Page 120 of The Ranger

The thought of kissing Markhel made her all warm inside and giddy. She shouldn’t be having such thoughts but couldn’t help it. She had the most wonderful time just sitting on the porch steps with him. She asked him simple questions, and he answered. But she was so enjoying his company that she couldn’t think of what else to ask. So, they sat with their lemonade, looking at each other on occasion, faces blossoming into smiles. At one point he even blushed!

Markhel parked the wagon in the shade of His Majesty, and everyone climbed out. He looked at the tree and patted the trunk. “Hello, old friend.”

“You’re saying hello to a tree?” she asked with a giggle.

“Of course. It was made by the Creator; therefore, I respect it.”

She giggled some more. He had to be talking about the Almighty. “Does that mean you respect spiders?”

“They are a living thing.”

Maida shuddered. “I hate spiders.” Before she could say anything else, she heard a splash. Makama had already jumped in. “She didn’t even take time to get used to the water!”

“She enjoys it too much.” Markhel stripped off his shirt.

Maida gasped and quickly turned around. “You’re undressing?!”

“If I am to swim, yes.”

She heard a belt buckle being undone next.

“Whoa,” Vale said as he quickly approached. “Markhel, we do not take all our clothes off to swim here.” He gave Maida a nervous laugh. “At least not in front of the ladies.”

Markhel arched an eyebrow at him then looked at her. “Very well.” He sat on the ground and pulled off his boots instead.

The prince’s shoulders slumped in relief. “He’s not accustomed to our ways. You’ll have to excuse him.”

“I understand.” Her eyes darted to Markhel and back. Land sakes, he was gorgeous! His muscular arms and chest looked like they were carved from marble.

Markhel stood, wearing nothing but his denims, then looked at her. “Are you ready?”

She forced her eyes to her feet, realized she still wore her shoes, and promptly sat to pull them off. “Give me a minute.”

He waited and surveyed their surroundings as if looking for signs of danger.

“You don’t have to worry,” she said with a smile. “Nobody but the family ever comes here. Everybody knows this is Cooke land.”

“That is good.” He offered her his hand.

She set her shoes aside, placed her hand in his, and enjoyed the warmth and feel of it. His big hand engulfed hers, and for a moment she wondered how odd they looked together.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Come, little one. Let us see how well you can swim.”

“I’m a good swimmer.” She looked him up and down. “Can you swim well?”

“Of course.” He pulled her toward the water.

“Wait! I like to get used to it first!” She dug her heels in, but it did no good.

Markhel kept going. “It is better to get in fast.”

He walked into the swimming hole, pulling her with him. It was cold, and she let out a yelp when it got waist high. “What are you doing? Goodness this is cold!”

Vale, who’d been underwater, surfaced. “It’s lovely!”

“Speak for yourself!” she called to him. “Brrr!”

Markhel chuckled.