Page 110 of The Ranger

She made a face. “Did you give her more than one-word answers?”

“Eventually.”

Vale snorted.

“Stop,” she said shaking her head.

“Um, Markhel,” Kitty hedged. “Do you know what it means to be romantic?”

He brought the team to a stop. “Romance?”

“Yeah, you know. Sweep a girl off her feet?”

All eyes were on him as he turned around on the wagon seat. “You are referring to courtship rituals, are you not?”

Kitty nodded. “Dating? Courting? Making out?”

He cocked his head. “Making out?”

Lany facepalmed. “Oh, living stars. We get the family to agree and we’re still in trouble.”

Markhel arched an eyebrow at him then gave his attention to the others. “Teach me some of these rituals. I will perform them and make progress on the bond.” He faced front and got the wagon moving again.

Kitty, Makama and Vale looked at one another and burst into laughter.

“It’s no laughing matter,” Lany sang. “You can’t expect their hearts to do all the work.”

“No,” Vale said, sobering first. “I suppose not.” He looked at Makama. “We didn’t.”

“You’re right,” she agreed. “We spent quality time together.”

He smiled. “Swimming lessons. I remember them well.”

“And dinner dates.” Makama kissed him on the cheek.

“So, what does a date look like in 1899?” Kitty asked. “It’s not like he can take her to dinner and the movies.”

Vale drummed his fingers on his knee. “No, he certainly can’t. Which could pose a problem.”

“It’s 1899, people,” Lany said. “Folks around here are used to having nothing to do.” He sat, then looked at them. “Oh, yes, I see your point. Ideas?”

“I will perform romantic gestures,” Markhel suggested.

“What sort of gestures?” Kitty asked with a hint of alarm.

He glanced over his shoulder. “What gestures are there? Is there a list somewhere?”

Makama tried not to laugh. Markhel was worse than a robot. That is, until he was riled up, or feeding. She’d seen that firsthand. Then he sprang to life. But what about all the in between? Would he bore poor Maida to death? There had to be a personality in the big lug somewhere!

“Flowers?” Kitty said.

“Candy?” Vale added.

“Picnicssssk!” Tylahs chimed. He crawled out of Lany’s pocket and grinned at them.

Makama noticed Markhel didn’t add any suggestions. Hmmm, what could he do to impress Maida and get her to start falling in love with him? It would make things so much easier.

“What are we going to do about the chaperone?” Kitty asked. “Who’s going to do it?”