Page 37 of My Orc Has Big Tusks
“Abagail,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “You’re right. We should go check on her.” From what I’d seen, she was still resting a lot. Eating, but getting pickier about her feed.
We left the building, stepping out the back door, and walked to her enclosure.
“She looks…rounder,” I said, and gestured to my plus-sized figure. “I’m not one to talk.”
“You’re gorgeous.”
The words hit me sideways. My fingers tightened the top of the fence, splinters digging into my palms.
“I’m what?”
“I mean…” He shook his head. “No. Imeantgorgeous. You are.”
Heat flooded my face, my neck, and my chest. I couldn’t look at him. If I did, I’d see whether he meant it the way it sounded, and I wasn’t ready for that yet.
Maybe he liked me too.
“Thank you,” I said.
My brain spiraled. He’d noticed me.
What was I supposed to do about that?
“Has her diet been changed?” I choked out.
He studied Abagail, who lay near the far edge of the fence, gazing toward the dense woods beyond. “I don’t think so, but I’ll check.”
“It could be bloat or nothing.”
We entered the pen, and I carefully approached her, though she didn’t act upset about us visiting. She sniffed my hand and looked toward the woods again while I ran my fingers along her sides, carefully palpating her belly.
“Not bloat,” I said, frowning. “It almost feels like…”
“What?”
“Are the creatures neutered?”
He blinked. “Yes. We’re required to do so before they can be adopted. Your government wants to control the population.”
“Makes sense.” I studied Abagail some more. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”
We left the pen and finished rounds, stopping at the supply shed.
As the sun started its descent, the sky turned amber. Brovish went inside and came back out with a small package.
He held it out. “I picked this up in town yesterday.”
I took it, confused, and unwrapped the paper.
Tea. The same loose-leaf blend I’d mentioned last week. Blackberry and mint. I’d said I missed it from the shop near my old clinic.
I looked up. “You remembered?”
“I did.”
It wasn’t a big moment. It was enormous.
“Thank you.” I held it to my chest, eager to taste some in the morning.
