Page 9 of Wrangling the Orc Cowboy

On the boardwalk, I made myself stride—though very fast—back to the saloon and inside the swinging double doors that thudded closed behind me.

At this point, there was no one living in the hotel above, so no one would see how I blundered. We’d be full in a few weeks, and the saloon area would be leaping, per my brother, Dungar. No, hopping, though I wasn’t sure why that term was used. Would humans truly jump around like rabbits?

I guessed I’d soon find out.

Sharga cawed and soared off my shoulder, weaving his way through the air to land on the counter where he started studying his reflection in the gleaming surface.

Gracie had remained in her seat, though she held her soiled clothing against her chest.

“You didn’t leave,” I said as I hurried over to her, tripping on one of the floorboards we’d purposefully made appear uneven to be authentic, though they truly weren’t. Now I wasn’t sure how tripping could be authentic, but I wasn’t going to worry about it, not while Gracie sat in a chair with a grimace on her face.

“You said you’d be back, and I wasn’t sure where else to go.”

I hadn’t explainedanything, had I? Fumbling through this as well. Heat climbed up my cheeks and planted itself in my big ears. If only I could cup them with my hands like I used to do when I was a youngling. Hide my embarrassment from the world.

Stopping in front of her, I dropped to my knees. This put me at her eye level and even with the scarlet marks on her chest. I’d only seen a few blisters earlier, but new ones could be forming. Smacking my palm against them must’ve hurt.

“I have this.” I held up the ointment. “And this.” I set the bottle on the table. “That’s for pain. Later. Unless you’d like me to fetch you a drink so you can take some of the tablets right now.”

Frowning, she shook her head. “No, but thanks. I have stuff in my bag.” She peered around me. “Where is my bag? Oh, I left it on the street. I need to go get it.”

When she started to rise, I placed my hand as delicately as I could on her shoulder, barely touching through the fabric of the shirt she still held in place across her chest. “I’ll get it.” I leaped up and tripped over the leg of a chair tucked in close to a nearby table. I sprawled forward but caught myself before landing on the floor.

Heat flooded my face again, but I kept going, hoping Gracie hadn’t noticed how clumsy I was. Outside, I made myself walk—not even fast this time—over to her bags still sitting in the dusty street. There was no one here but us orcs and her, so they’d been safe, but I understood being careful about possessions.

I lifted them and carried them inside, placing them near the stairs since she’d be staying here in the hotel. “All good.” I rushed back over to kneel in front of her again.

She studied my face. I did not ask for input on her thoughts because I worried they’d be harsh. Or maybe she’d laugh.

I imagined her mouth twisting in disappointment I could barely survive. If she said I was too much, or too clumsy, or too embarrassing, parts of me would melt into the saloon floor and never crawl back out again.

“Let me help you?” I held up the ointment. “I want to put this on your burns. I need to do something to make up for shoving my big hand against you.”

“I can do it. Truly.”

“Please?”

She gave me a level look. “You’re male.”

“That, I am.” Couldn’t she tell? I kept the urge to fidget locked behind joints that had never felt so brittle. My skin buzzed like it had been rewired with lightning, every spark demanding I prove I could be trusted with this.

“You’re male, and you’re asking to touch my chest,” she said.

“Only to slide the ointment across your burns. I want to make sure you cover all the areas.” I held up the shirt I’d collected at the general store. “This is new, for you to wear after.”

She blinked at it. “It saysEverything’s Big at Lonesome Creek Ranch, Especially the Orcs.Is that supposed to be funny or factual?” Her gaze shot to my groin, though I had no idea why.

“We’re big, but I think it’s a mix of both.” I tugged on the edge of my vest. “If you prefer, you could wear this instead.”

Her low laugh burst out, and for some reason, the lilting sound made my skin tingle. “With my bra peeking through?”

Bra…

“You mean this?” I lifted the band on her shoulder then carefully lowered it once more. See? I could be delicate on occasion. If only I could be delicate all of the time.

“Yes, that. I can’t strut around town with my bra hanging out.”

“Why not?”

---