Page 16 of Buck Wild Orc Cowboy
I'd figured that out already. Who else accepted a job and said they'd be there within days unless… “Why did you have to leave fast?”
She sucked in a breath, and I could see her internal war in her eyes. She wanted to share; I could feel that. But she was afraid.
I waited patiently while she and Max shared a heavy look.
Max lifted his chin, his eyes sharpening, before he turned to face me. “My dad got out of jail, and we were worried he’d come after us.”
“What?” I growled, processing his statement. I reached for a sword on my back that wasn't there. When orcs came to the surface, we soon discovered that people didn't carry weapons like us. Some wore sheaths with metal weapons—guns—that barked too loud and could injure or kill from a distance. If I was going to kill someone, I'd do it up close and while looking in their eyes, starting with this one. I kept my sword in a cabinet near the back door of my bakery, locked up tight.
“I'll kill him,” I snarled.
Holly's eyes widened, and she took a step backward. “You can't. I mean…” She shook her head. “I hate him. I'd love to see him suffer more than he already has, but we don't just…kill people.”
Max's spine stiffened. “Don’t worry. I'll protect my mom.”
At his age, I would've said the same thing, but despite his height and the resolve in his brown eyes, he was still a youngling who should be protected. Not someone who should be thrust into the role of protector.
“I'll teach you how to fight if you want.” I wasn’t sure why I said it. Orc training wasn't a gift we handed out lightly. But something in Max’s eyes and the way he squared his shoulders made me want to give him everything I had.
Holly gasped.
Max gave me a sly grin. “Awesome. How do orcs fight?”
My slick grin rose. “Dirty.”
“Cool. I'm in.”
Holly laid her hand on her son’s shoulder. “Max…”
“You can watch if you want,” I said, hoping that would reassure her. “And I'll teach you too if that interests you.”
She paused, and I sensed she was deciding whether or not I was the kind of male who gave but expected much more in return.
“Oh, well, I…” Now her spine was stiffening. “That would be amazing.”
I gave them a curt nod. “Good. We'll start tomorrow.” I waved for them to walk with me. “For now, let's get to my place.” I needed more details, if she’d give them, and tomorrow, I’d notify my brothers to look out for any potential threat.
Nothing and no one was going to harm Holly or Max.
As for their possessions, a boy doesn’t grow tall and strong on air and books. He needed food. Boots. Places to stretch and not feel like he’d break something if he breathed too big.
I was going to get that kid a jacket. Work gloves. Pants and shirts and a couple of pairs of cowboy boots. A solid hat that would shade his face. And books. Lots of books because a youngling needed to exercise his mind.
As for Holly, I had some ideas for what she might need. I'd take them to the next town tomorrow to pick up some things, probably before I started teaching them how to fight.
They followed me through the alley, their steps quiet on the dirt road.
She walked beside me, but I could feel the distance she kept, the kind of space that came from people who’d had to drag their sorrow behind them for too long.
“I appreciate what you're offering us.” Holly glanced up at me and smiled. A little one, but it stole every word I was thinking of saying.
“Glad to help,” I finally said.
We passed the edge of Main Street. Ahead, the barn sat on a wide stretch of packed dirt, its shadow long from the late-day sunshine.
At the barn, I caught Max’s eye. “You want to meet some beasts?”
“Oh, yeah,” he breathed. He looked Holly’s way. “Can I? Please?”
