Page 15 of Bread with the Orc (Harmony Glen #6)

Chapter Thirteen

Laney

The morning of the Harvest Festival dawned crisp and clear, a perfect omen for our day.

Dorvak and I had spent last night working together to hang up fairy lights around our booth and arranging the display cases.

I should mention that I was the one worrying about the decorations, while he was relegated to the heavy lifting.

But I’ll admit that when he went back to his truck to fetch the new Harmony Tea and Treats sign to hang over our booth, I melted all over again.

I mean…how perfect is that?

This morning, I loved the way he sent me secret smiles. Granted, I doubted anyone who didn’t know him would recognize them as smiles , but I did. I’d been sure to show him exactly how much I loved that sign last night, and my thighs were deliciously sore today as a result .

Last week, when he’d told my father and the whole town about our new name—and the fact he loved me—he hadn’t been kidding. I had a week of experience to prove it.

Dorvak loved me, and I loved him, and forever wasn’t just a word.

This year’s Harvest Festival might be the biggest yet, if the crowd was any indication. The art fair was a big draw, and I could see so many people perusing the craft contest entries.

There was the most delicious feeling of excitement in the air, along with woodsmoke from the beach bonfire, the amazing scents from the food trucks, and the sounds of laughter and children shrieking.

Although the sun was bright, I still took the time to light the jack-o’-lantern I’d taught Dorvak to carve the other day, then waved as the hayride trundled past. “You ready?” I called back to my Mate, who was carefully positioning the cute “cauldron” we’d prepped to hold the hot chai.

“No,” he grumbled. “You know I can handle only so much peopling.”

Wasn’t that the truth? I blew him a kiss as our first customers began to ooh and ahh over the pastries and breads in our display cases.

“Then pop back over to the bakery.” Luckily, it was within walking distance.

“Just be back by eleven with another batch of the pastries, and so we can go hear them announce the contest winners.”

My morning was quickly consumed with the excitement of the festival. I was beyond delighted that, for the first time, I was finally able to present my own goods to the people of Harmony Glen. I adored hearing their thoughts on my chai and Dorvak’s tea-based pastries, and their energy just fed mine.

I’ll admit that there was even a moment when I wrapped my arms around my cozy orange sweater and did a little dance in the middle of the booth, much to the delight of the fox-eared children I was serving.

As eleven approached, I found myself craning my neck to spot a familiar orc profile, and when Dorvak did materialize out of the crowd, I gasped. He was carrying a dozen stacked boxes, presumably holding our next round of things to sell, and I jumped to help him.

“Here,” I commanded. “Stack them back here to keep them warm. After the contest announcement, we’ll get them set up.”

“ Nag, nag, nag ,” he sighed, sending me a wink as he did as I instructed.

“Good, good, yes!” I grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. “Come on ! We need a good spot to hear the winners!”

Despite his good-natured grumbling, Dorvak let me pull him through the crowds heading toward the boardwalk. Everyone was going in the same direction, and we weren’t the only ones waiting anxiously to hear the winners of the various contests.

When the finalists for the quilting competition were displayed, I oohed and ahhed with the rest of the town.

And I wasn’t the only one on the edge of my seat as Mayor Whit announced the winners for the craft contest Maggie entered.

“Now, calm down everyone, calm down.” Charles Whitaker was an older man with a twinkle in his eyes. “We have one more set of winners to announce.”

I gripped Dorvak’s hand, knowing what this could mean for our business.

“Now, the Town Council wanted me to personally thank the entrants in the dessert competition, because it meant they got to gorge themselves on the—and I quote— Best tasting desserts we’ve ever had !

” When the crowd erupted in laughter, the mayor held up his hands as he chuckled.

“They told me the competition was fierce, and everyone did a wonderful job of creating a dessert with an autumn theme. But the winner is…”

As we all waited with hushed excitement, the mayor took his time opening the envelope, then peering at the writing.

“Well, here’s an interesting note,” he said into the microphone. “It seems that the judges liked this year’s winner so much, they’re forbidding him from entering next year, and demanding he judge the desserts at next year’s Harvest Festival, since he’s clearly a professional.”

I wasn’t the only one holding my breath as I leaned forward eagerly.

Mayor Whitaker held up the envelope. “With the entry of his Earl Grey Lavender Shortbread, Congratulations to Dorvak from Harmony Tea and Treats!”

My scream was drowned out by the crowd’s roar of approval at that news, and I jumped into my Mate’s arms. He was laughing as he spun me about, and I peppered his face with kisses.

“This is going to be such a boost for the shop!” I announced breathlessly as he swung me to a stop. “You’re going to be famous near and far!”

“I don’t care,” he admitted quietly, smiling at me. “I’m just glad my Mate is proud of me.”

“ So proud,” I murmured, and when I lowered my head to kiss him, I heard more cheers.

I was still buzzing with excitement as we skipped—well, I skipped, Dorvak stomped—back toward our booth. There would be an engraved plaque delivered in a few weeks, and we were discussing where to hang it.

“Right next to the register, where everyone can see it,” I insisted. “They need to know how awesome you are.”

He shook his head. “It would look better to be humble about it. Let’s stick it by the restrooms?—”

I glanced up to see what had caused him to cut off his words, and sucked in a breath when I saw who blocked our path.

My father was never not impeccably dressed, but today he looked older, more frail than he had a week ago. Had he not been sleeping? My heart jumped with worry. “Baba? ”

The hand he held up seemed hesitant, uncertain…unlike my father. “Lan-Yee—” He seemed to catch himself, reconsider, then take a deep breath. “Laney. May I speak…with you both? ”

I gripped Dorvak’s hand. Oh God, what was wrong? What was he going to tell us?

It was my Mate who answered for me. “You can say anything to us right here.”

My father glanced around at the crowd that flowed around us. Then he nodded once and faced us more fully. His chin rose, and even though they were sunken, surrounded by dark circles, I recognized the strength in his eyes.

“Last week, after our…interaction, I couldn’t stop thinking about…

” Another deep breath. “A grandson. I realized I was about to lose my daughter because of my own pride and harsh standards.” He gripped his hands in front of him.

“Your mother would be ashamed of how I treated you.” Dark eyes flicked to Dorvak, then away. “Both of you.”

“Oh, Baba .” I lurched forward, wanting to hug him, but Dorvak pulled me to a stop at the same time my father shuffled backward.

“I have more to say, and you will let me say it, Blossom.”

How long had it been since he’d called me that? My eyes filled with tears, and even though I reached for him, I didn’t move.

But when Father folded his hands in front of him and bowed at the waist, I sucked in a shocked gasp. He was bowing…to me? “ Baba?”

“I was wrong, and I ask for your forgiveness.” When he straightened, he gestured toward their booth.

“This isn’t failure. You have built something that might not make you rich, but will fill your hearts.

It is real , and it matters to people. Your mother loved tea because it brought people together and created harmony.

Your shop does that, and I should not have judged it purely on the money it could make you. ”

I was outright crying now. “I—I forgive you, Baba ,” I sobbed.

With a grunt, Dorvak released my hand, and I flew forward to throw myself at my father. It had been years since we hugged, and his posture was stiff. But when my arms went around his shoulders, he unbent long enough to pat me gently on the back.

Over my shoulder, he met Dorvak’s eyes.

“I am also sorry, Blossom, for disparaging your choice of husband.”

“Mate,” I corrected him, wiping my cheek on his shoulder.

His lips twitched wryly. “Mate, then. I don’t understand your choice, but he is your choice, not mine to make for you.”

I’m not sure why I blurted, “He asked me to marry him.” Maybe I wanted my father to understand that monsters and humans could honor one another’s customs.

Baba nodded in satisfaction. “Then you will have the biggest wedding Harmony Glen has seen.”

I didn’t want that, but I did want my father to be happy, and if throwing an epic party for his business partners would do that, then I would gladly invite my friends. Heck, maybe it would help monster-human relations .

With a deep breath, my father unwrapped my arms from around his neck and moved me to his side.

He lifted his chin and addressed Dorvak while keeping a hand on my back.

“I was wrong to call you the help, when it is clearly you who have helped build such a success. Anyone who defends my daughter like that, who has built a life and a business with her…” He trailed off, his face twisted into a grimace. “I will call son.”

My brows shot up and my gaze snapped to Dorvak’s. Did he realize what a concession that was?

My Mate stood with his arms folded across his chest, his habitual scowl in place. “I’m also the father of your future grandchild.”

Baba ’s nod was more of a head jerk, but it was an agreement. “I want to know my grandchild. I am sorry for the way I treated you.”

And other monsters . My father’s dislike was well-known, but if we could start with just one…

Finally, Dorvak shrugged. “It takes courage to admit you’re wrong. But this is Laney’s choice, not mine. If she wants you in our lives…”

I’ll admit, I was feeling weepy. So my arm went around my father as I thrust out my hand to Dorvak and, with a sob, pulled them both to me. Maybe it ended up with the pair of them being squished a little closer than they’d ever intended to get, but oh well.

When I pulled back from our hug, I stepped to Dorvak’s side. From the way my father eyed our positions, he understood what my unconscious placement meant, and where my loyalty was. He nodded once, and maybe—just maybe—it was in approval.

“You two have much to celebrate today.” My father glanced around once more. “You already have a line at your booth. The town has heard of your success.”

I was beaming, even as I wiped my tears with my palms. “Dorvak is the best baker in the state.”

My Mate, his arm around me, grunted in disagreement. “They’re coming to see you, dkaar . You’re the one who smiles and laughs and welcomes them.”

Yes, I was, wasn’t I? My tea and Dorvak’s pastries…they brought people together.

I smiled softly at my father. “ Ama would be proud.” He’d said that.

And now, he inclined his head—not a bow, but agreement. “She would be proud. Go. Share her love of tea. But maybe next week—or sooner—I could take you out to dinner?”

My smile grew. “I’d like that.”

Dorvak grunted, “Me too.”

And my father nodded in satisfaction before his gaze dropped just briefly to my stomach, then away. He stepped back, allowing us to pass, and as we hurried to our booth, I thought I saw him smile.

“Goodness,” I whispered. “That was…”

“Unexpected,” Dorvak finished, reaching for the XXXL nitrile gloves. “But good. ”

Unexpected, but good . “Yeah.” I slipped my apron over my head. There was no time to focus on my father, not with the line wrapping around our booth. “You ready?”

“You deal with them, I’ll start unpacking these boxes and stock the cases.”

“Deal.” We worked perfectly together, my Mate and me.

With a grin pulling my lips wide, I faced the crowd. “Welcome to Harmony Tea and Treats. What can I get for you?”