,” in his ear before leaning back into Rian’s arm, Audrey said, “I’m glad to see you up and about. I was worried.”
    He could hear the teasing in her voice and appreciated the gleam in her eye. Audrey was perfect for Rian. So much so that Rory decided to give them a little respite before merciless embarrassment for at least a day or two.
    “Ya’ got lucky there, bro. She’s a keeper,” Rory spoke directly into his oldest brother’s mind, not even bothering to shield their conversation from Audrey.
    “Don’t I know it,” Rian answered while placing a kiss on the top of Audrey’s head.
    “I’m thinking I did pretty well myself,” Audrey added with a chuckle.
    Rory threw back his head and roared with laughter at Audrey’s cheeky response just as Kellan appeared at his side with a beer in his hand.
    “Thanks, Kell.” Taking a long draw on his Tennant’s Super, Rory added, “Just what the doctor ordered.”
    “I have no recollection whatsoever of telling you to drink beer,” Calysta teased as she tried to keep from smiling while poking him in the shoulder.
    “Are you sure?” The youngest O’Reilly brother chuckled, hugging and thanking her again for all she’d done to help him.
    Making his way to the kitchen, Rory thanked everybody and took a good amount of ribbing from his brethren for getting bit and ‘lying about for four days’ before he finally made it to Kyra and the food. “Hey sis, what’s up?”
    Sneaking a chicken wing and scarfing it down while the little witch’s back was turned, Rory almost spit out his food when Kyra said, “Don’t think I’m fooled Rory O’Reilly. I know you’re just here for the food...and I saw that,” as she was pulling platters of food out of his refrigerator.
    Struggling to swallow and ignoring Kyra as she slapped at his hands while he reached over her shoulder to grab a sandwich, he asked, “When the hell did you have time to make all these goodies?” 
    “Mom and Audrey helped and if you promise not to give them a hard time, I’ll let you in on a little secret.”
    Nodding with his mouth full, Rory winked as Kyra added, “All of this was Kell’s idea. He and Lenn made almost everything but the chicken wings and pizza. Well, and Mom’s famous chocolate cake, Audrey’s apple pie, and my peach cobbler.”
    “Damn, those boys have skills,” he grinned as he grabbed a piece of pepperoni pizza and swerved just in time to miss Kyra’s elbow as it was headed for his midsection.
    “Stop eating all the food,” she growled, opening the last pizza box and swatting him with a kitchen towel. Leaning closer, she asked conspiratorially, “Roy talk to you?”
    “Yes, he did,” Royce answered from just behind Rory’s shoulder. “And I’ll thank you to not be telling secrets with my brother, mate.”
    “Busted!” Rory teased as he scooted out from between his brother and the little witch.
    “Don’t you ‘mate’ me, Royce O’Reilly,” Kyra growled in a low grumbly voice, imitating her mate.
    Leaving them alone, Rory headed back into the family room and announced, “Y’all better get in there before Roy eats all the food.”
    “Why I oughta...” Royce yelled from the other room while everyone else headed toward the kitchen.
    Needing a moment alone and figuring while everyone was eating was the best time, Rory headed out to the patio. Standing on the deck, staring at the sun setting between the mountains in the distance, he once again checked on Claire. She was still