Page 77 of The Ranger

She looked at Markhel, who sat perched on the saloon’s porch roof, tying the banner to several rings nailed to the outer wall, and watched as she stepped to the threshold. He didn’t say a word, didn’t make a move, but for some reason, she wanted him to let her know it was okay to leave the sheriff’s office. And then it happened.

It is safe to come out,khama dehla.

She froze. She didn’t hear it with her ears. It wasn’t even something she heard in her head. It was just there.

She stared at him, jaw slack, and watched as his eyes rounded to saucers. “What was that?” she heard herself say.

A chill went up her spine, and she hugged herself a moment. Markhel, she noticed, had crawled through a window and disappeared. Wilfred came out of the saloon first, and it wasn’t long before Markhel emerged. When he did, he picked up the other end of the banner and the long length of rope they used with it and headed their way. She watched him, then realized she hadn’t helped Sheriff Tom.

She spotted him off to one side and hurried over. “Sorry Sheriff. I was thinking too hard about the dance I guess.” She’d leave out the part about Markhel’s voice rumbling around inside her. Good grief, was she so besotted with him that she was imagining things? That had to be it. But how could she imagine words that weren’t in English?

She turned as Markhel stepped onto the boardwalk. Maybe sheshouldwalk home.

He stopped and looked down at her, a hint of concern in his eyes. “I will see you home momentarily.”

Maida gasped and hoped he didn’t notice. “S-sure.” She drew in a shaky breath and tried to stay out of their way.

Markhel, having the longest arms, attached the other end of the banner to two similar rings that were nailed into the false front of the Sheriff’s office, then climbed down.

“Well, don’t that look fine,” Sheriff Tom said as he admired their work. “This is sure to let everyone know there’s a dance comin’.”

“Yep,” Wilfred agreed. “Okay, I’d best go put my ladder back in Doc’s barn then act like I don’t know it’s there.” He cackled. “Markhel, you want to grab it for me?”

Markhel glanced her way, then nodded. “I will bring it.”

He returned his gaze to her. “Are you coming?”

She nodded, unsure of what to say. She hoped she wasn’t red as beet. The man was so overwhelming, she was hearing voices in her head. This was absurd!

They took the ladder back to the Wallers’, then returned to the mercantile. Grandma was behind the counter with Mrs. Dunnigan helping her take inventory from the looks of it.

“Oh, my, are you back already?” she said in surprise. “Well, then, I suppose we ought to get you home, Maida.”

“What?” Mrs. Dunnigan snapped. “But you’re helping me with inventory!”

“I’ll help Irene,” Wilfred said.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “We’d get done a lot faster ifeveryonehelped.” She eyed Maida, then Markhel. “You two, fetch a clipboard and start counting. You can start with the hardware items.”

Maida looked at the small bins of nails and other bits of hardware. “All of it?”

“Yes,” Mrs. Dunnigan said with a smile. “Every last nail and screw. Between the two of ya, you’ll be done in no time.”

Maida thought she heard her snort with laughter but brushed it aside. Why would she?

She went to the counter, picked up a clipboard and the pencil next to it, then turned to Markhel. “Do you mind helping?”

He closed the distance between them, eyes locking on hers. This wasn’t the same look he’d given her before. He wasn’t studying her or looking her over as if assessing for damage. No, he was what she could only describe as wonder.

“Markhel?” Her voice was softer than she’d like, but with him looking at her the way he was, how was she supposed to make a coherent sentence?

“I will help.” He took the clipboard from her and strode to the far side of the mercantile.

Maida glanced at the others in time to see Grandma wink at Mrs. Dunnigan, who in turn grinned at Wilfred. What was going on?

“Well, don’t just stand there,” Mrs. Dunnigan barked. “Get on with it.”

Okay, that was normal. She joined him at the bins of hardware. “This could take a while.”