Page 24 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

He shifted in his seat as the memories of that time crashed over him like an icy wave - the sneers, the whispers, the way mothers pulled their children close when he passed. The familiar combination of anger and shame filled his chest, but then a small, warm hand squeezed his, jolting him back to the present. When he snuck a quick peek at her, expecting disgust or even fear but instead her expression blazed with righteous anger.

“That’s completely unfair. They just assumed you were guilty without any proof? And they’re still treating you like this years later?”

He blinked, thrown by her reaction. He’d expected her to make excuses to leave, not defend him. “It’s what people do.”

“Well, it’s wrong.” Color flushed her cheeks as she leaned forward. “You were trying to help someone. They should have stood by you, not pushed you away.”

The fierce protectiveness in her voice made his heart stutter. No one except Flora had ever taken his side like this. He stared at their joined hands, at how perfectly her smaller one fit in his.

“You’re not…” He cleared his throat. “You’re not worried about being seen with me now that you know?”

“The only thing I’m worried about is how badly this town treated you.” She gave his hand another squeeze. “And I don’t care what anyone thinks.”

The warmth of her touch spread through his body, melting something that had been frozen for a long time. He wanted to believe her, wanted to trust that she meant what she said. But years of isolation made hope feel dangerous.

Pushing it aside to consider later, he turned the tables.

“Why did you come to Fairhaven Falls?”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Posy really didn’t want to discuss her past, but Varek had opened up to her. She owed it to him to answer his question.

“I needed a fresh start.” She took a deep breath. “My ex-husband was a lawyer. Very successful, very charming. And apparently very good at hiding things.”

He made a low growling sound, but gestured for her to go on.

“I found out he’d been having an affair with his paralegal for months. She was pregnant, even though he’d told me he didn’t want to have children.” She dug her nails into her palms to combat the pain of that memory. “He didn’t even try to apologize. He just said that I should understand his position.”

Varek’s jaw clenched, his tusks gleaming in the firelight.

“The worst part wasn’t even the betrayal. It was realizing how blind I’d been. How I’d ignored my own unhappiness because I wanted so badly to believe in our perfect life.” She forced her hands to relax. “But you know what? Getting divorced was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“How so?” His voice was rough, but gentle.

“It made me stop trying to be what everyone else wanted. Fortunately, one of his ex-partners agreed to represent me and he did an excellent job on my behalf. I used part of the divorce settlement to buy Second Chance.” She shook her head. “I’d always loved vintage things, the stories behind them. My ex thought it was silly. But here I am, doing what I love.”

“Why Fairhaven Falls specifically?”

“I researched small towns that needed businesses. When I saw the listing for the shop, something just clicked. Plus I liked the fact that there were more Others than humans here. It felt like a place where being different wasn’t just tolerated, but celebrated.”

His expression hardened. “Except when it’s not.”

“Well, those people are wrong.” She reached across the table and touched his hand again. “Everyone deserves a second chance. Even grumpy orcs who make essential oils in the woods.”

The firelight played across his face, softening the hard lines, but he didn’t seem convinced by her words.

“Have you ever thought about leaving?” she asked gently. “Starting fresh somewhere else?”

“No. This is my home.” The words burst from him with surprising force, and his eyes widened, as if the admission had shocked him as much as her.

Her heart ached for him. Despite everything the town had put him through, despite withdrawing to the woods, he still considered this place his home. She recognized that bone-deep connection - it was what she’d been searching for her whole life.

“I mean…” He cleared his throat. “The greenhouse, my cabin… I built everything there myself.”

“Even the cabin? It looks as if it’s been there for years.”

“Even that. My dad spent most of his money acquiring the land so all he could afford was a trailer. I was just a kid - it seemed fine to me - but he kept saying he was going to build us a cabin one day. He died before he could do it.”

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