Page 16 of One Night with Her Grumpy Orc (Toothsome Monster Romance #3)

2 nd Epilogue

Brann

“G ood rescue today, crew,” I say as I leave my search and rescue crew to cleanup and put away our gear. Everyone mumbles their agreement, but they’re all focused on getting out of here. We all love Search and Rescue, but sometimes, on the first sunny day we’ve had in what feels like months, folks just want to hang out and fire up the grill rather than traverse half the island to save the dumb teenagers who got themselves lost.

It’s too beautiful out to do paperwork, so I leave it in a neat stack on my desk for tomorrow and head out. Tomorrow is perfect for paperwork. There’s a new employee starting in the morning, so I’ll have lots of downtime. I need to buy oil for my motorcycle andget it cleaned up after a long winter of storage. But first, coffee.

Moonlit Grounds Café and Bakery bustles. Ravena has umbrellas set up on the patio, and every table is full. Everyone is soaking up the good spring weather.

Standing in line, there’s a pigtailed little girl weaving in and out of the line, giggling every time someone makes eye contact with her. I purposefully avoid eye contact. Though she doesn’t seem afraid of various orcs, trolls, and the demon sheriff Draugr in front of me, I am certain that when she looks at me, she’ll burst into tears. And I have no interest in apologizing for my orcness.

However, that doesn’t stop her from using my legs as part of her obstacle course, zig zagging around me like I’m a lamp post. She smells like little kid—innocence, sugar, and vanilla. Or maybe that’s just the café around me.

A voice sings out, “Lucy, lemonade!” and the girl squeaks in delight and runs off. It’s a little early for tourists. Not that I know every kid in town, but I’m pretty sure I would remember the black curly hair and chubby cheeks of the kid...Lucy. I don’t like kids, but she fits the definition of adorable.

“Brann! Out for a rescue today?” Ravena asks, welcoming me, eyes twinkling in delight like she’s missed me. Before I can order, she’s listed it for me. “Double Americano and a slice of chocolate cake.” She doesn’t ask. I nod, grunting my thanks.

I squish myself into the smallest table in the back, away from the overly friendly people and the group of teenagers that walked in behind me. I’ve had enough teenagers to last me the year. The group we rescued acted like we were stomping on their parade, even though they were cold, hungry, thirsty, and decidedly scared at anything moving in the forest (squirrels are particularly fierce here).

The first sip of coffee is perfection. Bitter and hot. There’s a hint of spice there, I can’t quite place it. I’m halfway through my slice of cake and coffee when I see the most scrumptious creature I’ve ever seen. Black curly hair that frames her smiling face and bright eyes. Curves and muscles that speak of a strength that moves beyond the physical. She’s got curvy hips, and thighs I’d love to sink myself into.

It’s like waking after a long sleep, opening my eyes to a vision sent from heaven. I take another sip of coffee, trying to distract myself from the funny feeling in my chest. Must be the spice in the coffee. I’ll have to tell Ravena not to add it again. The woman has to be a tourist, I’ve never seen her before. She’s young, too young for someone my age.

Unlike most of my kind, I’m not here for love. I love my job. I love my freedom. I have no inclination to “settle down,” or be chained to someone, unable to do what I want when I want. The myth of fated mates is just that—a myth.

I’m on my feet before I can really think through what I’m going to say. Halfway to her, I freeze. She spins toward me, something heavy in her strong arms. The little girl with the pigtails.

They both laugh, clearly at some shared joke or moment. Then the woman puts the little girl on her hip and kisses her cheek. The little girl gives the biggest grin to her and sets her chubby hand on the woman’s chest, on the sweet spot where her two breasts come together.

It takes my breath away—the unfettered joy between them, the openness they share. The love. They have to be mother and daughter.

Gods damnit. I got myself psyched up for a good time and now I’m circling back to my table. Scoop up my plate and cup and take it back to Ravena’s counter. There’s a sour feeling in my stomach.

“Ravena, I think your milk’s turned. Something isn’t right.” The look Ravena gives me as I set my dishes down is one of anger but also amusement.

“Is that so? I’m sorry to hear that. Especially since you didn’t have any dairy in your coffee.” There’s a slight smirk to her face as she froths milk for some other schmuck. “Maybe it’s something intrinsic to you.” The words are pointed. They hit hard. There’s a rumble of anger in my chest that threatens to come out. But I’m not interested in fighting with Ravena, and therefore the entirety of the town who adore her.

“Thanks. See you later,” is all I say as I walk out of the café.

Beyond all the noise of people chatting, the laughter of Lucy and her beautiful mom follows me outside and down the sidewalk.