Dragon's Touch (Book 1 Linty Dragon Series) Read Online Free

ever got caught between his teeth when he ate? My stomach acted all squirrelly at the mere thought of it.
    With a smile, I asked, “I take it Mr. Smythe called to let you know Gran has passed away?”
    He gave me a nod. “Indeed. He thought it wise to notify all of us that she’d been taken to the hospital and had expired this morning. I’m surprised you arrived so quickly from Boston.”
    He’d known I was in Boston? How would he know that? Had Smythe told him, and why? 
    As though he read my mind, Charles continued. “Smythe said you’d been asked to return home. I suppose it’s a bit much to think your father would accompany you, isn’t it?”
    Annoyed at his question and the tone of his voice, my own attitude kicked in. “Just as your wife isn’t able to be here immediately, neither is my father.” I gave Uncle Charles a cool stare. “He’ll be in attendance for the funeral.”
    With a mild grunt, Uncle Charles glanced into his teacup, sipped, slurped, and then remarked, “I’m sure he wouldn’t want to miss the reading of the will.”
    “As I’m sure you and Aunt Elizabeth wouldn’t. Where are you staying, by the way?”
    His calculating gaze traveled the room and left me positive that he’d never stay in this house if I had anything to do with it. The estate was mine, and mine alone to care for. If this man thought for one second he would clean the place out and walk away, he could think again. Why I even considered his doing so was a mystery, but somehow my life was growing increasingly weirder by the moment. It suddenly occurred to me that I’d made an unconscious decision to maintain the estate as Gran had wanted.
    I glanced at Drake, whose eyes gave off a slight glow. Even at this distance, he emanated power and strength. I shook my head slightly at the foolish thought. Not so ridiculous, Linty. You are the only one to take over. I stiffened and focused on the dragon, his golden eyes became a little brighter, or maybe my imagination had gone wild. I blinked hard and glanced away, then turned to my uncle.
    “Are you all right?” Uncle Charles asked.
    “Of course, why do you ask?”
    “You seemed far away, lost in thought. I know you and Mother were close. I suppose this must be extremely difficult for you.”
    “I would just like to be alone for a while, I guess. I have jet lag, I didn’t sleep on the plane to and from Boston, and then I rushed here from Aberdeen Airport. It was an exhausting trip actually.”
    “Sure, that’s understandable. I’ll be at Sutter’s Inn on Cairn Road until the funeral is over and Mother’s estate is settled. Do you plan to remain here until all is set?” he asked with keen interest in his eyes.
    “Gran would have wanted me to. I’m loath to leave the house empty now that she’s no longer here.” My breath caught in my throat. Gran was truly gone forever, except she’d always be in my heart.
    When I looked up, Uncle Charles had risen from the sofa. He openly admired the dragons encased in the cabinet, and my heart hardened when a cold and greedy expression crossed his features. I was surprised he didn’t express a cha-ching sound as he mentally tallied the worth of Gran’s antiques and her dragons. The dragons were wonderful, yet fearsome, creatures that had been handed down through generations with the stipulation that they never be sold, destroyed, or given away. I wouldn’t break the dragon-keeper chain for anything in the world. These were now my dragons, I adored every one of them, and had my entire life, especially Drake.
    I walked toward the collection, listened to Uncle Charles explain how each dragon had been acquired, and even though I already knew how we’d come by the magnificent creatures, I let him ramble on. When he hadn’t explained their history, but only spoke of their acquisition, I was about to ask if he knew each dragon’s background when we’d reached Drake. Suddenly, Uncle Charles took a cautious step back and visibly