Page 13 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast (Sweet Monster Treats)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

P osy yanked the vintage dress off the mannequin with more force than necessary. The fabric caught on one of the arms and she had to stop herself from ripping it free. Three days. Three whole days of silence after what had felt like such a perfect evening - right up until that awful encounter.

She smoothed the dress, guilt prickling at her rough treatment of the delicate garment. It wasn’t the dress’s fault that Varek had disappeared on her. Or that she kept replaying their dinner in her mind - the way he’d opened up, how his eyes softened when he smiled, the hunger in his kiss.

The bell above the door chimed. Her heart leaped, but it was just Mrs. Henderson coming to browse the costume jewelry display again.

“Morning,” she called out, forcing a cheerfulness she didn’t feel into her voice as she turned back to the window. She draped a peacock-blue party dress on the mannequin. The sequins caught the morning light, sending tiny rainbows dancing across the floor.

She adjusted the dress, then fiercely stabbed pins into the delicate fabric to hold it in place. She was not going to pine after someone who clearly didn’t want to be found. Even if she missed his gruff voice. Even if she caught herself touching her lips, remembering their kisses.

A shadow fell across the window, and her breath caught, but it was just a delivery truck passing by. She slumped against the windows, pressing her forehead to the cool glass. This was ridiculous. She had come to Fairhaven Falls for a fresh start, not to moon over someone who wasn’t willing to take a chance.

She positioned the mannequin in the window, then stepped back to assess the finished display. The peacock dress sparkled between a champagne-colored evening gown and an emerald cocktail number. At least something in her life looked right.

Mrs. Henderson bought two antique brooches and left just as Elara arrived bearing two steaming cups.

“Your window looks amazing.” Elara handed her one of the cups. “That blue dress is perfect for catching people’s attention.”

“Thanks.” She forced a smile as she inhaled the rich aroma of the coffee. “I needed this.”

“So…” Elara perched on the vintage fainting couch near the window. “How was your date with Varek? Flora mentioned that you two had dinner at the cafe.”

Her shoulders slumped. “It was wonderful. Right up until it wasn’t.”

“What happened?”

“This horrible human male showed up with two of his buddies.” Her fingers tightened around the warm cup. “They insulted Varek and he just… shut down. Walked me home and disappeared. That was three days ago.”

“Oh honey. I’m so sorry. I heard there’d been some trouble with Sebastian.”

“It’s just so frustrating. There’s something between us, I know there is.” She blinked hard. “It felt so right, but it’s like that one nasty encounter ruined everything else.”

Elara sighed. “Based on what Grondar told me, Varek’s had it rough.”

“I know. He told me some of it.”

“Did he tell you that Sebastian was the one who accused Varek of hurting him?”

She winced and shook her head. No wonder he’d wanted to get away.

“I know it was a terrible thing that happened to him, but past events don’t have to define you forever. I refuse to let my ex-husband’s betrayal make me afraid to try again. And Varek deserves better than hiding in those woods.”

“The thing is…” Elara twisted a strand of curly blonde hair. “Grondar told me about Varek’s past. His father died in an accident at the lumber mill when Varek was fourteen.”

“He told me his father had died.”

“After that his mother just checked out. Buried herself in grief and alcohol. She left Varek to basically raise himself but he never told anyone. Never asked for help.”

She remembered the careful way Varek tended his greenhouse, the gentle way he’d picked that tiny flower for her. How had he learned such tenderness with no one to show him?

“He got in with a rough crowd for a while. Not because he was bad, but because he was frustrated and angry. But when Sebastian accused Varek of hurting him, a lot of people believed him.”

“Varek was trying to help someone,” she snapped.

“Yes, but the town had already decided what kind of person he was. He made it worse by running off to the woods.”

The coffee turned bitter in Posy’s mouth. No wonder Varek had built such thick walls around himself. Everyone who should have protected him had abandoned him.

“Didn’t anyone help him?”

“Flora tried, but she couldn’t get through to him.”

“What about his mother?”

“She died in a car crash the year before. Grondar says Varek blamed himself. Thought if he’d been a better son, he could have saved her.” Elara reached across and squeezed Posy’s hand. “That’s why he keeps everyone at arm’s length. He’s convinced he doesn’t deserve anything good.”

She stared down at her cooling coffee, her heart aching for Varek. Everything made more sense now - his isolation, his reluctance to let anyone close, the way he’d pulled back after Sebastian’s taunts.

“Do you think I can get through to him?” The question slipped out before she could stop it.

“I don’t know,” Elara admitted. “But I think it’s possible. Grondar didn’t trust human women, but I managed to make him see that we weren’t all alike.”

“How?”

Elara gave her a teasing look. “A lot of kissing helped.”

She laughed, but the memory of Varek’s kiss flashed through her mind. The taste of his mouth, the feel of his body against hers…

“Patience,” Elara said softly. “And don’t let him push you away. If he’s worth the effort, that is.”

“He is.”

“The best ones are worth fighting for.” Elara squeezed her hand again. “And look how far you’ve come already. Getting him to the cafe for the first time in ten years? That’s huge.”

Elara’s words eased some of the hurt from the last few days. She wasn’t giving up on him yet. But first she had to figure out the best way to reach him.

She was still thinking about it after Elara left, idly sorting through a box of antique campaign buttons. The bell above the door chimed and she looked up as Flora waltzed in, wearing a bright orange tracksuit with “Save a Cowboy. Ride a Centaur.” emblazoned across the front in glittering letters.

“Just checking in on my favorite shop owner.” Flora said airily. “How are things going?”

“Fine.” She busied herself straightening a display of vintage brooches, hoping to avoid the conversation she was sure was coming. “The shop’s doing well.”

“And how was your dinner with my godson?”

And there it was. She sighed and gave in to the inevitable.

“I suspect you know exactly how it went. Sebastian showed up and Varek…” She swallowed hard. “He left and I haven’t heard from him since.”

“That boy.” Flora shook her head. “Always running when happiness comes knocking.”

“He’s determined to stay alone in those woods. I understand why, after what he told me and after what Elara told me about his past, but-”

“But you care about him,” Flora said softly. “Despite his best efforts to push you away.”

“Yes.” The admission came out barely above a whisper. “I do.”

“Good.” Flora reached over and patted her cheek. “Because that stubborn boy needs someone who won’t give up on him, even when he’s given up on himself.”

She sighed. “You planned this, didn’t you? The auction, everything?”

“I might have noticed how perfect you two would be together.” Flora’s innocent expression didn’t fool her for a second. “But the connection between you? That’s all your own.”

Flora grinned and headed for the door, then paused to look at the window display.

“You know what this window needs? A few candles to give it that cozy vintage feel.”

Her heart skipped a beat. The candles she’d suggested Varek make - they were the perfect excuse to see him again.

“Thanks, Flora. That’s actually a great idea.”

Flora’s eyes twinkled. “Isn’t it though?”

After Flora left she paced behind the counter, debating. Would showing up at his cabin seem too pushy? But the candle idea was legitimate business. And she refused to let him keep hiding, convinced he didn’t deserve happiness.

She grabbed her coat and flipped the “Back in 30 Minutes” sign on the door. The walk to the cabin took less time than she remembered, and all too soon she reached the solitary clearing. The cabin looked exactly the same - solid and solitary, with smoke curling from the chimney.

She stood there for a long moment, gathering her courage. She hadn’t felt this nervous even when confronting her cheating ex. But this mattered more. Varek mattered more.

“You can do this,” she whispered to herself. “It’s just business.” Even though she knew it wasn’t.

Taking a deep breath, she marched up to his door. Before she could second-guess herself, she knocked firmly. Her heart pounded anxiously as she waited for him to answer.