Page 40 of The Ranger
She got up to get it, saw Grandpa Harrison watching her, then ignored his scrutiny. She wanted to help Mr. Markhel.
Mama joined her at the stove. “I’ll get the cream and sugar. The poor man looks tired. I hope he’s not catching something.”
“Thank you, Mama.” She poured him a cup of coffee, set it on its saucer, and brought it to the table. As an afterthought she offered coffee to the rest and fetched some for those that wanted it. She didn’t want Grandpa Harrison to think she was only thinking of Mr. Markhel. Problem was, he wasallshe was thinking about.
* * *
He almost didn’t makeit through dinner. In fact, it was all he could do to make it through the afternoon. He needed to feed but wasn’t sure when he’d have the chance. He hoped Kwaku was nearby.
Maida, he could feel her concern, and Markhel’s heart leapt in his chest when she drew closer. But it wasn’t his inner heart responding, but his physical one.
To his surprise, he found her attractive. This pleased him, but what pleased him more, was her gentle nature.
By rights, it should scare him away. She was too gentle, too docile. The poor little thing would never hold up in a fight or be able to feed his inner heart, and he knew well what the outcome of all this might be. He told himself he’d accept his death, but now that he was here, and he’d seen her, that wasn’t looking like an option.
Markhel drained his third cup of coffee. The brew was doing nothing for him, and he feared Vale wasn’t going to like what was coming. Markhel doubted he’d make it halfway to Clear Creek before he had to feed.
Vale’s left eye twitched as he watched him. He knew what was coming too.
But there was no help for it. The presence of Maida was ramping things up, and he was going to have to feed more often. If he was normal, he wouldn’t have to feed it until it was fully awake, but he wasn’t normal. Never had been. And neither was Melvale.
“That was an exceptional meal, Mrs. Cooke,” Vale said.
“Please, call me Sadie. And I didn’t make it alone. Honoria and Maida helped.”
“It was wonderful,” Makama said.
“Tomorrow you’ll have to dine at our house,” Colin said.
Vale and Makama smiled at each other. “Of course,” Vale said. “We’d love to.”
“You too, Markhel,” Uncle Colin added.
“I will.” He looked Maida’s way. She was staring at him, her lips parted, and for the first time in his life, he wondered what it would be like to kiss a mate.
He closed his eyes and tried to push the image of her slightly parted lips from his mind. But it didn’t work. He saw them as clearly as if he was still looking at her.
“Mr. Markhel?”
He opened his eyes, met Maida’s concerned ones, and something in his chest warmed. It was a foreign sensation, and he wasn’t sure what to make of it. “Yes?”
“Would you like to take some cookies back to the hotel with you?”
Her family stared at her with mixed expressions. Her father and grandfather looked wary, whereas her aunt and uncle looked hopeful. Vale and Makama looked nervous. They knew what was coming.
“That would be nice.” He gave her a regal nod, sat back in his chair, and tried to hold together. Her heart wasn’t calling, but his body was reacting all the same.
His heart pounded, he was growing warm, and if this kept up, instinct would kick in, and he wasn’t sure he could fight it. The last thing he needed to do was snarl at her parents if they so much as looked at her.
She left the table and disappeared into what he assumed was their pantry. When she returned, she held a small sack in her hand. “Here you are.”
“Maida, it’s impolite not to offer the same to our other guests.” Pa smiled at them. “I’m afraid we don’t get many visitors.”
“Don’t make excuses for her, Major,” Mama said then turned to the Bergs. “Would you like some cookies to take back with you?”
Vale smiled. “No, thank you. Maida knows we’re happy with whatever Rosie has on hand in case we want a snack.”
Markhel eyed Maida to see her reaction.