Page 38 of The Ranger

A chill went up her spine and tears stung the backs of her eyes. Why the sudden burst of emotion? She swallowed hard. “Nothing.” She opened the door and walked in. They heard voices coming from the kitchen and headed that way. The Bergs and Mr. Markhel were seated at the kitchen table, along with Uncle Colin. Belle was serving them coffee.

“Well, about time you two showed up,” Colin quipped. “Any longer and your coffee would be cold.”

Grandpa Harrison laughed, then eyed Mr. Markhel. “Hello again, sir. It’s been a long time.”

Mr. Markhel gave him a regal nod. “Mr. Cooke.” He looked at Maida, his eyes lingering. “Miss Comfort.”

A blush crept into her cheeks, and she quickly took a chair and sat.

“And you must be Vale,” Grandpa said. “You have your mother’s eyes.”

Vale nodded. “I hear that a lot. Allow me to introduce my wife, Makama. I’m sure you’ve heard by now that we’re touring America on our honeymoon.”

“Yes, Sadie told me. Congratulations.” Grandpa Harrison sat across from them. Maida on his right, Mr. Markhel on his left. Colin sat at the head of the table while Aunt Belle graced the opposite end.

For whatever reason, Maida’s heart was beating something awful, and she didn’t understand why. But something was different sitting with their guests. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say she could feel each of them, especially Mr. Markhel. He was intimidating, big, bordering on scary. Yet there was something else there, and she liked it. She just wished she knew what it was.

“Vale was telling us about Andel and Maddie,” Uncle Colin said. “It sounds like they’ve had a lot going on with their two sons marrying over the last few years.

“And what about your sister?” Grandpa asked. “Is she not wed?”

“No, but we suspect she will be soon. Men vie for her attention, but she’s not interested. Personally, I think she has an eye for our captain of the guard.”

Makama smiled. “It’s all very romantic.”

“It sounds like it,” Mama said, smiling.

Maida smiled and stole a glance at Mr. Markhel. He wasn’t looking at her and kept his eyes on his coffee cup. She did the same. Maybe it would keep her from looking at him too much. The last thing she wanted was for Grandpa Harrison to catch her staring.

Pa hadn’t come. He’d gone to the house to change first, and she expected him to saunter in at any moment. Being the southern gentleman he was, he wouldn’t think to greet guests in his work clothes. She hoped he didn’t catch her staring!

“I’d better go help with dinner,” Mama announced. “It was nice meeting you all, and I’ll see you soon. Maida, come along in a few minutes.”

“Yes, Mama.” She blushed but had no idea why.

“Tell me, Vale,” Grandpa asked as Mama left. “What’s the political climate in Dalrovia these days?”

Vale sighed in resignation, and the men began to talk politics. She hated them and did her best to tune their conversation out. But in doing so, her eyes kept wandering to Mr. Markhel. He was handsome in a rugged sort of way, and she wondered what his job for the royal couple consisted of. Did he stand outside their door at night, guarding them? Or did he just accompany them to different places?

Before she thought twice about it, she leaned past her grandfather and smiled at him. “Would you like more coffee?”

Vale stopped talking. All eyes turned to her, including Grandpa Harrison’s.

Her eyes darted around the faces staring at her. “Wouldanyonelike more coffee?” She left her chair and went to fetch the pot.

Uncle Colin raised his cup. “I’ll take some more.”

She returned and poured him a second cup, then went to Vale and Makama. “How about you two?”

“Please, and thank you,” Vale said, smiling.

Maida worked her way around the table, filling everyone’s cup, including her own, then reached Mr. Markhel. “Would you like some more coffee?”

He ever so slightly cocked his head, as she’d seen him do before, and his eyes brightened. “Thank you. I would.”

She poured, the flow slower than before. She caught what she was doing and pulled the pot away, spilling some into his saucer. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She hurried around the table for a dishrag, then returned to wipe up what she’d spilled. “Do forgive me.”

He looked into her eyes and in a deep voice that seeped into her bones, said, “All is forgiven.”