Page 30 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

And there it was. She sighed and gave in to the inevitable.

“I suspect you know exactly how it went. Sebastian showed up and Varek…” She swallowed hard. “He left and I haven’t heard from him since.”

“That boy.” Flora shook her head. “Always running when happiness comes knocking.”

“He’s determined to stay alone in those woods. I understand why, after what he told me and after what Elara told me about his past, but-”

“But you care about him,” Flora said softly. “Despite his best efforts to push you away.”

“Yes.” The admission came out barely above a whisper. “I do.”

“Good.” Flora reached over and patted her cheek. “Because that stubborn boy needs someone who won’t give up on him, even when he’s given up on himself.”

She sighed. “You planned this, didn’t you? The auction, everything?”

“I might have noticed how perfect you two would be together.” Flora’s innocent expression didn’t fool her for a second. “But the connection between you? That’s all your own.”

Flora grinned and headed for the door, then paused to look at the window display.

“You know what this window needs? A few candles to give it that cozy vintage feel.”

Her heart skipped a beat. The candles she’d suggested Varek make - they were the perfect excuse to see him again.

“Thanks, Flora. That’s actually a great idea.”

Flora’s eyes twinkled. “Isn’t it though?”

After Flora left she paced behind the counter, debating. Would showing up at his cabin seem too pushy? But the candle idea was legitimate business. And she refused to let him keep hiding, convinced he didn’t deserve happiness.

She grabbed her coat and flipped the “Back in 30 Minutes” sign on the door. The walk to the cabin took less time than she remembered, and all too soon she reached the solitary clearing. The cabin looked exactly the same - solid and solitary, with smoke curling from the chimney.

She stood there for a long moment, gathering her courage. She hadn’t felt this nervous even when confronting her cheating ex. But this mattered more. Varek mattered more.

“You can do this,” she whispered to herself. “It’s just business.” Even though she knew it wasn’t.

Taking a deep breath, she marched up to his door. Before she could second-guess herself, she knocked firmly. Her heart pounded anxiously as she waited for him to answer.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Varek aggressively pruned a wayward branch, his movements sharp with frustration. The peaceful atmosphere of his greenhouse brought him no comfort today. Steam rose from the heated stones he’d placed between the plants, carrying the mingled scents of herbs and flowers, but even that couldn’t soothe his troubled thoughts.

His shears snipped with more force than necessary. A leaf fluttered to the ground.

“Stupid,” he muttered, and the word echoed in the glass-enclosed space.

Flora had come to visit him earlier but he’d refused to answer the door and eventually she’d given up.

“You’re making a mistake, boy,” she snapped before she left.

Was he making a mistake? The memory of Posy’s smile flashed through his mind. The way she’d fit against him when he’d put his arm around her. How her eyes had sparkled in the firelight…

He dropped his pruning shears with a clatter. This was exactly what he’d been trying not to think about. He picked up his watering can instead, focusing on the routine task of checking soil moisture. But each plant reminded him of her. The tiny white flowers like the ones he’d given her. The lavender she’d suggested would make wonderful candles. The mint that had made her eyes light up when she’d crushed a leaf between her fingers.

A shadow fell across the greenhouse door and he tensed, ready for another confrontation with Flora. But it wasn’t Flora’s form outlined by the sun. It was Posy. He froze, his watering can dangling from one hand.

She raised her fist and knocked briskly on the greenhouse door.

He moved to the door, his heart hammering. He could pretend he wasn’t home, avoid the conversation that would no doubt be awkward and painful. But he found himself reaching for the door handle anyway.

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