Page 58 of Fake Dating an Orc Cowboy

Greel’s face darkened, and he grunted.

“What woman wouldn’t want to meet one of my nephews?” Aunt Inla asked. “We’re setting things up, and we’ll rope in whoever is willing.”

Lil chuckled and nudged Inla with her elbow. “I do love using cowboy lingo, don’t you, partner?”

“It’s mighty fine,” Inla said. “Darn near perfect.” With a hand on her hip, she cocked an eyebrow at Ostor. “You’ve done well for yourself, nephew. A human bride, and a pretty one. When’s the wedding?”

“We haven’t picked a date yet,” I said.

Jessi’s smile widened. “I’ll help with the plans. I mean . . . if you’d like help.”

“I’d love that.” I could already tell I was going to love it here in Lonesome Creek. “I’ll reach out soon. I’m making a list.”

Ostor ducked his head, the tips of his ears twitching. “The wedding will be soon, Auntie.” We’d agreed on that. “I won’t risk her changing her mind.”

I snorted. “As if.”

“Smart boy.” Inla patted his cheek, her tusks glinting in the late-day sunlight as she turned her attention back to me. “And you are one smart cake yourself.”

“Cookie,” Lil said with a snort. “It’s one smart cookie.”

“Cake. Cookie. Whatever.” Inla grinned as she delivered the same stroke of her thumb to my cheek. “I can already see that you’re good for him, sweetness. His heart’s pure fymsom.”

Their version of gold.

I leaned into his side. “I see that already.”

“Alright, then.” Aunt Inla clapped her hands. “Back to work, younglings. There's still much to do to get ready for our grand opening. Perhaps . . .” Frowning, she tapped her chin. “I wouldn’t normally suggest such a thing, but what would you two think of holding your marriage right here in town as part of one of the attractions?”

“We’ll discuss it,” Ostor said, glancing down at me.

I nodded. My wedding a performance for the crowd? I wasn’t sure what I thought about that idea. We hadn’t talked about what kind of ceremony we wanted. Orcs didn’t hold formal weddings like humans. A mating mark was the same as a wedding band to them.

The guys gave me sweet smiles before sauntering away, returning to whatever they were doing before we arrived.

“I’ll be in touch,” Jessi said over her shoulder as she and Grannie Lil strode back to the general store.

Greel watched Jessi before sighing and hurrying over to leap onto the back of a sorhox.

Aunt Inla stayed with us. “Take Rosey home and show her how an orc treats his new mate.” Taking my hand, she kissed the symbol of our love. Leave it to Ostor to wait to tell me about what the mark meant while kneeling in front of me at the airport. Although, it might’ve softened the blow I thought he’d deliver if I knew he already considered us married.

“Are you ready to go home, little one?” he asked me.

At my nod, he tipped his head back and released a guttural whoop, whoop, whoop sound.

The ground vibrated, and I spun toward the oncoming noise.

A minivan-sized sorhox thundered around the barn and rushed toward us, its cloven hooves pounding on the dirt, each hoof tipped with three forearm-long claws. Its spiked tail whipped and curled above its enormous body, sharp enough toslice through anything that got in its way. Its nostrils flared as it snorted, releasing a cloud of steam, and two massive fangs jutted from either side of its upper jaw. Thick horns spiraled away from the sides of its head; their sharp tips perfect for gouging through whatever obstacle dared cross its path.

The beast slowed as it drew near, coming to a halt beside Ostor. It lowered its head and nudged him hard enough to make his cowboy hat flop sideways.

“This,” Ostor said, using one hand to grab onto the beast’s horn-like ridge thrusting out from its brow. “Is Balo, my sorhox. Rosey, meet Balo.”

“Balo?” My voice came out higher than usual as I stared up at the beast, its massive eyes dark green and oddly intelligent as it snorted at me like a dragon waiting to blast something with fire.

“He won’t hurt you,” Ostor said. “Not now that he knows you’re mine.”

“Are you sure about that?” My knees knocked together, and I wasn't sure if I should stay put or bolt as far from Balo as possible. Seeing one at a distance was one thing. Touching it was something completely different.

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