Page 4 of The Orc's Sweetheart
“Besides that she’s human, not too much. She recently graduated as a nurse practitioner from Cape Easton University.”
Something uncomfortable twists in my chest and my lip curls back involuntarily. “So, she’s a city creature?”
A long, thin finger points directly at me and Ma’s face matches her suddenly stern voice. “Don’t jump to any conclusions about her yet, Bodin. She sounded lovely on the phone the couple of times we spoke.”
I scoff. “She’s from the city, that says all I need to know.” I resist the urge to jump up and start pacing. “Why is someone likeherapplying for a job in Starry Hill?” My voice drips with bitterness, my whole mood having soured as just the name of that university brings back memories I’ve long since buried.
The smile creeping across Ma’s face speaks of mischief, but I don’t understand why. “I had a good feeling about her.”
My brows shoot up to my hairline. “Ma, tell me you didn’t hire someone based on a feeling.”
Shaking her head, Ma doesn’t quite meet my eyes as she answers. “Of course not. Obviously she’s well qualified. I checked her papers and she has excellent references.” Finally looking directly at me, years of wisdom shine behind Ma’s large hazel eyes. “But don’t underestimate the power of a good feeling either. I had the same feeling about you and Beryl. Tilly is goingto be good for Starry Hill. She belongs here. Just mark my words.”
“Can I get that in writing?” I deadpan.
Ma leans forward and flicks my shoulder with a deceptively strong finger. I pretend to wince in pain, even though we both know it didn’t have any effect on my thick orc skin.
“Better get going,” Ma says, ushering me toward the front door. “I want you to make a good first impression. Try to be friendly and a bit more talkative than usual. And nice.Please. Ask her questions, but don’t let it sound like an interrogation. Show her the cottage, but don’t linger too long—we don’t want her to feel suffocated. Offer to fix anything in the cottage she needs, but don’t be overbearing since she sounds very independent.”
I pause right outside her purple front door and cross my arms across my chest. “Anything else the city princess might need?”
Ma takes a moment before answering. “Besides leaving your prejudice right here at the door, I can’t think of anything else right now.”
I bend down to place my right temple against hers in farewell. “I’ll try to be nice, but can’t make any promises if she shows up with some kind of attitude.” Taking a step back, I add, “And by the way, the cottage is in pristine condition. I checked everything before I moved out so nothing needs fixing around there.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I’m not sure I do,” I mutter under my breath as I start walking away.
Mom scurries after me, calling, “Oh! Your cart. Please take it along. I’m sure she has lots she’s bringing.”
“It’s right here,” I say, and point to the handcart I built partially hidden next to the cottage. “Greased the axle just this morning.”
Our island doesn’t allow any vehicles and we walk everywhere. As Starry Hill’s caretaker, it is part of my job to move heavy equipment around at times, and the handcart makes the job much easier. I arranged with Beck that I’d help transport the newcomer’s luggage, but if she’s from Cape Easton she’s most likely bringing a ton of luxuries that will hardly fit on it.
Would I need to do multiple trips? I fucking hope not. Maybe I can leave the cart for her and she can do it herself. Ha, as if she’d be able to. She’d probably want one of us to do all the heavy lifting for her.
“Oh, Bodin. You already thought of everything. Now if only you could apply that same level of care to yourself.”
“Don’t start, Ma,” I call affectionately as I hitch the cart up and head down the worn cobbled road toward Beck’s dock.
This is a favor for Ma, I remind myself, the gentle rumbling of my cart’s wheels soothing my troubled thoughts.I don’t need to like this new nurse. I can arrange it so our paths never cross.
The tall grasses lining the path swish languidly in the faint breeze and the melodic chirping of birds aid in calming my racing heart. Cottages dot the hillsides in the distance, their vibrant front doors as familiar to me as their inhabitants. They’re the reason this island needs a new nurse after all, and it would benefit me to remember that.
Perhaps it’s wrong to have any preconceived ideas about this Tilly, but hearing the university’s name, the city, it all triggered some very uncomfortable memories.
I hope she’s nothing like them, though. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Chapter 3
Tilly
My heart patters away in my chest, excitement and nerves warring with each other as Cape Easton Harbor comes into view.
My new life is waiting for me just beyond the horizon.
I glance over at Audrey who is in such a zone, belting out the lyrics to a rock song with smoky female vocals while driving this car like it’s an extension of her being. She’s always loved noisy cars, loud music, and has an immense amount of energy—three things that set us apart from each other. I’m going to miss the way we lovingly bicker, pushing each other’s buttons butnever going too far.
