Page 3 of Bidding on the Orc Outcast

“I appreciate the invitation, but-”

“No buts. You’ve been in town for what, four weeks? And all you do is work in this shop. When was the last time you went out and had fun?”

She winced at the question, unable to remember the last time she’d done anything purely for fun. Between the divorce, moving, and setting up the shop, fun had taken a permanent backseat.

Flora arranged the flyers neatly then gave her another saintly look.

“You don’t have to bid. You can just watch me terrorize the eligible bachelors.”

“And I’ll be serving my special punch,” Gladys added with a wink. “Guaranteed to bring the fun.”

Posy looked from Flora’s too-innocent expression to Gladys’s encouraging smile and felt her resistance crumbling. Maybe they were right. She did want to be part of the community, and it wouldn’t hurt to step out of her comfort zone a little.

“I suppose I could come,” she said nervously. “But I’m really not looking to date anyone. Been there, done that, got the divorce papers.”

Her fingers tightened on the edge of the counter, memories of Larry’s betrayal still fresh in her mind. The way he’d looked at her across the conference table, his new girlfriend’s ring sparkling as she’d rested her hand on her pregnant belly. “

Flora reached over and patted her hand. “It isn’t really about dating. It’s about having fun. Meeting people. Getting to know your neighbors beyond just waving at them through your shop window.”

“The last auction raised enough money to fix the library roof,” Gladys chimed in. “And replace all those books the pixies ruined when they had that drinking party in the stacks.”

Flora sighed. “I keep telling you that was an accident. But you see, Posy? It’s about community. Supporting local causes.”

“I support plenty of causes,” she protested. “Just yesterday I donated money to purchase three boxes of children’s books for-”

“That’s not the same and you know it.” Flora shook her head, that dark gaze uncomfortably penetrating. “Writing checks is easy. Being part of something takes courage.”

The words hit closer to home than she wanted to admit. She’d chosen Fairhaven Falls precisely because it was different from her old life - because it represented a chance to belong somewhere real. Somewhere authentic.

“And even if you aren’t interested in dating, there’s nothing wrong with checking out the offerings,” Flora added.

“Fine,” she finally agreed. “I’ll come, but I’m not going to bid.”

“Of course not, dear.”

Flora’s innocent expression didn’t change, but as the two women left the store, she had the uncomfortable feeling that she’d somehow been outmaneuvered.

CHAPTER TWO

Varek adjusted the leather satchel filled with the results of his labors against his shoulder. The morning’s foraging had yielded a good harvest despite the snow still covering much of the ground. The familiar sights and sounds of the forest surrounded him - the soft rustle of the wind through the pines, the distant chatter of birds - creating a rare moment of peace.

The peaceful feeling evaporated when a splash of yellow caught his eye. His godmother Flora was perched on the front steps of his cabin wearing a fluffy yellow tracksuit that made her look like an innocent little chickadee. He knew better. Flora almost always had some kind of scheme in mind when she came to visit him, and her harmless appearance didn’t fool him for a second.

He carefully took a quiet step back, then another, praying he could escape before she dis-

“Don’t even think about sneaking away, boy.” Flora’s amused voice carried across the clearing in front of his cabin. “I know you’re there.”

He sighed and went to join her. The sooner he dealt with whatever she wanted, the sooner she’d leave. “What do you want, Flora?”

Her eyes widened in innocent surprise.

“Maybe I just wanted to see how my favorite godson-”

“Your only godson.”

“-my favorite godson was doing. Come and join me.”

She gave him her sweetest smile as she patted the step next to her, but that only made him more suspicious. His godmother - if she actually was his godmother as she claimed - was most dangerous when she looked the most innocent.

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