Page 52 of Tusks, Tails & Teacakes
"Had to strip it down to the supports in this section," Val explained as she put the mug to her lips, pointing to where they'd layered the new straw. "But it should hold now. We used the good reed thatch from upstream, not that swamp grass they've been passing off as roofing material lately."
Lira noticed Korl's quick glance in her direction before he returned his attention to his work.
“I also brought Pip’s newest pastry creation.” Lira held up the bag that contained two of the large sweet rolls.
"Perfect timing—I'm starving,” Val said, accepting her share with enthusiasm and demolishing the roll in three bites. She washed it down with chai and then brushed the sticky crumbs from her hands. She glanced at Korl then back at Lira. “Think I'll go warm up by that lovely fire Sass has going."
She disappeared through the open window leaving Lira on the roof with the orc. Once Val was gone, Korl paused in his work, carefully wiping his hands before accepting the offered mug.
When Lira tried to hand him the sweet roll, he shook his head. "You should have some too.”
“I already had one.” She nudged the sweet roll toward him.
His eyes met hers for a brief moment before darting away. “You take half, and we can eat together.”
Lira realized that he might not eat it if she didn’t, so she tore the remaining roll into two pieces and handed him half. He took the mug from her and sat on the peak of the roof, his massive frame somehow managing to look comfortable.
Lira settled next to him, and they ate in companionable silence, the sounds of the village drifting to them along with the muffled voices of those inside the tavern below. She caught him stealing glances at her between bites, though he always looked away when she turned toward him.
“Aren’t these delicious?” Lira asked, licking the last bit of lemony glaze from her fingers.
He grunted in response, although his mouth was full of sweet roll.
They’d had a nice conversation the day before, so why was he so shy again?
"Heard you and Sass were sitting up here when she almost fell through,” Korl said, breaking the quiet. “Why?"
“Why what? Why did her foot go through the thatch?”
He grunted. “Why would you sit on a roof?”
Lira drew her knees up to her chest, considering. She supposed that was a valid question if you were an orc who was easily twice her size. “I’ve always liked roofs. It's quiet up here. You can see the stars at night, think without interruption." She gestured at the village spread out before them. "See everything and everyone without being noticed.”
They watched as villagers went about their morning routines—the line snaking out of Pip’s bakery, children racing hoops down the dirt road, the chandler setting up a sandwich board sign outside her shop. Korl’s shoulder was close enough that she could feel the warmth radiating from him in the cool morning air.
“That makes sense. If I can’t find you, I’ll know to look to the rooftops.” Korl’s deep voice was a rasp that sent a shiver through her.
His dark eyes met hers again, holding her gaze for a heartbeat longer than Lira expected. For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, and her pulse fluttered. But then he rose in one fluid motion and disappeared through the open window, leaving Lira to puzzle over his abrupt departure.
What in the hells was that? Lira pressed a hand to her racing heart. She’d had less of a reaction the last time a man had actually kissed her.
Had she said something to make Korl leave? Or had he left becausehe was done with the job and breakfast? More and more, she was learning that Korl didn’t do things the expected way.
"Oi, up there!” Sass stood outside the tavern shouting up at her. "You might have gotten out of making breakfast by bringing me the best sweet rolls in existence, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook for the afternoon rush. Those scones won't bake themselves!"
Lira laughed as she stood and balanced on the pitch of the newly thatched roof. "Rush? We have a handful of regulars.”
"Building momentum," Sass called back confidently. "Mark my words—the rush is coming!"
Shaking her head, Lira took one last look at the village before heading down. Maybe the dwarf was right. Maybe something was building there.
Thirty
Lira’s handsmoved with practiced ease as she measured the ingredients for the scones—flour, sugar, salt—while her mind wandered back to the roof and Korl. Just when she thought she understood the orc, he stood up and walked away. Had she said something that bothered him or worse, bored him?
She knew she should be focused on the task at hand, the scones, or the even bigger task, retrieving her gran’s cookbook.
Focus, Lira, focus.
