Page 24 of Falling for the Grumpy Orc (Monsters of Saltford Bay #1)

Chapter Nineteen

Gerralt

If I was a braver man, I would bare my teeth and snarl at Bernice, but I'm not an idiot and I don't put it past my grandmother to pull my earlobe right out of my head if I so much as growl in her direction.

She may look like a sweet old lady, but I know the truth. Bernice is a terrifying force of nature and I’m not fool enough to provoke her ire.

"Well, well, what a lovely surprise." Her amber eyes twinkle with unbearable satisfaction as her shrewd gaze rakes over me, then goes to rest on Cassidy, still wearing only my t-shirt over her naked body.

A fact I know my grandmother has noticed as soon as the door opened.

In a moment of irritation, I wonder who in town has enough eyes and ears to spy on Cassidy all the way over here? Then I know.

Ugh. Evelyn Primrose is really getting on my last nerves with her gossiping.

“I’m just here to drop off some produce from my garden for our newest town resident,” Bernice lies through her tusks as she stands on the threshold, a basket of fresh vegetables cradled in her arms. “But it looks like I've stumbled upon something far more delicious than a bushel of tomatoes.”

Cassidy wraps her hands around the hem of my t-shirt and stands still, like a deer caught in headlights. A rosy flush blooms across her cheeks as she clutches the fabric, her wide hazel eyes darting to me and Bernice.

"Your timing is impeccable as always, Gran," I mutter, voice dripping with sarcasm.

She winks at me. "I've always had a gift for showing up exactly when I'm least expected. Must be that sixth sense your grandfather always accused me of having."

"Or a complete disregard for privacy," I counter, but my words lack any real bite.

"Privacy?" She snorts. "In our family? That's rich coming from the boy who used to burst into my bathroom to show me his latest rock collection."

I rub a hand over my face, already resigned to whatever mischief Gran has in store.

Nothing I can do about it now. I should have seen it coming.

"Gran," I say gruffly, stepping aside to introduce her to Cassidy. " This is—"

"Cassidy Perkins," Cassidy interrupts, recovering from her momentary muteness. She extends a hand, her natural warmth bubbling through any lingering awkwardness. "It's so nice to meet you, Mrs. Banesman. Please come inside."

Bernice's face breaks into a pleased grin as she pushes her basket into my chest. I grab it instinctively and follow them both to the kitchen, resigned to allow Bernice to do whatever she came here to do. Not that I have a real choice in the matter.

"Oh, call me Bernice, dear. Or Gran, like this one does." She pats my arm, the gesture both affectionate and condescending. She turns back to Cassidy, looking her over as if appraising her like one of my handcrafted chairs. Checking for sturdiness, character.

The ability to withstand a little wear and tear. Probably.

Cassidy, to her credit, meets Bernice's scrutiny with an easy smile.

There's a momentary pause as the two women size each other up, a silent conversation happening between them that I can't quite decipher.

Then Bernice's eyes crinkle at the corners, and she reaches out to pat Cassidy's cheek with surprising tenderness.

"Well now," she says, her voice warm with approval. "Aren't you just exactly what I hoped you'd be."

The tension in Cassidy's shoulders visibly melts away at Bernice's words, as though she's passed some unspoken test. Her smile grows more genuine, the kind that reaches her eyes and transforms her entire face.

"I've heard a lot about you," Cassidy says, tucking a stray wisp of auburn hair behind her ear. "Gerralt always speaks highly of you."

I grunt, folding my arms, but I can't deny the truth of it .

Bernice clasps her hands together, looking far too pleased when a soft meow interrupts her. Her eyes immediately light up as Marigold trots into the kitchen, tail high and green eyes inquisitive.

"Oh! There she is!" Bernice exclaims, bending down with surprising agility for her age. "Come here, precious girl."

Marigold, the traitor, goes straight to my grandmother, rubbing against her outstretched hand and purring like a motorboat.

Cassidy's jaw drops slightly. "She's never that friendly with anyone. She barely started being friendly with me!"

"Oh, we understand each other, don’t we, beautiful?

" Bernice coos, scratching under Marigold's chin. "Gerralt came to see me about your little stray problem a few days ago. It seems like he learned his lesson on the proper way to win over a skittish female. I’d say he learned fast, didn’t you, dear boy? "

Bernice lifts her brow in a way that cannot be interpreted as anything else but suggestive, and I feel heat creeping up my neck as Cassidy turns to me with surprise written across her face. It’s clear by the expression on her face that she didn’t catch Bernice’s double entendre.

But I did.

"So you're the reason Marigold finally came inside?" Cassidy asks, something warm in her eyes that makes my chest tighten. “I don’t even know where to begin to thank you! I was so afraid something terrible was going to happen to her. Now she’s safe and sound, thanks to you.”

Before I can respond, Bernice scoops Marigold up, examining her with experienced hands. The cat melts into her touch, purring even louder.

"What a beautiful little lady you are," Bernice keeps on cooing, her fingers finding exactly the right spot behind Marigold's ears.

The cat stretches her neck in obvious pleasure, a purr rumbling from her tiny frame that seems impossibly loud.

"Healthy coat, bright eyes. Someone's been taking good care of you. "

I watch as my grandmother expertly handles the cat, those same weathered hands that bandaged my scraped knees now gently stroking all over Marigold's slim body. The feline goes limp in blissful surrender, completely won over.

"I've had seventeen cats in my lifetime, you know," Bernice continues fondly. "Each one special in their own way. This little one has quite the personality, I can tell."

A few moments later, and with a satisfied nod, Bernice sets Marigold gently back on the floor before turning her attention back to us. The cat lingers at her feet, rubbing against her ankles as if they've been friends for years.

"Well, it’s a good thing I came this morning," Bernice says, her voice taking on that particular tone I've dreaded since childhood, the one that means she's figured something out and is about to make everyone uncomfortable.

And love every second of it. Her amber eyes, so like my own, sparkle with mischief as she looks between Cassidy and me.

"It seems a certain little lady has been quite busy in the sheets, if I may be so bold. "

Cassidy's face instantly flames red and her mouth opens in a comical O.

"Gran," I chide, my voice low. "This is totally out of line, even for you!"

"What’s out of line?" she asks with such fake innocence I almost believe she’s sincere. Almost .

Bernice blinks innocently, pointing to Marigold, still lingering around her legs. "Your little lady here is expecting. I'd say about four weeks along, maybe five."

"Expecting?" Cassidy echoes faintly, then understanding dawns. "Oh! Marigold is going to have kittens!"

"Of course," Bernice says, her eyes twinkling with mischief as she sets them on me. "What did you think I meant?"

Cassidy laughs nervously, pressing a hand to her cheek. "Nothing. I just… didn't realize she was pregnant."

"Oh yes." Bernice nods, then gives the cat a warm glance. "She's got that glow about her. I'd say you'll have kittens running around in about a month. We'll need to prepare a nice, comfortable birthing box for her. Then I’ll help you find good families for the lot."

"I had no idea," Cassidy murmurs, watching Marigold with new eyes.

Bernice clasps her hands together, looking far too pleased.

"Well, I'm glad we've finally met, considering the amount of time my grandson spends with you. And the amount of time he’s going to keep spending with you."

Cassidy's blush deepens, but she only laughs, brushing past the implication with the same effortless charm she seems to apply to everything.

"I've been keeping him busy for sure." Cassidy casts a playful look my way. "I quite enjoy bossing him around."

"Oh, I have no doubt he gave you a fair share of trouble in that department." Bernice chuckles. "He's had a stubborn streak since he was in diapers. "

I sigh, knowing this conversation is only going to veer further out of my control.

"Gran, what brings you here, really?"

"As it happens, I could use an extra pair of hands at my herbal stall for the festival this weekend." She waves a hand, feigning innocence. Bernice’s gaze shifts between Cassidy and me, one brow quirking up.

I groan. "Gran."

"And you two lovebirds would make a wonderful team. Maybe even gather enough attention to beat Mrs. Goffin’s little pie stand. That one needs to be taken down a peg or two since winning the contest last year."

I frown, not buying a word of it.

“What about Mrs. Cromby? The old witch is always your partner in the herbal remedy stand,” I point out, crossing my arms over my chest, then glancing at Cassidy.

“She’s a literal witch, it’s not an insult.” I add. “She and Bernice make the best herbal remedies in the whole county.”

Bernice scoffs and purses her lips in an obviously displeased pout.

"Mrs. Cromby usually helps me, but she had to rush out of town yesterday.

Her sister broke her ankle during the New Moon ritual.

" Bernice clicks her tongue and shakes her head.

"Apparently, they were dancing around a bonfire, and poor Edith tripped over the cauldron.

So now Mrs. Cromby's gone to help her recover. "

I raise an eyebrow. "And you couldn't find anyone in town?"

"I looked," Bernice answers with a smug smile, "and I found two perfectly capable, beautiful young people standing right in front of me. "

"Oh, I'd love to help!" Cassidy brightens. "The festival sounds like so much fun. And I would love to meet everyone. I’ve barely had time to step into town since moving in."

"Excellent!" Bernice claps her hands together before I can mount any kind of protest. "I knew I could count on Cassidy to be agreeable. Now, as for you, my dear boy…" She tilts her head, giving me that same look she's given me all my life when she knows she's about to win.

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "You're not going to let me say no, are you?"

Bernice beams. "Now, how could an old lady like myself make a big, strong orc like you do anything you don't want to do?"

I cast Cassidy a sidelong glance, and she smirks at me. I’m smart enough to know when I’m outnumbered and overpowered.

"I don't know, Gerralt," she teases. "It seems like you're up against a formidable opponent. Might as well accept defeat."

Bernice chuckles as she reaches again to pat Cassidy on the cheek. "Smart girl. You should listen to her, Gerralt."

I grumble under my breath, but there's no real heat to it. I was never going to win this one, and we all know it.

As Bernice and Cassidy settle in quiet conversation about the upcoming arrival of Marigold’s kitten, I can’t help but wonder.

When did I become so… domesticated?

And why does it feel so good?