Page 15 of The Orc's Stolen Shepherdess

So, what was he doing in my house?

His dark eyes shot to me, scrutinizing my body in a way that made me shiver. “Susara, you finally came home.”

“What are you doing here?” My voice was level and clipped.

“I left my coat.” He went to the chair across from my father and picked his black cloak up off the back. “I see you’re still wearing yours. Don’t tell me you just arrived.”

“That’s none of your concern.” I balled my fists.

His jaw ticked and his muscles were tight. “What kind of woman isn’t home to cook dinner for her ailing father?”

My stomach churned with guilt. “The kind who has a flock to tend to.”

His smug expression made my blood run cold. “Not for too much longer.”

“What did you say?”

“He hasn’t told you?” Jophel looked from me to my father.

“Jophel, you should go,” my father said.

“Told me what?” I demanded.

“Don’t interrupt your father,” Jophel scolded as if he wasn’t two years my junior.

“You’ve got your coat. Now get out of my house.”

Jophel narrowed his eyes at me and crossed his arms. “Your father has been far too lax with you. A girl like you should know her limits by now.”

“Jophel! Go. Now.” My father’s voice was a near shout, and I couldn’t seem to find my voice at all through my shock.

Jophel narrowed his eyes but begrudgingly went. The door slammed shut behind him, and I was left with nothing but icy dread.

“Father. What was that? Why was his coat here?”

My father let out a long exhale. “Please sit down, Susara.”

“No,” I said firmly. “I won’t. Just tell me what is going on.”

He looked down at the bowl in his lap and then straightened, looking me in the eyes. “The woods are too dangerous for you.”

My stomach dropped down to my feet. “It’s not that dangerous, Father. The biggest threat I’ve come across so far is a little flooding. I’m fine.”

“You need more protection than I can provide. I’ve decided to let Jophel take over the flock.”

I couldn’t even breathe.

“He promised to let you go into the woods with him.”

“You’re giving him the flock?”

“He said he’d do it for only half the wool and mutton.”

“Half the wool and mutton!”I cried. “Father,no!”

“This is for the best, Susara.” Father’s voice was hard and firm.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “It was you who always said that I would take over the flock. You said you’d never let them be taken from me.”

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