Page 97 of The Ranger
“That’s humans,” Melvale said. “Our physiological makeup is entirely different you must remember. Purity is everything to us.”
“Yeah, but what if you were to bond with someone who wasn’t… you know… Pure?”
“Oh, stab me,” he said with a hand to his chest. “I shudder to think.”
“Doesn’t seem very fair to me…” she muttered.
Markhel shook his head. “It is a discussion for another day. I must see Maida.”
Tom leaned against the cell bars. “You’d best be careful. Fanny Fig was in here, saw you in the jail cell sleeping, and pitched a fit. She thought you were drunk. It’s probably all over town by now and if that gets to the Cookes, then your chances of seeing Maida are slim. Major isn’t going to stand for his daughter taking up with a drinking man.”
“Drinking?” Melvale said in surprise. “Oh, this might be tougher than we thought. Reputation is everything in this time.”
“Ain’t it in yours?”
“Among our people yes, but the humans… oh, I could tell you story upon story.” He went into the cell and pulled Markhel to his feet. “But enough of that. Brother, can you walk?”
Markhel put a hand on his shoulder to steady himself. “I can try.”
“I’ll help you,” Melvale said, his voice softer than before.
Melvale’s concern touched him and Markhel patted his brother on the back. “Thank you.” They made it to the door of the sheriff’s office, and he let go of Melvale’s shoulder. “I am weak, but can walk by myself now. I need food.”
“The edible kind, I hope. Unless of course you’d like Sheriff Tom to have a go at you.”
“What?” Tom said with alarm. “What does that mean?”
“I need meat, vegetables.” Markhel stepped onto the boardwalk.
Kitty patted Tom on the back. “Lucky you, he wants human food.”
Tom’s shoulders slumped in relief. “Oh, wait, Grandma told me what he needs. He’d flick me with a finger and probably kill me.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” she said. “Thanks for all your help. It’s nice to be someplace where people know what’s going on.”
“Bear in mind, young lady, it’s not everyone in town.” Sheriff Tom went to his desk and sat on it. “It’s just a handful of us. Be careful who ya talk to. Especially with the strangers staying over.”
“Whyarethey staying over?” Melvale asked.
“There was a problem with the railroad line outside of Union. They’re repairing it, but it could take up to a week. Our hotel is cheaper than the one in Union, so them folks is staying here.”
“Makes sense,” Kitty said. “Thanks again.”
Markhel waited for her to join them, and they headed for the hotel. His stomach growled, and he was no good to Maida in a weakened state. Best to eat something, then head out to the ranch.
When they entered the hotel, Erwin came out from behind the counter and hurried toward them. “Markhel! Are you okay? Gee, you look bad. Almost like you’ve been on a bender.”
Fanny Fig came out of the dining room with Mary and Harvey Brown. The couple Erwin stayed with when he first came to town years ago. She wrinkled her nose at them. “I knew it! Shameful! Just shameful!”
Mary gasped at Fanny as she headed for the hotel doors and marched outside. She sighed, then smiled at Erwin. “We’ll see you later, dear.” She looked Markhel up and down then she and Harvey shuffled off.
Erwin gave them a small wave as they left the building, then turned to Markhel. “Fanny is running around telling everyone you’re a drunk. She might as well have announced with a blow horn in the dining room earlier.”
Markhel let out a small groan. He supposed there were worse things than the town thinking he was a drunkard. Still, it wasn’t going to make his chances with Maida any better. In fact, it would indeed make them worse. He’d have to prove himself to her family, now more than ever.
The three sat at the nearest table and perused the menu. It wasn’t long before Rosie came, took their orders, and scurried to the kitchen.
“I forgot how fun this place was,” Kitty commented.