Page 5 of One Night with Her Mountain Orc

“She’s my cousin. But I can’t go to her place—her idiot boyfriend is not a person I can be around anymore. I promised myself on the mountain that I wouldn’t go back there.” She blushes and this time it isn’t because of the cold.

I snort, appreciating her flushed skin, as well as her boundaries, as I wipe my bowl clean with a piece of hearty bread.

“Look. He made me mad. I moved in with May two weeks ago, after trying to make a living off the island. It just wasn’t for me. He heard me telling May how I was going to be strong and independent and alone after I get on my feet here. Well, Chad thought that was bollocks. ‘There’s no way you’ll survive. You aren’t made for life alone.’ So, I had to clear my head.” She shrugs, and I understand there are a lot of emotions in those two shoulders.

“And now, everything in my head says he was right. You rescued me on the mountain. And now we’re here together. How do I explain that away?”

“Just because I insisted on helping you down safely doesn’t mean I rescued you. Well,” I say as I scratch my chin, “I did give you a big stick.” She almost snorts cocoa out of her nose at that statement. “Having a meal with me doesn’t mean you aren’t strong and independent. Just that you aren’t alone. Which can be good or bad, I suppose. I don’t think you should let Chad dictate your health and safety, or your happiness.” There’s more I want to say, but I bite my tongue. She gets to make her own choices.

I also don’t say that I want to pound Chad’s head into the pavement, then toss him into the icy North Atlantic for a swim with the fishes.

After nodding as if I’m sage and wise, August goes back to eating. I do the same. I want nothing more than to sweep her away to my apartment and show her how glorious being together can be. Show her that I’m nothing like Chad, or her ex, or any other rotten man she’s ever experienced.

But she has to want it. Want me. So instead, I drink hot cocoa and try not to wish it was beer. As if she heard my disgruntled thoughts, Ravena, the café’s owner, shows up at our table, a gleaming smile on her face.

Ravena has been here longer than I’ve been alive, and I swear she looks the same as when I was just an orcling, begging her for another hot cocoa after sledding all day. I’m fairly confident she’s a witch, but my brothers refuse to acknowledge my arguments.

“How are you two doing? Have you warmed up any? Made any life altering decisions yet?” She rubs her hand in comforting circles along August’s back as she asks.

“You change your recipe?” I ask as August finishes chewing so she can speak.

“Oh Bjorn, this is my special cacao blend. I only use it on special occasions.” She winks at me.

“What’s the special occasion?”

“Well obviously, this glorious weather that’s brought you together today!” She holds a hand out to the window, as if I hadn’t noticed the blizzard. Hmmm.

“This is the best food and cocoa I think I’ve ever had. Thank you so much.” August continues to gush at Ravena as she clears our plates away.

When I go to pay, Ravena gazes at me with her pale gray eyes. “She’s fragile right now, but she has a deep strength within her. You take care of her.” She quirks an eyebrow at me, making me feel like I’m an adolescent again, and she knows I’m about to get into trouble. I nod, but don’t say anything.

I wonder what Ravena knows as I step away from the crazy witch and her pet crow that sits on a perch behind her, looking at me with its beady eyes, and her voice stops me.

“Bjorn.” There’s no inflection, as if she’s asking for my attention. It’s a command. Reluctantly, I turn back to her, ignoring the crow as it fluffs and shakes its feathers, like it’s prepping for a fight. “It’s good to have you home. Not everyone thinks the same as me, yet. But they will.” A nod in thanks, and I walk away as fast as I can, unwillingly to acknowledge the meaning of her words. Besides, the sight of August is bewitching enough.

I can’t stop Ravena’s words from echoing in my head as I watch August wrap herself up in her fluffy coat, scarf, and hat with a white pompom on top. Sigh. Watching her breasts rise and fall with each breath while we ate was mesmerizing. I’m pretty sure my definition of “take care of her,” and Ravena’s differ.

Rescue lady off mountain—check.

Feed her food and warm her up—check.

I guess it’s time to send her on her way, though it pains me to do so. I can’t prove Koru right that I’m still a fuck-up my first week back on the island.

“Where are you headed?” I ask.

Her expression clouds like when Wolf’s Ridge fogs over. I can’t read it.At risk of a misstep off a cliff, I follow her lead. Don’t be the hero. Let her write this story.I remind myself with each step. Each painful step. It physically pains me to watch her limp through the café to the slippery outside. Once there, the wind still howls, but the sleet has eased up. “I’m glad I’m SAR and not a town EMT. I bet there are a dozen accidents tonight on the roads this dangerous. Which way?”

She shakes her head, looks at me with soulful eyes, and whispers, “I don’t have anywhere to go.” My heart stops at those words. For fuck’s sake. Of course she doesn’t. What am I supposed to do now, Koru? Let her freeze to death out here?

“Are you asking for help?” I turn to block her from the wind as it whips around the edge of the brick building we’re up against. She nods. “Good.” I’m smart enough to not say,finally, though I shout it in my mind.

Sweeping her up into my arms, I cradle her against me and make my way to my apartment.

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