Page 70 of The Ranger

Mrs. Dunnigan rolled her eyes. “I doubt it!”

“We will clean what we use,” Markhel stated. “And leave any leftover supplies with you.”

“Much obliged.” Mrs. Dunnigan got to her feet. “I’ll dig out what you’ll need. Red or blue paint?”

“Why don’t we use both?” Grandma suggested. “Maida, you can draw, can’t you?”

“Yes, but I’m no Tillie White.”

Markhel smiled warmly. “She does have talent.”

“How do you know?”

“I have seen her work.” He put his napkin on the table. “I will see to payment of meals.” He left the table and headed for the kitchen.

“He’s... interesting,” Mrs. Dunnigan commented.

Maida wasn’t sure what she could add that wouldn’t give away her growing feelings. “Yes,” she agreed, just to be safe.

“He sure is,” Grandma said. “Nice fella. Very courteous and honorable.”

Maida’s eyes widened. “He is?”

“Of course, I ought to know.”

She smiled. If only her family could hear her say that. It was clear Pa didn’t want her getting too close to him, but so long as Grandma and Mrs. Dunnigan were with them, Pa couldn’t argue.

Markhel returned and stood behind her chair.

Maida sat a moment before turning to look up at him. “Yes?”

He smiled. “We are leaving, little one. Would you care to join us?”

Her cheeks flushed. He was trying to be a gentleman. “Oh, yes, of course.” She cleared her throat, made a show of putting her napkin on the table, and then rose from the chair. Only it wasn’t far enough from the table, and she stumbled falling back into it. “Whoops.”

A deep chuckle sounded behind her, and she could feel the vibration of Markhel’s body. How odd!

She twisted around and looked up at him. “Let me try again.”

He met her gaze, still smiling. “Of course.” He pulled the chair out with ease.

She took a deep breath. It was only a matter of time before he found out how clumsy she was, but part of her didn’t care.

She stood as regally as she could, ran a hand down her skirt, then head held high, stepped away from the table. “Thank you.”

He smiled, his eyes brighter than before. “It was my pleasure.”

Maida’s heart began to pound. One would think he’d just slayed a dragon for her. Good grief, he just pulled out a chair!

Grandma beamed and headed for the lobby. “Let’s go, child.”

Maida was quick to follow. She didn’t want to take any chances and have to stay behind.

Thankfully, Mama and Grandma Sadie were sitting down to lunch with Makama and some of the other ladies in town, including Fanny Fig. Good, Fanny would ask poor Makama so many questions, the women would be busy for a while.

The three left the hotel, and Maida enjoyed the feel of the hot sun on her face. For some reason she’d been cold the last few days, and hoped she wasn’t coming down with something. Could it have anything to do with the fact she’d fainted earlier? At least she ate a good lunch. Probably because Mama was right. She hadn’t been eating much the last few days. But how could she eat when she’d been spending time with Markhel? He made her giddy inside, and she liked the way she got tingly when he was near. But was there anything to it? She was getting all calf-eyed over him, that was true, but what good did it do her if he was leaving with the Bergs once their visit was done?

“What’s the matter child?” Grandma asked in a low voice.