Page 54 of My Orc Contract Husband
Ben threw his hands up in exasperation. “This is why little kids ruin everything!”
As Raina’s wails increased in volume, Tarkhan slid quietly among the sunflower stalks, emerging a moment later with both Tova and Joshy in his arms, somehow having convinced them this was the best game ever. The sight of him so natural with children made something warm unfurl in my chest.
“There,” he said simply, setting them down in position. “Now take the picture, hurry!”
I found myself grinning, and when I glanced at my aunt, I saw the same expression reflected on her face. Sharon wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close, despite the heat.
“I’m still not sure why you married him so quickly, dear, but you made the right decision. We’re lucky to be a part of this chaos.”
And I knew she was right.
“Okaynowcan we go get lost?” Ben demanded, and before his parents could answer, he disappeared into the sunflowers.
Chuckling, Aswan followed, as Tova and Emmy locked hands, and Joshy demanded his mother hold his stuffed rabbit so he could follow.
Giza, who was handing his still-fussy daughter to Harper, announced, “We’re going to sit this one out. Raina is hungry.”
“I’ll feed her and meet you all at the cotton candy stall,” Harper announced.
To my surprise, Aunt Sharon also pulled away. “I’m going to check out the Women’s Club booth and see how much they’ve raised for the new playground equipment fund.”
Since I’d expected her to join us, I reached after her, but she merely smiled and sent a glance at Tarkhan. “You two have fun.”
Her wink told me she definitely expected some canoodling in the maze.
And to be fair, itwasshaded and private, more private than I had expected. “Who would have guessed sunflowers could grow this high?” I whispered, my fingers twined through Tarkhan’s as we lightly traced a path through the winding curves and bends.
Somewhere ahead, I could hear Hannah calling to Joshua, and off to the right came the sound of Nikki’s laughter. It made me smile to think of my new friends having fun here, and yet…
I glanced around and tried to tamp down on my shiver.
But of course Tarkhan noticed it. “What’s wrong?”
There was no need to bring down the mood of a perfectly lovely afternoon, so I forced a smile as I moved closer to him, knowing I was safe at his side. “I hope we can find our way out of here.”
He gave me an amused look, then rose up on his toes. “Sakkara’s to the right, Aswan’s up ahead, and Giza’s about fifty yards to our back left. Do you want to know the way out?”
Forcing a chuckle, I smacked him. “Don’t cheat just because you’re a giant! We’ll get out of here with our brains.”
Itwasfun, trying different twists and turns, but I couldn’t shake the eerie feeling I’d had earlier. I kept glancing over my shoulder, but I wasn’t sure what I was hoping—or not hoping—to see.
Finally, Tarkhan paused and glanced over his own shoulder. “Did we lose someone?”
And I shook my head. “I just felt…strange. Like I’m waiting for something to happen.”
He frowned, studying me. “You sure?”
“No!” The denial was part exasperation, part laugh. “I’m not sure about anything. It just feels like…I don’t know.”
“Itchy?” he supplied, and my brows rose.
I pressed a little closer. “I guess so. Like someone’s watching.”
He grunted, then took my hand. “Let’s get out of here.” He took a deep breath, nostrils flaring, then headed off down the leftmost path.
Laughing at my own concern, I jogged to keep up. “Are you cheating again?”
“Ben came this way, then Hannah and Aswan followed. I smell Joshy, so I think someone’s carrying him.”
