Page 12 of The Orc's Sweetheart
Of course there won’t be any towels. I’m the towel lady of the cottage and I have not provided any towels yet.
Doctor Knaggs said the cottage would come partially furnished, so it should have all the big items like couches and a bed. This very obviously does not include everything I’ll need. Like towels. Those are in one of the bags on the cart, which I’ll have to get back to momentarily.
As if timing couldn’t get any worse, there’s a soft knock at the door, followed by, “Anyone home?”
“I’m coming!” I call back and quickly wipe what I can away with my hands before heading for the open front door.
“Hello,” the visitor greets warmly, and my cheeks redden at the state I am. So far I’m failing miserably at my attempt at professional first impressions.
“Hi. Please come in,” I say and pull the door open wider. The dryad smiles serenely, her forest-green eyes twinkling as our gazes meet. She has the most exquisite crown of leaves braided into her long hair that reaches the backs of her knees, the greens complementing her golden-brown skin beautifully.
“Thank you, but I won’t stay long.” She holds up a wicker basket. The smell of fresh bread drifts to me and I almost start salivating. “I thought I’d bring our new nurse something to eat. The gods only know you won’t have anything prepared foryour first day. With such a momentous, life-changing move, one hardly thinks ahead to dinner.”
I smile in relief. “You are absolutely right and sent by the gods. I haven’t even thought that far ahead.” I almost mention that I’m still working on getting my luggage here, but stop myself in time. She could be good friends with Bodin, and I don’t want my misunderstanding with him influencing anyone else.
I take the basket gratefully and incline my head. “Thank you so much for this thoughtful gift.
The dryad grins. “I got dibs on the first visit. Calla told everyone else to hold off until tomorrow. Said to let you get settled in today. If she hadn’t, there’d probably be a line out the door.”
“Oh, wow. I honestly didn’t expect that.” I widen my eyes when I realize I didn’t even ask her name. “Please excuse my manners. I didn’t introduce myself yet. I’m Tilly.”
She places a hand on her chest, the numerous vine bracelets around her wrists moving with the motion, and inclines her head at me. “I’m Annamae. I run The Flowering Teapot with my human mate, Richard. You’ll most likely meet him tomorrow when you’re in town, but someone had to stay behind and serve our customers while I popped out. Can I just say, all of Starry Hill is positively elated to have a fresh face on the island, and a nurse to boot!”
“I am so happy to be here and to meet everyone too. Did you say your shop is ‘The Flowering Teapot’? That’s such a lovely name. Is it a tea shop or a flower shop?”
Annamae glances over her shoulder, then steers me toward the kitchen. “No need to apologize. It takes a while to getused to the names. It’s Starry Hill’s café and bakery. All our shops are named after the images we display outside. It’s a tradition started hundreds of years ago when many of our inhabitants weren’t literate. Starry Hill has always aimed to be a very inclusive community and this was one way to convey that.”
I place the basket on the kitchen table and lift the lid. A fresh savory pie, a baguette, some cheese, and fruit are packed neatly inside and my stomach gives an involuntary rumble.
Inclining my head in thanks, I say, “Thank you so much. This was very thoughtful of you and Richard. I can feel Starry Hill’s welcoming spirit already. I can’t wait to meet everyone and to learn more about the town tomorrow.”
Annamae’s face lights up. “You can make a game of it.” She twirls her wrist in circles, and a bloom appears on the back of her right hand. “Sorry, that happens when I’m excited.”
“Don’t apologize. It’s beautiful. And please feel comfortable to be yourself around me. I’m aware of the various gifts Starry Hill’s residents can have.”
“Kind of comes with the job, doesn’t it?”
“It really does.”
“I was going to say, you can guess what kind of shops we have based on their names alone. Like The Dancing Daisy and The Winged Apple. We also have The Crowned Boot and The Horned Pearl.”
“I know I’ve heard of The Horned Pearl before. Doesn’t Beryl’s wife work there? Let me write all of these down so I can make some guesses tonight before I visit town.”
Annamae places her hand on top of mine, halting me before I go looking for a pen. “I like you, Tilly. You’re in the right place.You suit Starry Hill and I think Starry Hill will suit you too. I’m not sure what path led you to us, but I’m happy you’re here.”
A warmth expands through my chest. “That means a lot to me. Thank you. I think I’ll be very happy here. How could I not be if this beautiful cottage is my home? It’s like it’s been plucked straight from my dreams.”
“I wonder what else you’ll discover here that’s straight from your dreams,” Annamae says with a mysterious smirk and follows it with a wink.
Before I have time to respond to that cryptic sentence, Annamae walks toward the front door. “I’ve got to get back, but if you’d like, I can stop by again sometime and dance with your plants.”
“Really?” I ask, touched by the generous offer. I know small town hospitality is a thing, but I didn’t have particularly high expectations after this morning’s events. Annamae is quickly rewiring my brain.
“Of course,” she says like it’s the most obvious answer.
Leaning against the doorjamb, I look out at Annamae standing between the yellow forsythia and blue delphiniums, lightly touching on petals here and there before turning to the purple hydrangeas and pink peonies. A soft, nurturing energy radiates from her toward the flowers and they perk up with each pass.
“You’re welcome here anytime,” I say with a hand over my full heart. “I’m already in love with this garden, but have no actual experience in keeping one thriving. I could use whatever help I can get.”
