Page 25 of The Last Bachelor Dragon (Mysteries of Dragon’s Island #8)

Max stood watching the children scampering around the beach, smiling at their laughter and squeals of happiness. “This was a great idea,” Nora said, sliding up next to him and taking his hand. “They’re all having so much fun.”

He smiled down at her and gently caressed her baby bump. “And soon there will be one more to add to the chaos,” he said. “I think we should make this a tradition, get everyone together once a year. The kids barely know each other, and the oldest is almost ten.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” she said. “And that will give the adults time to catch up, too.”

Looking at his friends gathered around a table, he sighed with happiness. “I don’t know what I did to deserve all this, but I sure am grateful,” he said. We have the perfect life, and I’ll always be grateful for everything I have.”

“I love you, Max,” Nora said, looking up at him. “I wish everyone could be as happy as we are.”

“I love you too, Nora,” he said, pulling her into his arms and lowering his mouth to hers, feeling the passion between them flare to life. “Should we give the island a little more power before we join our friends? We could sneak off for a few minutes, and no one would miss us.”

“Maxwell St. Clair, control yourself,” she said, grinning up at him. “There will be plenty of time for that later.”

“Are you two coming? The food is getting cold,” Theo called. “We’re going to start without you if you don’t hurry.”

They took their places at the table for sixteen, and Max knew the island was feeding off their joy and happiness, storing energy for the next time they needed it. He smiled at the people gathered around him. They might not be a normal family, but there was so much love around the table that what they had might even be better, and he looked forward to what the next ten years would bring them all .