Page 124 of That’s My Orc, Tusk Off

“Probably a good idea.”

Footsteps rang out from the front of the house.

Traig stepped back as the door opened and Laina’s voice called out, “Knock, knock.”

“In the kitchen,” I called out.

Laina appeared, Brovish behind her, Sofia riding on his shoulder.

“We were passing by,” Laina said. “Thought we’d stop in.” Her gaze landed on the cooling rack. “Are those cookies?”

“Oatmeal raisin.”

“My favorite.”

I laughed. “That’s what Drogar said.”

“Did he try to take all of them?”

“Just four, though he’s coming back for more. You’d better eat some before they’re all gone.”

She walked to the counter, Brovish following. Sofia launched from his shoulder and flew to mine, chirping.

“Hi there,” I said, scratching under her chin.

She leaned into the touch, her wings settling.

Brovish took a cookie, studying it before biting. His eyes widened. “This is excellent.”

“Thank you.”

“Willa’s been making cookies a lot lately,” Traig said. “The cottage smells like a bakery.”

“That’s not a complaint,” I said.

“Not even close.”

Laina bit into a cookie and hummed in approval. “I need your recipe.”

“I’ll write it down for you.”

We stood in the kitchen, eating cookies and talking. Laina asked about the school program—we’d settled on a firm date for two weeks from now. Traig pulled up his tablet and showed her the updated timeline. Brovish asked if I’d reorganized the spice cabinet because it looked different.

“She did,” Traig said before I could answer. “It makes more sense now.”

Laina’s eyebrows rose. “You let her reorganize something?”

“I did.”

“And you didn’t immediately change it back?”

“I made one adjustment.”

“One,” I said.

Brovish and Laina exchanged a look I couldn’t read.

“What?” I asked.