Page 4 of The Orc’s Sweetheart (Creatures & Cottages)

Chapter 4

Bodin

I t’s a beautifully mild day. The sun sparkles on the ocean’s surface and a gentle wind stirs the treetops as I round the last corner of the hill, a faint floral scent prickling my senses. In the distance, I can make out the shape of Beck’s boat approaching the island, a wide wake of white trailing behind it before dissipating into the blue waters of Indigo Bay.

A feminine laugh drifts across the ocean, crashing into me like a wave meeting the shore, and I almost smile in reply. Thoughts of wondering if her face matches the brightness of her laugh skitter through my mind for a couple of seconds before I catch myself. My feelings about city creatures are complex, but I’ll try to give the new nurse a chance. If only for Ma’s sake.

I can only hope she doesn’t prove Ma’s “good feeling” wrong.

My cart’s wheels rattle across the wooden dock and I frown as a strange nervousness scratches at the nape of my neck.

“Yes,” Beck says, his voice now clear as they near the dock. “Our buildings might be old, but we’ve tried to keep things updated over the years. Oh, that’s him over there.” Beck points at me, and just to be sure, I look behind me to see if I might have missed someone. “He’s responsible for most of our upkeep. Bodin is Starry Hill’s caretaker and very good at his job.”

I’m not sure what they were talking about, but I fucking hope she’s not already judging the old buildings for not being up to her city standards.

I swallow down my frustration and lift my hand in greeting as they pull up next to the dock. And like we’ve done numerous times before, Beck throws me the ropes and I tie them to the cleats, trying my best not to sneak looks at Tilly as he assists her with disembarking.

I’m glad I waited because the sight of her makes me grateful that I’m already on my knees. My eyes trail up the tight jeans clinging to her thick thighs and round hips, the sliver of smooth skin spilling over her waistband, and the frilly white top dipping between a pair of luscious tits. A body I can dig my fingers into without worrying that it might break, and skin that looks so silky, my tusks ache with a desire to mark it up.

Her face is what has me standing up and reaching out a callused palm as if my brain has no control over my limbs. Pushing her sunglasses on top of her head, warm brown eyes greet me with a hint of what I assume are nerves pulling at the corners of her mouth.

Tilly places a slightly clammy hand in mine, and my fingers automatically wrap around her entire hand as she says, “Hi, I’m Matilda Williams. I’m the new nurse practitioner.”

“Bodin Terral.” Why is my voice suddenly so deep? “Starry Hill’s caretaker.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Bodin. Please call me Tilly.” Why didn’t she just introduce herself as Tilly then?

I glance over at Beck who studies us with a tilt to his head like he’s trying to figure something out and I drop Tilly’s hand. His eyebrows arch high and his gaze bounces from me to Tilly, then he frowns and turns back to the boat to begin unloading.

Wordlessly, I step forward to help him unload the luggage.

“Can I help with something?” Tilly asks sweetly. My eyes flick to her as she gathers her windswept hair, bringing the chestnut-brown locks over one shoulder to finger comb them. The sight of her unmarked neck has me thinking the oddest thoughts and I frown at myself, annoyed at where my hindbrain is taking me.

Why do I find this city creature so attractive? This is highly inconvenient.

Beck answers before I can say something stupid. “It will go faster if we unload the boat ourselves, since we’re stronger.”

“Of course,” Tilly says with a note of discomfort in her voice that makes my scowl deepen.

Why is she having such an effect on me? Like somehow my own happiness depends on her happiness. That’s not right. I’m an independent male, in charge of my own damn feelings. And none of these feelings need to be concerned with some city slicker who’ll probably hate life on the quiet island.

Still…

Beck says, “It was nice to meet you, Tilly. Bodin will show you the way to your cottage. I live in the old mill over there. You can come for tea sometime if you like.”

“I’d really like that. Thank you, Beck. For the ride and the invitation.”

Tilly and I watch Beck walk off for a while, the silence stretching to a near uncomfortable point before we both speak at the same time.

“Should we get—” Tilly starts.

“Do you want—” My voice overlaps with Tilly’s and we both pause. She chuckles awkwardly and indicates for me to speak.

I hope she was not trying to dictate what I should do. I call on every ounce of kindness and patience remaining in my body, and channel them into the question. “Do you want to walk through town or go the short way behind the hill?”

“Whatever’s most comfortable for you. I don’t want to put you out.”

I clear my throat and try again. “I know both ways like the back of my hand. You’re the newcomer. Your choice.”

“Oh, uhm…” Tilly searches my face and tucks her bottom lip between her teeth as she seemingly wars with herself. “If you don’t mind, I’d love to get a peek at the town before unpacking at the cottage.”

“Done.”

I hitch the cart up and Tilly looks down the narrow dock then back at me. She walks ahead of me before changing her mind and slowing down to walk alongside the cart, but the dock isn’t wide enough for both of us to walk side by side. Apparently, she comes to the same conclusion and her cheeks turn ruddy as she moves to walk in front of the cart again. She hurries off the dock, and stumbles on the small step onto the cobbled path.

Her arms flail in front of her before she rights herself and looks at me with wide eyes and a blush creeping down her neck to the top of her tits. I flick my gaze back up to her worried eyes and hurry toward her.

“Are you okay?” Despite my misgivings about Tilly, I won’t enjoy seeing her hurt.

“Can we pretend you didn’t see that?”

“See what?” I deadpan.

“How I—? Oh. Good.”

“When you’re ready to walk again, take the road leading west,” I instruct.

“West?” Judging by her furrowed brows, Tilly doesn’t know how to tell direction.

I sigh out, “The one going to the right.”

I follow behind her and we walk in stilted silence for way too long. Ma’s voice rings through my head and I summon a thread of kindness once more.

“You could walk next to the cart now, if you want to?” I offer. “The path is wide enough here for both of us.” This way, I won’t get annoyed at having to explain directions again at the next fork in the road. And if you walk next to me, I don’t have to stare at your ass bouncing as you walk, or get any improper thoughts of grabbing a handful.

Tilly smiles back at me with gratitude and slows down. The floral smell is stronger now, and I realize it must’ve been her I’ve been scenting on the wind. I ignore the strangeness of someone from the city smelling so… fragrant, and attempt to start up a conversation instead.

“So, you’re a nurse. Is that something you’ve always wanted to be?” Why did I have to ask such a personal question? I wouldn’t want her to ask me if I’ve always wanted to be a cottage caretaker.

“You could say that. How about you? Always wanted to live on the island and take care of the cottages?”

Fuck. I did this to myself. “You could say that.”

Silence blankets us again and a couple of times Tilly turns in my direction with her mouth open, looking like she’s about to ask me something before she purses her lips and faces forward again.

I don’t have it in me to try any harder though. The chances that Tilly and I have anything in common are pretty slim, and I’ve already attempted to be nice. The painfully awkward atmosphere sticks with us until the main part of town comes into view.

Tilly speeds up and walks in front of the cart as she takes in the collection of old limestone buildings nestled against the hill.

One cannot help but be charmed by the sight of my hometown. Gray, brown, and cream-colored shops sit staggered against the green backdrop of our highest hill that the island is named after. Vines of vibrant flowers snake across their facades and bring color to the otherwise muted tones of the scene.

“Wow.” Tilly’s voice is a reverent whisper, and she stops dead in her tracks .

I try to brake in time so we don’t collide, but the cart’s momentum is too strong with the weight of all her luggage. One way or another, someone’s getting hurt.

Dropping the handles, I jump forward to cushion Tilly from the collision. My arms wrap around her as the cart’s handles dig into the ground and it skids to a halt behind us, sending a box careening off the front and slamming into me.

I grunt as it hits me, my body pushing into Tilly’s. The sound of something shattering upon impact has Tilly shrinking against me and my grip inadvertently tightens around her.

When the dust settles, I release her and she steps out of my arms. My concern that I might have had for her is trumped by my annoyance at her lack of disregard for me.

“What were you thinking?! Why did you have to stop so suddenly—in the middle of the road? Did you forget someone was behind you, or simply didn’t care?”

Tilly raises her hands in mock surrender. “I’m so sorry. This view!” She sweeps her arm before her. “My feet literally stopped on their own.”

City creatures really are the same everywhere. They only care for themselves. There’s no way she’ll be a good fit for our community where we look out for each other.

I scoff, my question coming out more like a statement. “So the view was more important than my safety? Good to know.”

Shaking her head furiously, Tilly places a hand on my forearm. “Not at all. That’s not what I meant. I’m truly sorry. Can I check you for injuries? It sounded like something fell against you. Oh no!” Tilly looks behind me and I turn around to see what she’s looking at.

She lets go of my arm and falls to her knees next to a box lying on its side, seemingly forgetting my existence once again.

I take a step back, folding my arms across my chest as I watch her open the box. She unfolds the newspaper to reveal a plate broken in half. She lifts two more out, one completely shattered and the other seemingly unscathed. Only then does she remember me.

“Except for one shattered plate that I’ll have to throw away, the others seem okay or at the very least salvageable,” Tilly says with bright relief, her material possessions obviously her only priority.

Shaking my head, I say, “Do I need to take a number if I’m injured? Am I to be seen to after your precious plates?”

“No! That’s not— I’m not—” Tilly struggles coming up with an excuse just as Beryl jogs toward us, most likely having heard the commotion from her shop.

“Hi, little brother. You guys okay over here?” Beryl asks, looking between me and Tilly, who is still kneeling on the ground next to a box. Why Beryl insists on calling me “little brother” when she’s only seven minutes older than me, still baffles my mind.

I can appreciate that this doesn’t paint a good picture with me standing here with my arms crossed and looking pissed off, and Tilly all doe-eyed on the ground. But I hope Beryl will understand the situation and see that this was all Tilly’s doing.

“You must be our new nurse. Let me help you up. The gods only know what my brother has done to get you on your knees on your first day. ”

“What?” I ask in utter disbelief as Beryl reaches out a hand for Tilly. “I protected her from being crushed by those boxes.”

Beryl ignores me and bends down to dust Tilly’s knees off for her. Another apology appears in Tilly’s eyes but I shake my head at her. Something hardens in her gaze and she looks away from me and focuses her attention on Beryl.

“I’m the new nurse, yes. A clumsy mess of a human. I’m so sorry. This is not the first impression I wanted to make on the town. I had grand ideas, which seem utterly wasted now.”

Beryl straightens and places a hand on Tilly’s shoulder. “Well, new nurse, no one but me saw this. And don’t worry about Bodin, we can pretend he’s not here. He’s the quiet sort, so he won’t be spreading rumors about whatever happened or didn’t happen.” She narrows her eyes at me to emphasize her point. “Let’s get you settled at home, and tomorrow morning you can walk into town like it’s your actual first day and make that first impression you intended.”

“Really?” Tilly asks breathily. “That is an absolutely splendid idea. Can we be best friends?”

Beryl holds out her hand. “Beryl, Starry Hill’s resident hairdresser and new best friend to…”

Tilly places her small hand in Beryl’s. “Tilly, Starry Hill’s newest resident and Beryl’s best friend.”

“Welcome to Starry Hill, Tilly. We are very happy to have you here. Stop by anytime at The Viny Shears. I’d love to play with these silky locks. They’re the most beautiful… Is it mahogany? Chocolate?”

I blurt out, “Chestnut.” Fuck, why did I have to say anything? That was not meant to be audible .

Both females turn their heads in slow motion to look at me, and I quickly busy myself with repacking the cart and pretend my cheeks aren’t burning with embarrassment. The smirk on Beryl’s face tells me that I’ll be teased mercilessly when we’re alone. I’m already thinking up numerous excuses to not see her for the foreseeable future.

“Bodin,” Beryl says sweetly. “Can you manage to get Tilly home safely? And not be a dick about it? Or would that be too difficult for you? I have a client coming in soon, or else I’d offer to help Tilly myself.”

Shaking her head, Tilly says, “Oh, that’s okay. Just point me in the right direction and I can do it myself.”

“That’s sweet of you to suggest,” Beryl says, helping me rearrange the luggage in a more secure configuration, “but I highly doubt you’d be able to manage this cart over the next crest. And you’d probably have to carry these bags down the narrow path through the garden in front of the cottage.”

Tilly grabs Beryl’s hand, a dopey smile lighting up her face. “There’s a garden?”

Beryl grins back indulgently, and their easy camaraderie has me balling my fists.

How can they be so chummy after only two minutes in each other’s company? Maybe Beryl needs more time to see that Tilly won’t be good for our town.

“A very pretty garden. It’s well kept by—” I shoot Beryl a look to stop her rambling, because Tilly doesn’t need to know that I used to live there.

“I’ll take her,” I interject flatly .

Tilly looks at me like the thought of spending more time with me would be excruciating. “You’ve done so much already. I don’t want to trouble you any further.”

I chuckle at her comment, there’s no way she’s strong enough to pull the cart all the way to her cottage. “Well then, go ahead, sweetheart. The cart is all yours.”

Disapproval radiates off Beryl, but Tilly juts her chin forward and positions herself between the handles. It must be uncomfortable for her because I built that cart with my size in mind, but determination burns in Tilly’s eyes. We watch on as she hitches the wagon up, straining under the weight.

Through clenched teeth, she asks, “Which way to my cottage?”

Beryl stands next to her and gestures the directions. “Walk back down this path, and at the fork turn east. Follow the trail around Kraken Cove, be sure the ocean is always on your right. You’ll spot your cottage as you come over a small hill. Yours is a pale sandstone cottage with a yellow door.”

“A yellow door?” Tilly almost drops the handles, and my hand shoots forward, but she recovers quickly, tightening her grip.

Beryl nods. “Yes, pale butter yellow. Every cottage has a door with a different color. Mine matches my wife’s eyes—dark topaz.”

“That’s lovely. I’m looking forward to meeting your wife.”

“You’ll meet her tomorrow. Her shop is right next to mine. She runs The Horned Pearl. She does nail and horn care. Scales too. Anything beauty related actually. ”

“Amazing. Well, I better be going. It was a pleasure to meet you.” Tilly looks directly at me, her eyes not quite matching the warmth in her voice. “Both of you. Thank you for all your help, Bodin. See you around.”

I sigh as Tilly struggles up the incline in her impractical backless loafers, but she wanted to do this, so I’m going to sit back and let her.

When she’s out of human earshot, Beryl elbows me in my side. “What the fuck is wrong with you? You going to let her pull that thing all the way to the cottage? She’s probably going to end up with blisters on her dainty hands, and a sore back, and a myriad of other things. You’re an asshole, you know that, right?”

I throw my hands up in indignation. “She’s the one who caused the accident in the first place. She didn’t even spare a thought for how close I was behind her and that I couldn’t safely stop the cart.”

“Or it could’ve just been an accident. But you’ve made your mind up about her, haven’t you? To you, Tilly represents every bad creature in Cape Easton. But mark my words, little brother, you’re wrong and your prejudice is going to keep you from getting to know a genuinely nice creature.”

“How do you even know she’s nice?” I counter, watching the spot where Tilly disappeared from sight.

“Because she was just nice to me! And Ma told me about her and said she had a good feeling. And I trust Ma’s feelings. As do you, but apparently this time you know better. I’m going to enjoy watching you eat your words as Tilly proves you wrong. You might just fall in love with a Cape Easton girl. Ha! Now that would be funny, wouldn’t it?”

I don’t even try to reply. I just press my temple against the shaved side of Beryl’s head, then silently trail behind Tilly as she huffs and puffs her way toward the cottage. I’ll stay out of sight then grab the cart once she’s given up. I ought to let Tilly handle everything herself, but I gave my word to Ma.