Page 15 of My Orc Has Big Tusks
Gerald, a snugglethorn, slept in his favorite corner on the edge of his pasture, his woolly body rising and falling with each breath. I didn’t wake him. Gerald needed his rest.
By the time I made it back to the lobby, Traig was waiting for me.
“Are you going to call her?” he asked.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“She said she’d check in.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t call her first.”
“It feels pushy.”
Traig tapped his tablet screen. “You’re the least pushy person I know.”
“I don’t want to start being pushy now.”
He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “You’re overthinking this.”
“Maybe.”
“Definitely.” He set his tablet down. “She came last night. She fixed Cooper’s wing. You’re allowed to follow up.”
I didn’t respond. Traig picked up his tablet and walked away, muttering under his breath.
I leaned against the counter where Sofia still sat, staring at the front door.
I picked her up and carried her to her perch. She tolerated the relocation for only a short time before launching herself back, resuming her vigil at the door.
“Fine,” I told her. “Waste your time if you want.”
She peeped but didn’t look my way.
Lunch came and went. I ate standing up in the break room, staring out the window at the pasture where Drogar was working with the juvenile hearthmaw. She was big for her age, all dark fur and nervous energy, and she kept trying to bolt every time Drogar got close.
He was patient with her. That was Drogar’s gift.
I finished my meal and went to see how Cooper was doing.
He still hadn’t eaten any food. I removed the old and replaced it with new, then freshened his water.
After securing his cage, I went to my office, sat at my desk, and pulled out my notebook to document about the bird.Midday check. No change. Will monitor closely.
I closed the notebook and leaned back in the chair. My phone stared at me from where I’d laid it on my desk, and I picked it up, swiping into the list of contacts.
Icouldcall Laina. Mention that Cooper wasn’t eating and see if she had thoughts.
My thumb hovered over her name.
I laid the phone back on my desk.
If she wanted to check in, she would. I didn’t want her to come back because I’d asked. I wanted her to come back because she wanted to. Even if waiting felt like holding my breath underwater.
A low rumble rang out through the building.
Sofia peeped so loudly it echoed down the hallway.
