Page 62 of The Ranger

She smiled ear to ear. “Why, I’d be glad to.” She hugged him again then kissed him on the cheek. His heart warmed, and things didn’t seem as hopeless.

* * *

Maida satat a small table by the window of the hotel’s dining room. She’d worn one of her Sunday dresses and wondered if Markhel would like it.

She looked out the window again. There was still no sign of him. Vale and Makama said he went to pay a visit to the Wallers but should return soon. She hoped so. She could tell the meeting was about to get underway.

“What has you looking out the window so often, Maida?”

She jumped and spun to Rosie. Good grief, when did she get to her feet? She looked at them. She’d also made sure to wear the highest heels she had. They were almost two inches! “I… I…” Oh, she would turn red as a beet. Her entire body grew hot with embarrassment. Good thing Rosie didn’t know why.

“Oh, I see…” Rosie drawled.

Blast. She did.

“You’re waiting for the handsome Mr. Markhel.” Rosie winked. “He’s handsome, but a rugged thing, and doesn’t stick around.” She frowned. “Best be careful with that one. I’m not sure your father or grandfather would approve. Still, I can’t blame you for being a little sweet on him. Who wouldn’t be?”

Maida gave her a blank stare. “Ah, um…”

Rosie winked again and went to speak to Mama, Grandma Sadie, and Makama. Polly Van Cleet had joined them, and more women were filing into the dining room.

Maida returned her attention to the window, then got an idea. She clasped her hands behind her back, and slowly weaved through the arriving women and headed for the lobby. She smiled at them, said hello, and brushed at the skirt of her yellow calico dress. The frock was trimmed in white lace, and she knew it made her dark eyes stand out.

She turned to the dining room as she stepped into the lobby, then, seeing no one was paying attention to her, hurried out the hotel doors.

Outside she took a deep breath, went to the bench in front of the lobby windows, and sat. If she waited for Markhel out here, they could share some conversation. She could ask after Grandma Waller to get things going, then have a few measly minutes with him before the committee meeting started.

She jerked, as if someone had shoved her. Her heart skipped and she was suddenly sucking in air as if she couldn’t get enough. What was going on?

Markhel rounded the corner of the bank across from the hotel, took one look at her and came running. “Maida!”

She started at the use of her name and smiled despite whatever was happening. “Markhel.” She straightened on the bench, woozy, and tried not to weave back and forth. “Everyone is inside for the meeting.” She took a deep breath to steady herself then smiled. “How was your visit with Grandma? Makama said…” she listed to one side.

He sat, catching her, and held her upright. “You are unwell.”

“N-no, I’m…” A wave of dizziness hit, and before she knew it, she was in his arms being carried into the hotel. A flurry of activity happened next, and for a moment, everything went black. When her eyes fluttered opened, she found herself on a comfortable bed, and realized she was in the Van Cleets’ private rooms. “Wh-what happened?”

Polly Van Cleet was on one side of the bed, Mama on the other. “You fainted,” Polly said.

“She will be all right?”

Maida sucked in a breath at the sound of Markhel’s voice.

“I think so,” Polly said. “But just in case, be a dear and fetch Doc Drake or Waller.”

Before Maida could blink, he was out the door. She was surprised Mama allowed him to linger, but perhaps he’d already been on his way out.

“Maida, what happened?” Mama asked.

Grandma Sadie entered the room. “Markhel said he was sent to fetch the doctor.”

Maida struggled to sit up. “I’m fine. I… must have been too hot.”

Mama frowned. “You haven’t been eating much lately, no wonder you fainted. You hardly touched your breakfast this morning and picked at your food last night.”

Guilt settled in her gut. But she couldn’t help it! Whenever Markhel was near, her brain stopped working. It was all she could do to keep from falling out of her chair or tripping over her own feet. “I’m fine, Mama, really.”

“We’ll let Doc Drake have a look at you all the same,” Grandma Sadie said. “I know he was making his rounds this morning, but he should be back by now.”