Fighting For Her Dragon Read Online Free PDF

his own pain, but hers, and how to keep her safe once he realized what was happening. The one that still had goodness in him.
    Sam’s hand on her knee drew Emma’s attention. “I know you think you need to be alone and I’m not saying you don’t need to grieve but, Emma, you have to stop shutting out the world. It’s not good for you.”
    Emma knew if she opened her mouth she would scream until she collapsed in a pile of grieving woman, so she opted for silence and refused to meet Sam’s gaze. It was bad enough Emma could feel the worry pouring off her friend; there was no way she could stand to see the pity in her eyes.
    Minutes ticked by while Sydney went from channel to channel looking for My Little Pony and Sam sat silently, patiently waiting for Emma to respond. Needing to move, to escape the scrutiny, Emma headed to the kitchen. “I’m making hot chocolate. Anyone want some?”
    “Me, please,” Sydney called.
    “Sounds good,” Sam answered.
    The sound of the chair scuffing across the tile floor told Emma that Sam had followed her into the kitchen. Unable to hold back any longer, she turned, leaned against the counter, and folded her arms across her chest. “What exactly did you hope to accomplish by coming here today? I mean, I’m sure you know everyone else has been calling and texting and dropping by. It’s obvious I don’t want to talk. So why? Why are you here?”
    Emma knew she was yelling by the time she stopped to take a breath. She even felt a tinge of guilt when she looked and saw Sydney standing in the doorway, but she’d had enough. The bullshit needed to stop.
    “We came because you need us,” Sydney answered.
    Emma looked back at the child, shocked it had been her that had answered. “I need you? What makes you think that I need you?”
    “Because you loved him and he died and now you’re sad. I can feel your sadness.” The child touched the tips of her fingers to her own chest just above her heart, reminding Emma that she was no ordinary seven year old. The child’s ‘special powers’, whatever they were, were getting stronger. Something that she’d heard was happening all over the lair since the traitor’s arrival.
    Sydney’s words cracked the first layer of the wall Emma had been expertly constructing around her feelings. Unwilling to feel anything but anger while her uninvited guests remained, Emma spun around and grabbed three mugs from the cupboard. It was only a few minutes until she was carrying the cocoa and the tube of Oreos she’d found on the counter to the small café table in the middle of her kitchen.
    “This is yummy, Emma, thanks,” Sydney giggled. “I really like the mini marshmallows.”
    “You’re welcome, Syd. Why don’t you take your hot chocolate and cookies to the couch and watch your cartoons?”
    “Can I, Mom?”
    “Sure, sweetheart. Emma said it’s okay.”
    Emma watched as the little sweetheart carefully made her way into the living room and was immediately engrossed in the TV. Praying Sam would just sit in silence and knowing her prayer was most definitely going to go unanswered, Emma still cringed when the young doctor spoke.
    “How about a compromise? You go wash your face and brush your hair so I don’t have to lie when Siobhan asks if you’re taking care of yourself. Then I’ll make us a light lunch and watch you take two bites so I don’t have to lie to any of the guys, my pushy ass husband included, then Syd and I will get outta your hair. Deal?”
    Emma shook her head and sighed before looking up to find Sam smiling with a look of hope on her face. Knowing when she was beaten, Emma stood with mug in hand, nodded, and headed to the bathroom. She had to admit she needed more than a sink bath. It had been at least five days since she showered if you counted the day she spent in the clinic arguing that she was well enough to go home.
    Grabbing a towel, she took a quick shower, put on clean pajamas, and returned to the kitchen. The