Page 34 of Buck Wild Orc Cowboy (Brides of the Lonesome Creek Orcs #3)

Holly

A fter dinner, the air outside still held a bit of warmth from the day, though the sun had dipped low enough to shoot layers of pink and lavender across the sky.

Max stood on the edge of the open area, tipping on the balls of his feet, dressed in the beat-up sneakers and jeans we reserved for training sessions.

Sel stood beside him. The bandage I’d neatly wrapped over his wound shone brightly in the dimming light. He insisted the burn didn’t hurt, but I’d fussed over him anyway, making dinner and cleaning up with Max while Sel sat at the kitchen table, his arm resting on the surface.

I came out of the house in my own training clothes after going to the bathroom, rolling my shoulders back as I joined them.

My limbs felt looser these days. Stronger.

That soft, saggy feeling I used to carry after long days of working in a tiny kitchen had been replaced with something solid.

I could feel it in the way I stood, my feet shoulder-width apart and my hands ready for action.

Sel looked over at me with a smile that curled through my belly like a warm spoon dipped in honey. “Max is doing fantastic. Want to try?” He stepped out into the middle of the clearing to join me.

“Bring it, big guy.”

Max laughed, and Sel's grin widened. We’d come to this rhythm naturally, Sel showing us moves, Max soaking them up, me doing my best not to trip over my own feet. But I didn’t trip anymore. I’d stopped hesitating too. It was time to kick it up with a hint of teasing, right?

We started with the basics, moving through a few drills I could almost do in my sleep.

Block. Sidestep. Duck. Then he came at me a little harder, though still gentle, but faster than before.

I moved with him, turning into the motion instead of flinching away.

My arm came up to block a mock blow to my shoulder, my other hand darting out to tap his ribs.

He stepped back, his brows lifting in pleasant surprise. “That would’ve hurt.”

“Good,” I said, a little breathless. “I want to be as good as you with this.”

“That’ll take a while, but you’re getting there.”

“That was good, Mom,” Max called out.

Sel smiled, pride shining on his face. “You’re really good.”

I flushed. “It’s your teaching.”

“It's your work,” he said firmly. “You’re strong, Holly. You just needed to be reminded of that.”

The way he looked at me sometimes made me forget how to breathe. As if I was more than I saw in the mirror, someone worth protecting and building up. Not because I was broken, but because he could see the flames of my soul flickering underneath the ashes.

“My turn?” Max asked, and with a nod my way, Sel pivoted toward him, slowing everything down enough to keep it fun without losing our purpose.

I sat on the cool grass, my arms draped around my bent knees, watching my son move with confidence I’d never seen before in his life.

He’d always acted brave, but it felt like a facade. He was also healing.

“You’re doing great.” Sel nudged Max’s shoulder with his knuckles, and Max did the same with Sel, though he had to jump up to do it. “Your footwork is improving every day.”

Max beamed. “I think I can take a real punch now. Do you want to try?”

“No, thank you,” I cut in. “Let’s not get carried away.”

They both laughed, and Max gave Sel a look that made something tug deep in my chest. Admiration. Trust. Affection. My orc boss had slipped into our lives so seamlessly it was like he was meant to be here all along.

We wrapped up not long after that, the light fading fast and the sky turning indigo.

I rubbed Max’s arm. “Go wash up. You were basically rolling in the grass.”

He made a face. “It’s called tactical evasion, Mom.”

“Uh-huh. Inside, soldier. Take a shower, please.”

He groaned but jogged toward the house, his limbs long and lanky. He looked over his shoulder once, and I could see the spark of joy in his eyes. Not only from the training, but from the life we were starting to build here in Lonesome Creek with Sel.

Sel came to stand beside me, quiet for a moment as we both watched Max turn on the lights through the windows.

“He’s a good youngling,” Sel said softly. “Anyone would be proud to claim him.”

Would Sel? My son needed someone like this orc in his life.

“He’s been through so much. I still don’t know how he turned out so sweet and kind.”

“You,” Sel said. “He’s kind and sweet because you are.”

My throat went tight. I turned to face him. Dusk painted everything in golds and blues. The lines of strength on his face, his tusks, and that ever-present warmth in his eyes. He was more beautiful than anyone I’d ever seen.

“You’re good with him,” I said. “You never talk down to him. You listen.”

“He deserves that.”

We fell into step beside each other, walking slowly along the sorhox fence. Most of the creatures inside lay in the grass, a few still grazing with their tails swishing. One let out a low, contented sigh, and Sel smiled.

“I like this time of night,” he said.

“Me too. It’s like the world exhales.”

He nodded, his gaze trained ahead. “Today was a good day.”

“Despite your burn?”

“That’s a little thing when compared to this.” His arm swept out to encompass the world.

“You deserve good days.” Every single one should be perfect.

He looked down at me, and whatever was between us stretched taut. His eyes dipped to my mouth and back to my eyes again, and I knew if I asked, he would kiss me. Right here. Right now. But I didn’t want only that. Not anymore.

“I’ve been thinking.” I stopped and leaned against the fence. “About how you’ve been sleeping in the hayloft.”

Sel blinked, straightening. “I like being nearby in case you or Max needed anything.”

“I know.” My heart was galloping now, but I didn’t back down. If there was ever a time to speak of something like this, it was now. “And I’ve appreciated that more than I can say. But…”

His eyes searched mine. “But?”

“I think you need to sleep in your own bed.”

A long pause followed. His expression didn’t change right away. Then a flicker of confusion flashed through his eyes, followed by disappointment. “Of course. We can find you and Max a new place to stay. It doesn’t need to be at the hotel or anything?—”

“No.” I stepped right up to him, close enough to feel his breath stir against my cheek. “That’s not what I meant.”

He froze.

“I mean you need to sleep in your bed with me. If you, um, want something like that.”

He stared at me, stunned, before realization dawned like the sun rising over this incredibly gorgeous valley. His features shifted from caution to joy.

“You’re sure?” he rasped, his heart in his voice.

“I want this, Sel. I want you. Not just as someone who protects us or makes us laugh or bakes the best orc pastries on the planet. I want you in my life. In my bed. In my heart.” My voice trembled. “If you’ll have me.”

He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. He just reached out, taking my hand.

And then he dropped to his knees in front of me.