Page 35 of Bread with the Orc
The morningof the Harvest Festival dawned crisp and clear, a perfect omen for our day. Dorvak and I had spent last night working together to hang up fairy lights around our booth and arranging the display cases. I should mention thatIwas the one worrying about the decorations, while he was relegated to the heavy lifting.
But I’ll admit that when he went back to his truck to fetch the newHarmony Tea and Treatssign to hang over our booth, I melted all over again.
I mean…how perfect is that?
This morning, I loved the way he sent me secret smiles. Granted, I doubted anyone who didn’t know him would recognize them assmiles, but I did. I’d been sure to show him exactly how much I loved that sign last night, and my thighs were deliciously sore today as a result.
Last week, when he’d told my father and the whole town about our new name—and the fact he loved me—he hadn’t been kidding. I had a week of experience to prove it.
Dorvak loved me, and I loved him, andforeverwasn’t just a word.
This year’s Harvest Festival might be the biggest yet, if the crowd was any indication. The art fair was a big draw, and I could see so many people perusing the craft contest entries.
There was the most delicious feeling of excitement in the air, along with woodsmoke from the beach bonfire, the amazing scents from the food trucks, and the sounds of laughter and children shrieking.
Although the sun was bright, I still took the time to light the jack-o’-lantern I’d taught Dorvak to carve the other day, then waved as the hayride trundled past. “You ready?” I called back to my Mate, who was carefully positioning the cute “cauldron” we’d prepped to hold the hot chai.
“No,” he grumbled. “You know I can handle only so much peopling.”
Wasn’t that the truth? I blew him a kiss as our first customers began tooohandahhover the pastries and breads in our display cases. “Then pop back over to the bakery.” Luckily, it was within walking distance. “Just be back by eleven with another batch of the pastries, and so we can go hear them announce the contest winners.”
My morning was quickly consumed with the excitement of the festival. I was beyond delighted that, for the firsttime, I was finally able to present my own goods to the people of Harmony Glen. I adored hearing their thoughts on my chai and Dorvak’s tea-based pastries, and their energy just fed mine.
I’ll admit that there was even a moment when I wrapped my arms around my cozy orange sweater and did a little dance in the middle of the booth, much to the delight of the fox-eared children I was serving.
As eleven approached, I found myself craning my neck to spot a familiar orc profile, and when Dorvakdidmaterialize out of the crowd, I gasped. He was carrying a dozen stacked boxes, presumably holding our next round of things to sell, and I jumped to help him.
“Here,” I commanded. “Stack them back here to keep them warm. After the contest announcement, we’ll get them set up.”
“Nag, nag, nag,” he sighed, sending me a wink as he did as I instructed.
“Good, good, yes!” I grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. “Comeon! We need a good spot to hear the winners!”
Despite his good-natured grumbling, Dorvak let me pull him through the crowds heading toward the boardwalk. Everyone was going in the same direction, and we weren’t the only ones waiting anxiously to hear the winners of the various contests.
When the finalists for the quilting competition were displayed, Ioohedandahhedwith the rest of the town.
And I wasn’t the only one on the edge of my seat asMayor Whit announced the winners for the craft contest Maggie entered.
“Now, calm down everyone, calm down.” Charles Whitaker was an older man with a twinkle in his eyes. “We have one more set of winners to announce.”
I gripped Dorvak’s hand, knowing what this could mean for our business.
“Now, the Town Council wanted me to personally thank the entrants in the dessert competition, because it meant they got to gorge themselves on the—and I quote—Best tasting desserts we’ve ever had!” When the crowd erupted in laughter, the mayor held up his hands as he chuckled. “They told me the competition was fierce, and everyone did a wonderful job of creating a dessert with an autumn theme. But the winner is…”
As we all waited with hushed excitement, the mayor took his time opening the envelope, then peering at the writing.
“Well, here’s an interesting note,” he said into the microphone. “It seems that the judges liked this year’s winner so much, they’re forbidding him from entering next year, and demanding he judge the desserts at next year’s Harvest Festival, since he’s clearly a professional.”
I wasn’t the only one holding my breath as I leaned forward eagerly.
Mayor Whitaker held up the envelope. “With the entry of his Earl Grey Lavender Shortbread, Congratulations to Dorvak from Harmony Tea and Treats!”
My scream was drowned out by the crowd’s roar of approval at that news, and I jumped into my Mate’sarms. He was laughing as he spun me about, and I peppered his face with kisses.
“This is going to be such a boost for the shop!” I announced breathlessly as he swung me to a stop. “You’re going to be famous near and far!”
“I don’t care,” he admitted quietly, smiling at me. “I’m just glad my Mate is proud of me.”
