Page 63 of The Ranger

Maida lay back with a sigh. “It’s not necessary.”

“It is,” Mama shot back. “I’d rather know it’s from lack of food and make sure you have a good lunch, than find out it’s something else.”

Maida tried not to frown. It was from something else all right, but she didn’t dare tell them what.

A few moments later, Dr. Bowen Drake entered the room, Doc Waller on his heels. Maida gulped. Dealing with Doc Waller was one thing, but Bowen Drake was quite another. He might figure what was happening. What if he told her parents she was addled in the brain because she was growing sweet on the fierce looking Markhel? She knew how her family would aim to cure that.

Her heart sank at the thought as Doc Drake sat where Polly had been perched. “Now Maida, tell me what happened.”

She shrugged. “I got dizzy.”

“Dizzy enough to faint,” Mama added with a frown.

“Oh?” He looked toward the door. Maida followed his gaze, but there was no one there. Markhel must be in the hall. She could “feel” him. A large, solid presence.

Doc Drake smiled at her. “How do you feel now?”

She gave him a lopsided smile. “Fine?”

“Hmmm.” He glanced at the door again. “When did you eat last?”

“Ha,” Grandma Sadie said. “She’s hardly eaten a thing the last two days.”

“Sounds to me it’s caught up to you, hm?” Doc Drake winked at her. “But I’ll examine you just the same.” He looked at the three women. “If you don’t mind?”

Polly was already heading for the door as Mama and Grandma Sadie exchanged a look then followed.

As soon as they were gone, Doc Drake heaved a sigh. “Oh, Maida, what are you doing?”

She sat up. “What do you mean?”

He smiled. “It’s nothing. But if this happens again, you be sure to tell me or Doc Waller.”

She stared at him a moment. “You’re not going to examine me?”

“No, I just wanted to give you a few moments of privacy to collect yourself before you head into your decoration meeting. If you have any sort of odd pain, or dizziness, or feel like…” he hesitated, and she pondered why.

“What?”

“Well, if you start feeling not yourself, let me know.” He patted her hand then left the room.

She stared after him. “Whew. Not myself, indeed.” Speaking of which, what was she going to do if Markhel was still in the hall?

13

Vale and Makama shoved him out the hotel doors. They each took him by an arm and started for the livery stable.

He didn’t argue, he’d been pacing in the hall outside the Van Cleets’ quarters, drawing too much attention to himself.

Vale opened a door and marched him into the dimly lit space. He didn’t seem to care that Markhel was a foot taller and could squash him like a bug. The prince was angry, and unfortunately, he couldn’t blame him.

“What were you doing?!” Vale said, his voice cracking. “I thought a few of those people were going to call the sheriff.”

Unable to help it, he growled and bared his teeth.

“That!” Vale pointed at him. “That right there. Growling and hissing like a beast!”

“Vale, calm down,” Makama urged.