Page 72 of Buck Wild Orc Cowboy
“These are beautiful,” she said, pointing to them with the tongs.
“They taste even better than they look.”
We took our tea and treats outside, sitting at one of the tables.
The town hummed with tourists, some striding down the street, others standing in front of the jail, talking about having the sheriff, Sel’s cute brother, Dungar, arrest them the next day. They hoped they could convince him to keep them in jail longer than a few minutes and were making a pact not to bail each other out so they could chat him up.
Unless one of them sparked a mating bond on his inner wrist, it was a lost cause. I’d already learned these orc brothers were holding out for the real thing.
A couple in matching vests walked past us with a fluffy miniature dog in a baby sling, and I spotted a group of teenagers snapping selfies beside the general store's new, yet antique-appearing wagon, parked out front. A paper flyer fluttered on a nearby post, bright with yellow ink: PICNIC BASKET AUCTION!
After she’d eaten one of the snowleaf clusters, moaning as she savored its complex flavors, Gracie tapped her phone lying on the table beside her mug of tea. “Okay. Final checklist time.”
I took a sip of my drink and nodded. “Let’s do it.”
She swiped through her notes. “Aunt Inla confirmed we’ve got enough baskets in stock at the store. Jessi made a sample one and left it in the window to inspire creativity. Or scare people off, depending on how you feel about sardines and chocolate.”
I laughed. “Sounds like Max’s nightmare lunch. Not the chocolate, but I don’t believe I could pay my son to try sardines.”
Gracie grinned. “The restaurant’s offering three pre-packed basket options, and the winner will share the goodies inside with one of the staff. The general store has signs encouraging peopleto mix and match. I checked this morning, and there are twenty-four people signed up to make baskets.”
“Wow,” I said. “That’s more than I expected.”
“Small town magic. Word spreads fast when there’s gossip and food involved.”
“We can still use the barn?”
“Yup. Day after tomorrow, we’ll clear the main floor and set up long tables for the baskets. Decorate them, of course. We’ll have anonymous bid cards, which was your idea. Thank you again for that. And those who want can shout out their bids. Tark’s brothers will watch the room, takings card and noting spoken bids.”
“It’s going to be so much fun.” I brushed crumbs off the front of my shirt. My boobs were a crumb magnet. Food couldn’t resist.
“Hail volunteered to help move the baskets from the drop-off point to the display tables, and he and Max will do that at about two. Sel will close the bakery tomorrow, as you already know. Jessi and Rosey are manning the drink stand. And Ostor’s handling lighting.”
I blinked. “Wow. It’s all coming together so well.”
Gracie looked up from her screen, her eyes bright. “It’s going to be amazing. This kind of thing makes the town feel alive. Like we’re all in something together.”
“Thanks for letting me be part of it.”
“I couldn’t have done this without you.”
We sat for a moment, people-watching. A breeze rattled the windchimes hanging near the bakery door.
Gracie tilted her head, a familiar glint in her eyes. “That’s the business part. Now, personal check-in. How are you doing?”
I hesitated, my gaze on the street. “I’m…doing quite well, actually.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“Sel is wonderful.” Was I gushing too much? Probably, but I didn’t care.
Gracie’s expression didn’t change, but her smile turned warmer. “Tell me more.”
I set my mug down. “He told me I’m his fated mate.”
“I suspected.”
My breath caught. “You did?”
