Page 15 of The Orc's Sweetheart
Tilly stops and crosses her arms over her chest. “Excuse me?”
I take a step closer, but keep the hydrangeas as a small barrier between us. “The clinic, I mean—The Bandaged Heart. Do you know where it is?”
“I…”
“It’s next to The Sparkling Cauldron. At the end of First Street at the bottom of the hill.”
Tilly’s shoulders drop a fraction and her brows furrow like I said something unexpected. “Thank you. I appreciate it. I betterget ready now. Don’t want to be late or show up as a sweaty mess.”
The corner of my mouth twitches into something that’s a distant relative of a smile. “You’re welcome.”
A ghost of a grin settles onto Tilly’s mouth too. “Can I expect to frequently find you hiding in my bush?”
“Your bush?”Don’t think dirty thoughts. Don’t think dirty, filthy thoughts about her…
Tilly casually leans against the wall, with a faux coy look on her face. “I mean, is there a reason you showed up here this morning, hiding behind my hydrangea bush? Just need to know if this will be a regular occurrence or a once-off special.”
Fuck. Think, Bodin, think.
I clear my throat. “I was merely dropping by to say, as caretaker of cottages, that you can let me know if there’s anything that causes concern or requires fixing.” Surely, she’ll believe that. Adding under my breath, “Not like there’s anything wrong with the cottage.”
Tilly stands up a bit straighter and her smile morphs into genuine excitement. “Thank you, but I’m sure I’ll be okay. I can do all the alterations myself.”
Any positive feelings I have evaporate at that declaration. “Alterations?”
Tilly shrugs. “Just some things here and there. Nothing major.”
My upper lip pulls back from my tusks. I should’ve known this conversation was going too well. “Starry Hill’s cottages not up to city standards for you?”
“It’s fine. Very pretty. I just want to make it a bitmore… me.”
My nostrils flare with ire. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”
“Ah, I see. We’re back to that. Better run along then,buddy.”
I start walking away but turn around to give Tilly important advice. “By the way, when you’re doing all your ‘alterations,’ it’s good to keep in mind that the cottages have limited electricity. Don’t overload the circuit.”
“No problem,” she says flatly. As she turns to go into the house, she bangs her shoulder against the doorframe. The force of the knock most probably hurt her soft skin, but Tilly doesn’t slow down, merely closes the door with an audible click.
I swear I can feel steam escaping from my ears as I stomp toward my workshop. It might be a good idea to not be around any other creatures until I’ve worked out this frustration. Maybe hammering something will help rid me of all these weird feelings Tilly is so good at stirring up in me.
Chapter 7
Tilly
Showered, dressed, packed, and on my way to being composed, I breathe in slowly through my nose with one hand on the doorknob. It’s my official first day and when I step outside I will be Starry Hill’s official nurse practitioner.
I will not trip. I will not hurry and make myself sweaty. I will remember everything I’ve studied and be a professional. And, I will not think of Bodin and whatever he’s doing to scramble my brain.
Firmly resolved that I will do everything in my power to make this day run smoothly, I turn the knob and step outside in my white buttoned shirt and high-waisted black pants. I instinctively turn to lock the door, only to remember that locks are an apparent foreign concept on the island. It’s weird, and I don’t necessarily feel unsafe, but knowing that anyone can walk in at any time will take some getting used to.
I kind of wish that I was able to call Audrey from here, but hopefully I can pick up a signal close to the clinic. One of her famous pep talks would be appreciated right about now. And she could maybe help me decode whatever Bodin was doing in my garden this morning.
I pace my steps so I can really enjoy taking in the scenery while still ensuring that I get to the clinic with ample time remaining before it opens to the public. I’d like to chat with Doctor Knaggs and get the lay of the land before being thrown into the deep end. Even though I was used to hardcore hustling in Cape Easton University Hospital, I hope things are more laid back on the island.
Coming round the bend where I left the cart, I feel a surge of annoyance at Bodin once again bubbling to the surface, but I quickly shove it back down before it can affect my mood. Thankfully, Annamae’s food followed by a soak in my new tub last night counteracted most of the headache he gave me, and I refuse to be influenced by his hot-and-cold attitude toward me. Again.
My lips lift up at the corners when the large hill with all of the town’s shops come into view, and I glance behind me before I come to a complete halt.
