Page 144 of The Ranger

She blinked several times as she tried to process that. Did this mean he was doing all this to save his skin? Didn’t he have any feelings for her? Had he been sweet talking her just to... to...

She left her chair. “I need some air.” She hugged herself and hurried for the back door.

“Maida!”

“Leave me alone.” She went outside and ran. She didn’t know why she was so upset. Probably because she was so enamored with the man she couldn’t see straight. Then to have him tell her... okay the whole thing was bizarre, and he was probably completely round the bend. How was she supposed to believe any of it?

“I need to find my family.” She stopped short of the barn and ran to the Kincaid’s house. She banged on the door, but no one answered. “Where is everyone?” She ran for the barn again, noticed Markhel sat on the front porch now, and changed course. She ran up the rise behind the ranch houses and kept running. She didn’t know if he was coming after her or not. She just wanted time to think this through. If her family thought what he was saying was true, then what was she going to do? What if Markhel needed her just to stay alive and nothing more? Did he haveanyfeelings for her?

She had to admit it was hard to tell. Yes, they had a wonderful time at the creek the other day, and he’d stayed with her this afternoon while she slept. Had he been guarding her? And didn’t Kwaku say not to stray too far from him? And, oh dash it all! What was that he said about not being of this world?!

She ran until she could run no more, stopped, and fell to her knees. She stared at the prairie spread out before her and noticed it was getting darker.

The biggest question was, how could a part of her be so accepting of such a wild tale? And if it was true, and Markhel would die if they didn’t marry or join or whatever it was, then why hadn’t Pa run him off anyway? It’s not as if she was the one in danger of losing her life.

She gasped. “Or am I?” She climbed to her feet and spun around. Markhel hadn’t come after her. Of course, she hadn’t run very far either. She was only a few hundred yards from the house.

She didn’t head back though. She needed to sort this out.

“If he doesn’t do this, something must happen to me. That’s why Pa relented. Land sakes, do I die too?” That wasn’t appealing. She slowly headed back as anger flared. “Markhel’s got some explaining to do. My whole family does.”

By the time she reached the barnyard, she’d worked herself up into a fine fury. “You!” She pointed at Markhel. “You sweet talked me.”

He stood and came down the porch steps. “Sweet talk?”

She stomped up to him and poked him in the chest with a finger. “Calling me little one, beautiful, and all that. Did you mean any of it?”

He studied her. “You speak your mind. That is good.”

She stood on tip toe and poked him again. “Answer the question.”

His head cocked to one side. “And you are observant.”

She shut her eyes as a small piece of her heart broke. Palaces and kings and other worldly beings didn’t matter in that moment. What did was the realization that he had no feelings for her. She felt safe with him, yes, and so many other wonderful things. But was he capable of making her feel those things without feeling them himself? He needed her to stay alive. But did that mean he had to love her as well? It didn’t sound like it.

Tears stung the backs of her eyes as she looked at him, the ache in her heart growing. “You should go.”

“I cannot.”

She stiffened. “I want you to.”

His eyes narrowed. “You... wish me to leave? You do not wish to ask more questions?”

She looked him up and down. He would have to be the most gorgeous thing alive. Not to mention protective, strong... but was it real? Besides, her mind was too numb to ask him more questions.

“Yes,” she managed, the ache in her heart so great her chest began to burn. “Please leave.” She sucked in a breath and held it.

Without letting it go, for fear she’d ask him to stay—Maida marched up the porch steps, walked into the house, and slammed the door behind her.

29

Markhel walked back to town. Maida’s family had gone to Colin’s youngest son’s house. Sam and his wife Lottie had a little one and had been pestering the family to come dine with them for some time. Tonight, they got their wish, though unexpectantly. But as no one returned to Colin and Harrison’s houses, Sam must have been pleased to have everyone surprise him.

Not that it did Markhel any good.

He thought of hiking down to His Majesty, sitting under the mighty oak then beating his head against its massive truck. He failed again, and now Maida was upset.

He was never good with words. Not when he had to use a lot of them. But that was his fault. He didn’t use them often enough and his pride was costing him.