Page 11 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast (Sweet Monster Treats)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

P osy really didn’t want to discuss her past, but Varek had opened up to her. She owed it to him to answer his question.

“I needed a fresh start.” She took a deep breath. “My ex-husband was a lawyer. Very successful, very charming. And apparently very good at hiding things.”

He made a low growling sound, but gestured for her to go on.

“I found out he’d been having an affair with his paralegal for months. She was pregnant, even though he’d told me he didn’t want to have children.” She dug her nails into her palms to combat the pain of that memory. “He didn’t even try to apologize. He just said that I should understand his position.”

Varek’s jaw clenched, his tusks gleaming in the firelight.

“The worst part wasn’t even the betrayal. It was realizing how blind I’d been. How I’d ignored my own unhappiness because I wanted so badly to believe in our perfect life.” She forced her hands to relax. “But you know what? Getting divorced was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“How so?” His voice was rough, but gentle.

“It made me stop trying to be what everyone else wanted. Fortunately, one of his ex-partners agreed to represent me and he did an excellent job on my behalf. I used part of the divorce settlement to buy Second Chance.” She shook her head. “I’d always loved vintage things, the stories behind them. My ex thought it was silly. But here I am, doing what I love.”

“Why Fairhaven Falls specifically?”

“I researched small towns that needed businesses. When I saw the listing for the shop, something just clicked. Plus I liked the fact that there were more Others than humans here. It felt like a place where being different wasn’t just tolerated, but celebrated.”

His expression hardened. “Except when it’s not.”

“Well, those people are wrong.” She reached across the table and touched his hand again. “Everyone deserves a second chance. Even grumpy orcs who make essential oils in the woods.”

The firelight played across his face, softening the hard lines, but he didn’t seem convinced by her words.

“Have you ever thought about leaving?” she asked gently. “Starting fresh somewhere else?”

“No. This is my home.” The words burst from him with surprising force, and his eyes widened, as if the admission had shocked him as much as her.

Her heart ached for him. Despite everything the town had put him through, despite withdrawing to the woods, he still considered this place his home. She recognized that bone-deep connection - it was what she’d been searching for her whole life.

“I mean…” He cleared his throat. “The greenhouse, my cabin… I built everything there myself.”

“Even the cabin? It looks as if it’s been there for years.”

“Even that. My dad spent most of his money acquiring the land so all he could afford was a trailer. I was just a kid - it seemed fine to me - but he kept saying he was going to build us a cabin one day. He died before he could do it.”

“And you carried out his wish.”

He stared at her, those amber eyes filled with an emotion she couldn’t quite read. The fire popped, sending sparks dancing into the night air. Time stretched out between them for an endless moment before she returned to the original topic.

“I suppose I can understand not wanting to leave your friends and family behind. It was easier in my case because most of my friends were the wives of Larry’s business associates and I knew they’d side with him. Plus my mom and dad had already moved to Florida so they weren’t keeping me there either.”

“But I don’t have-” he began.

“Yes, you do.” She cut him off, earning a startled blink. “Flora cares about you so much she practically dragged you out of the woods. Grondar was angry on your behalf at the auction. And even Rona made sure to give us a private spot where you’d be comfortable.”

His jaw worked, those impressive tusks catching the firelight as he stared down at the table.

“People care about you, even if you try to push them away.” She reached across the table, letting her fingers brush his forearm, his skin was warm despite the cold evening. “Maybe they’re just waiting for you to let them show it.”

He looked up at last, his eyes filled with confusion and something that looked like hope before he quickly masked it.

“They shouldn’t,” he muttered, but he didn’t pull away from her touch.

“Why not?” She traced a small pattern on his skin. “Because of what happened years ago? The person you are now grows healing herbs and makes essential oils. That doesn’t sound like someone people shouldn’t care about.”

His expression turned vulnerable for a split second before he covered it with his usual gruff mask. She bit her lip to keep from pressing further. He needed time to think about what she’d said.

The patio door swung open and Rona emerged carrying two steaming plates. Her mouth watered as Rona placed one in front of her - roasted butternut squash ravioli in a brown butter sauce with fresh sage. It was exactly what she’d been craving without even knowing it.

She glanced over at Varek and found him nodding appreciatively at a plate with a thick venison steak, wild mushrooms, and roasted root vegetables.

“We didn’t even look at the menu,” she said, amazed, and Rona winked.

“Don’t need one, sweetie. My gift is knowing what folks want to eat before they do. Though I gotta say, you two made it easy tonight. Clear appetites, clear hearts.”

Rona gave them a knowing look before heading back inside, and Posy knew she was blushing. Doing her best to ignore it, she picked up her fork, hoping the meal tasted as good as it looked. It did, the first bite melting in her mouth. “Oh, this is perfect.”

He relaxed enough to smile at her blissful expression before he cut into his own meal, the meat perfectly rare.

“She’s always had a knack,” he agreed. “Even when I was younger, although I’m a little surprised she bothered to use it on me. Or that she’s as nice as you pointed out.”

“Why?”

“Remember that wild youth I mentioned? I got into a fight here once and ended up breaking two tables and half a dozen chairs.”

“Here?” She glanced around at the cozy patio, then at the peaceful river, and couldn’t imagine it.

“It was a long time ago. She told me I wasn’t welcome back. I wasn’t surprised, and I never expected to return.”

“I’m sorry.” She couldn’t imagine how much it must have hurt to be turned away by yet another person in the town that was supposed to be your home.

“The ban actually didn’t last that long but then everything else happened.” He shrugged and smiled at her. “Now why don’t we forget about the past and enjoy our meal?”

She laughed and agreed. The food was incredible, and she savored each bite. Varek’s presence across the table felt natural, as if they’d shared meals together before. They talked about some of the hybrid plants he was working on, and then he asked her about her plans for the shop.

She set down her fork and traced the rim of her water glass. “I’ve been thinking about expanding the vintage section of the shop. Maybe adding a lounge area where people could hang out.”

He nodded.

“And maybe host some evening events - craft nights or jewelry making workshops. Something to bring the community together.”

His shoulders immediately tensed

“Not that I’m trying to take over the town or anything,” she added quickly. “I just want to make some friends.” She reached across the table and touched his hand. “Like you.”

His fingers twitched under hers, but he didn’t pull away, and the tension in his shoulders eased slightly.

“Friends? Is that what we are?” His voice was deeper than usual, a husky rumble that sent heat curling through her veins.

Her tongue darted out, moistening her lips, and his gaze focused on the movement. “As long as we’re the kind of friends who can kiss.”

He stared at her, his eyes blazing with heat and hunger, and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

The patio door creaked as it opened and they both jumped, startled by the sound. Rona gathered up their empty plates and promised to return. As the waitress left, an icy breeze swept across the patio, and Posy shivered despite her warm coat. She tried to hide it, not wanting to cut their evening short, but he’d caught the slight tremor.

He shifted in his seat, hesitating for a moment before coming to her side of the table, moving as carefully as if he were approaching a wild animal, then settled on the bench next to her. His arm hovered uncertainly behind her shoulders before slowly coming to rest around her. Heat radiated from his body, chasing away the cold. She smiled and leaned into his solid warmth, breathing in the lingering smell of his herbs mingled with his own spicy scent.

Rona reappeared with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and what looked like homemade marshmallows. She set them down without comment, but Posy caught the hint of approval in her expression before she disappeared back inside.

“This is perfect,” Posy murmured, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. She felt Varek relax slightly, his thumb tracing small circles on her shoulder.

The fire crackled, sending sparks dancing into the night sky. Across the river, lights twinkled in windows, and the moon cast silver ribbons on the water’s surface. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so content.