Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Maya
The sun was setting later and later as spring rushed past. I loved this time of year, when I could smell the new life around me and feel the fresh breeze renewing the town.
Also, bonus, Eastshore hadn’t yet hit the Hot as Balls stage when the humidity was 145% and the mosquitos became ravenous beasts.
I was puttering around, sweeping the last of the vermiculite Sandra had accidentally dropped during the afternoon rush, and wondering if I could get away with closing fifteen minutes early. After all, if I locked up now, I could make it to the nature reserve for a quick hike before dinner.
My stomach growled, and I smirked. “Well, there goes that plan,” I murmured to myself. Could I make a quick cup of ramen on the hot plate in the back, and still get to the creek before dark? Probably not.
Decisions, decisions.
“Better be responsible and stay open till six.” I doubted anyone else would come in this late on a Saturday evening, but I couldn’t be sure. Then I could make my noodles guilt-free and settle down with that new elf multiple-partners book Ro brought over.
And depending on how good the naughty bits were, maybe I could get out my orc dildo later…
I was staring at the rack of seeds behind the counter, not really seeing it, thinking about the way I was going to feel with that ridged monster inside me, when the bell over the door tinkled.
Blushing? You’d better believe it. I spun around and lunged for the counter, grabbing up a barcode scanner and pretending like I was hard at work and not fantasizing about anyone in particular…when I realized who’d just walked into The Garden Shop .
Memnon .
And to say “walked in” would overlook the opportunity to use “stomped in” or “stalked in” or merely “scowled his way into my shop.”
Because the seven-foot-tall green hunk of male stomping-stalking-scowling his way toward me did not look happy to be there. My Help Wanted flyer was clenched in his fist.
“Hi,” I blurted as he rocked to a stop on the other side of the counter. “I’m wearing my contacts today.”
His dark gaze dragged down my body, taking in my serviceable work pants—the ones with all the pockets!—and the possibly-too-tight-t-shirt with the shop’s logo over my breast. I’d screwed up the ordering but wore this one anyhow.
I saw his nostrils flare just slightly, but then he met my eyes. “You’re hiring.”
It wasn’t a question.
Before I could respond, he plopped the scrunched-up flyer on the counter. “You’re hiring me.”
“You?” My brows rose in surprise. And then, realizing how rude that sounded, I hurried to blurt, “I mean, yeah. Sure. Are you…” I hesitated. “You need a job?”
“Nope.” He settled back on his heels and glanced around the store. “But I can dig holes.”
Ah.
My heart was hammering in my chest, and I was certain my cheeks were warm. How wild , to have him stomp in here moments after I was thinking of him— No! Not him! I wasn’t thinking of him per se, just any orc, really. Or rather, my orc dildo! Yeah, not Memnon, necessarily .
You’re blathering.
It was impossible to blather in one’s internal monologue, wasn’t it?
It’s totally possible, and you’re doing it.
Ah.
Well.
I mean, who could blame me? Just look at him! Tall, strong, with forearms I practically salivated to feel. And his hair was thick and dark, just like mine. The first time I saw it down, I wanted to braid it. Is that silly?
Memnon moved with a certainty that I’d never seen a male of my own species match. Sure, he was pretty dang anti-social, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t admire him from afar, right?
He’d spent years putting his life on the line to make the world a better place, and if that wasn’t sexy, I don’t know what was.
That thought led to another, and I realized I had to ask the question. He was standing there at my counter, arms crossed, studying the rows of seedlings and tools.
“Um…your injury…” I began. I knew he’d been hurt at the Christmas parade—it had happened right outside my shop, actually, but I didn’t know the details. “Will you?—”
And that was all I got out before he swung that fierce scowl on me, and I shut my mouth.
He looked as if he wanted to curse at me or stomp out again. Instead, though, he took a deep breath and schooled his expression. “It’s healing. I do exercises.” Was that what he’d been doing late last night on the stairs? “The doctor says it’ll heal better if I…get out and do some work.”
Ah. So that was why he was applying for the job. Wait, applying ? He’d just marched in here and announced he would be working for me. I mean, I like confidence as much as the next gal, but how did I know he was right for the job?
I sighed and cocked my hip against the counter. “Look, Memnon, I’m sorry, but I have to ask: Have you ever worked in a garden or floral shop before?”
“Nope.” He didn’t look away. “But you’re not hiring me to work in a floral shop. You’re hiring me to help with the landscaping.”
That was true.
My gaze drifted to his forearms, highlighted by the way they were crossed. He was strong. I could finish the whole project in a few weeks with him at my side. Heck, as long as his leg held up, maybe even faster.
“Do you…” I hesitated. Did I really want to know the answer to this question? I cringed and blurted it all out at once. “Do you have any landscaping experience?”
“Nope,” he said for a third time. But before I could sigh in disappointment, he glanced around the store, landing on the bin of digging implements I kept along the rear. “But I think I know enough to pick it up.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You didn’t just make a joke about a shovel, did you?” I mimed picking up a shovel and using it. “Or a pitchfork?”
To my surprise, something sparkled in Memnon’s dark gaze and his lips twitched before he looked away.
Was that…was that a smile ? I wanted to see it again. I wanted to see him smile for real .
I knew then that I was going to hire him. Sleeping on a cot in the back room was worth it if it meant I could hire my hot reclusive neighbor. Who happened to be an orc.
Oooh, girl, you’re going to be thinking about him tonight when you use your toy, aren’t you?
I saw his nostrils flare again as his gaze slammed back into mine, and I felt it. As if his gaze was some kind of physical force, I stepped back, my own eyes widening. Had he somehow guessed my thoughts?
Embarrassed now, I fumbled for a distraction. “You’re not going to be a very good landscaper if you don’t know your plants. Any idea what that is?” I pointed.
He glanced at where my finger directed, then back to me with a raised brow. “A watering can.” Before I could sputter a correction, he continued, “But behind it is a rosebush.”
My eyes narrowed again. “You recognized it?”
“Nope.” Damn, he was good at the whole impassive thing, wasn’t he? “But there’s a big-ass sign right above it that says Rosebushes 10% off .”
Hmm. So there was. “How about that?” I pointed toward the herbs along the front window.
He glanced over and said, “I don’t—” too quickly, then stopped and looked again. To my surprise, he unfolded his arms and moved closer to the yarrow, and even bent over to inhale.
When he straightened, there was something in his expression I couldn’t identify, something I hadn’t expected. A wistfulness, maybe? “I don’t know what it’s called in English,” he finally said, “but at home it was slakonna . It was used for wounds, poultices to stop bleeding and inflammation, that sort of thing.”
My mouth dropped open.
He was right .
I mean, not about the name, I had no idea what he’d said, although it had been beautiful. But…
Mainly I sold yarrow to people who wanted the fluffy white flowers in their gardens for decoration, but it was among the herbs because it did have medicinal and even ceremonial purposes. At least to my family.
My grandfather, for instance, used to drink a tea made from the leaves, to keep him regular. And if that’s not ceremonial , then I don’t know what is.
Memnon had been able to identify yarrow and what it was used for, after just a quick examination?
I was still staring at him in shock when that harsh mask of his slid into place once more. “And I’m not a total idiot, Blossom.” One long green finger pointed toward the vegetable seedlings. “You’ve got a tomato in with the peppers, third row up.”
He’d called me Blossom ? It was… I felt as if my breath had been knocked from my chest. He’d known what yarrow was used for, and he called me Blossom…just like Tati used to.
“You’re hired,” I said in a hoarse voice, still amazed by what he’d recognized. What I’d recognized as a connection we shared. “I can give you the new hire paperwork to fill out now, or you can come back on Monday.”
He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but then closed it carefully and cocked his head to study me.
Finally he asked, “Sakkara said the landscaping job would start a week from Monday.”
We couldn’t start on the park until after the Festival, but I shrugged. “If you’re available, we could start on the boardwalk at the nature reserve. Not the structure itself, but the retaining wall around it needs attention.”
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, I’m available. Want me to fill out whatever you need now?”
I mean, I wanted him to stick around, if that’s what he was asking, but I winced when I remembered that I lived in my back room now and couldn’t invite him to hang around back there while I printed out everything I needed him to sign.
“Can I…could I email it to you? Or text it?” That seemed like the easiest way to avoid having to go hook up my printer right now with him standing here. “Do you have access to a printer?”
“Up in my apartment.” He pulled out his phone. “Send it to me, I’ll print it and fill it out, and give it to you.”
“Monday?” I asked.
And right at that moment, my stomach growled again.
Oh damn, that’s right! Twenty minutes ago, I’d been looking forward to noodles, hadn’t I? And then this hot orc stomped into my world, and I was completely sidetracked.
Maybe Memnon hadn’t heard it.
Maybe he wouldn’t mention it.
No such luck .
Orc’s senses were way better than human’s, and he definitely heard it. And when it happened again, he heard that one too. I grimaced and covered my stomach with my hand.
“Sorry,” I muttered.
He wasn’t looking at me. He was staring over my head, as if looking for inspiration, which is why it was so strange to hear his invitation.
“I’m doing roast chicken and rice for dinner. Want to come get the signed papers now instead of Monday?”
My eyes widened.
He would print and fill out the forms, and I could come get them now ? And there’d be a delicious dinner as well?
Whoa, don’t get ahead of yourself. The dude’s a bachelor who lives with his brother. He might be overselling this meal .
Still, it was better than ramen, wasn’t it?
And even if it wasn’t, it was a chance to hang out with the most interesting orc in town, one I’ve been dying to know more about.
So I smiled in excitement. “Yeah. Yeah, that would be great, thanks for the invite. Let me lock up.”