Page 8 of My Orc Nanny

Oh no.

Had I caught Joshy’s cold?

Woman, I’m an orc, I don’t get the sniffles.

Washing my hands in the hottest water I could stand, I grinned ruefully at my reflection in the mirror. “I hope you’re right, Aswan, because catching a cold would be a terrible first paycheck.”

A toilet flushed, and I saw my reflection’s eyes widen in surprise to discover there was someone listening to me mumble to myself. I ducked out of the restroom before I could be accused of being crazy.

Crazier.

Mr. Morrison was excessive with his appreciation—I guess he could tell how much of a pain it had been to get me here today. I sat across from him at his desk, and I nodded whenever I thought it appropriate, but I’ll admit I wasn’t paying attention.

The second time I sneezed, he handed me his box of tissues and kindly suggested I work from home the rest of the day.

Dully, I shook my head. “I think I need a sick day, sir.”

I saw his wince, but knew he saw the truth in it. So despite his big sigh as he stood, he nodded toward the door. “Good work today, Hannah. We’ll see you on Monday, bright-eyed and bushy tailed.”

I wanted to ask him if he thought I was a lemur, but instead pressed my lips together and managed to make it out the door before I sneezed again.

Aswan and Joshua were waiting for me on the portico, in the shade. My baby was asleep in the stroller, Mr. BunBun tucked under his chin and his sippy cup mostly empty, thank goodness. The stunning male was watching him.

Whereas most males would pace or stare at their phones or something, Aswan just stood there with his arms crossed and his shoulder propped against the column, his thoughtful gaze on my sleeping toddler.

But then I stepped outside, my leather bag slung over one shoulder, and he glanced up. When he saw it was me, his expression slowly transformed from neutral curiosity to a smile. Arealsmile, not a polite one.

“How’d it go?” he asked in a low rumble, straightening away from the column.

I could do little more than shrug, and I saw his smile begin to fade. So I forced myself to assure him. “It was great. Everything’s moving ahead. They’re even going to hire some locals, which will be great for Eastshore.”

Aswan’s concerned gaze darted across my face, but he nodded and glanced back down to Joshua and changed the subject.

“I ducked into the market with him and picked up some of that flavored-electrolyte water. He seemed to like the cherry flavor, but I couldn’t get any protein into him.”

I bent closer and could see the remains of Joshua’s favorite fish-shaped crackers spread out on the tray, so I shrugged. “He’ll be okay.”

That was when Aswan began lining up small bottles across the top of the stroller, distracted by pulling them from the shopping bag I only now saw hanging from the handle. “I wasn’t sure which pain-and-fever reducer you normally used on him, so I just picked up everything the market had. Of course I’d never give him medicine without yourapproval, but I think it makes sense to get some into him as soon as poss—what?” he asked when he noticed me staring at him.

I shook my head, not sure how to explain how surprised I was that he thought of such a thing. “I—thank you. Yeah, fever reducer is probably a good idea.”

He peered closer. “Ms. Woods, are you okay?”

I flicked my fingers dismissively. “I’m fi—” But my assurance was interrupted by a massive sneeze. “Sorry.” A second one. “Sorry.” A third sneeze. “Sorry.”

Aswan’s lips twitched as he dug into his back pocket and emerged with?—

Ahandkerchief?Who carried ahandkerchiefthese days?

The kind of male who thinks of food allergies and preemptively picked up medicine for your sick baby.

“Thank you,” I muttered miserably when he offered it to me.

A good nose-blow was just what I needed. And didn’t I sound like my mother when I thought that?

Afterward, I had that awkwardWell I can’t very well hand the soggy thing back to him, can I?moment. So I stuck the handkerchief into my bag and swore I’d wash and fold it for him.

With a sigh, I reached for the handle to the stroller.

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