Page 60 of The Orc Chief's Baker
His stomach dropped.
Barreling up the path toward him was Elder Plog and judging from his expression, he was extremelyeagerto catch Brovdir.
Fades help him.
Chapter
Fifteen
TRINIA
The noise Brovdir made in the back of his throat was so thickly laced with exasperation that Trinia almost laughed.
Or at least she might have, had she not been covered head to toe in mud and grime, in a clan she wasn’t supposed to be in, with an orc who’d been carting her around all night, after having almost been sucked underground anddrowned.
Elder Plog approached with a natural spring in his step. Trinia had known him all her life, and although his face had wrinkled and his slender body had hunched, his eyes had never lost their twinkle.
His penchant for mischief was well-known and shereallydidn’t need any more insanity tonight.
“Why Trinia, this is such a delight to see. You’ll be a wonderful mate to our chief.”
Her spine instantly straightened as the idea smacked right around inside her already scrambled brain. She didn’t even have the wherewithal to step away from Brovdir’s hands, which were warmly placed on her upper arms.
“Don’t mind me. I don’t want to meddle in your business. Being so late at night, I’m certain you have some glorious plans. Glad I’m half deaf.”
Trinia was at a complete loss for words. This biscuit-blasted male was an absolute blabbermouth and if he left with the impression she and the orc chief were togethereveryonewould know it before the sun came up.
And she’d have to tell every single being here that the elder was still insane, and that wasnotwhat was going on.
And her sister would befumingthat she was becoming the clan matriarch and not her.
And her patrons would gossip constantly, never giving her a moment’s peace.
And she’d have to nail the bakery door shut to get anything done.
And . . . and . . .
And she didn’t have patrons anymore.
She didn’t work at thebakeryanymore.
“Trinia?”
Brovdir’s warm hands tightened on her shoulders, and she looked up to his face, illuminated by the torches lining the dirt path. He was awash with gentle concern. His grip felt steady and reminded her of how safe she’d felt when she was in his arms. How cared for. How comfortable...
Her eyes widened as a dangerous, stupid,horribleidea flashed in her mind.
One that would solve all her problems in an instant.
Even though it made her knees buckle.
Even though it would make all the gossiptrue.
“Chief, I’m here about those boars we were discussing.”
Trinia blinked, so thrown off that she had nearly forgotten that the elder was there.
“You appear confused, Trinia,” the elder said. “Did our good chief not mention to you that hundreds, perhaps eventhousands, of boars will be entering the Rove Woods within the next few seasons?”
