Page 116 of The Ranger

He stopped, wincing, and drew in a long, shuddering breath.

“Markhel?” She approached him slowly, one hand coming up to touch him. It was bold and improper, but she didn’t care. Something was wrong, and she had to know what. “Are you unwell?”

He winced again, then slowly turned to face her. When he did, he had the most agonized look she’d ever seen.

“Markhel…”

He shut his eyes tight for a moment, then opened them with a fierce gaze. “Dolratha, Maida. Ihn el moonahl.”

She went stock still. Was she breathing? She didn’t know. She couldn’t put a coherent thought together. She had no idea what he just said, but it warmed her to her toes. The best she could manage was a whisper. “Okay.”

A smile curved his mouth, and he licked his lower lip. “Ihn, ehlba.” He dropped the horse’s rope, closed the distance between them, and gazed down at her.

Her breath came in short pants. “Wh-what does that mean?”

His eyes filled with something she’d never seen before. It wasn’t bad. In fact, it made her feel… pretty. “It…means,” he began, his voice softer than ever before. “It is something I dare not tell you yet.”

They were only inches apart, and she knew that if Mama or Grandma Sadie saw her standing this close to him, they’d pitch a fit. “It sounded pretty.”

He gave her a tender smile. “It is.”

She gazed up at him, and realized that if she kept this up, she’d get a kink in her neck. “We should take care of the horses.”

“Yes.” He continued to look into her eyes, and she realized he was here because he wanted to be. Hewasthere to call on her!

They led the horse to the corral, and he put him inside. She didn’t say a word and neither did he. There was a quiet peace that settled over them, and she didn’t want to disturb it. She didn’t know what it was, didn’t know how it got there, but it was wonderful.

They unhitched the second horse, and once again, she accompanied Markhel to the corral. That done, they returned to the wagon, gathered up the harness, and took it to the barn. He hung it over a stall door then turned to her. He still didn’t speak, and she kept silent. He motioned to the house then headed that way. She followed, coming alongside him, matching his pace.

He slowed so she could more easily keep up, then smiled at her.

His behavior was odd, but he made her feel-good inside. Real good, and she hadn’t the faintest idea why.

When they reached the house, he went up the porch steps and sat.

Maida watched him a moment, her eyes darting to the front door, then sensing he didn’t want her to go in, sat beside him. She folded her hands in her lap and smiled at him.

He smiled back.

She blushed, unsure of what to do.

Markhel gave her an expectant look.

Thank goodness Makama came out of the house with two glasses of lemonade. “Here you go.” She handed them each a glass. “I’ll be right inside.” She backed through the open front door but didn’t close it.

Maida heard voices coming from the parlor and was content with that. Besides, it was only proper they were chaperoned.

She sipped her lemonade, still unsure of what to say.

“You wish me to speak,” he said gently.

She gave him a guilty look. “Well, I do like to talk.”

He chuckled at that. “Yes, little one. You do.”

Her cheeks flushed red. But it was true. “What do you think of the lemonade?”

“You have me next to you, and you ask about lemonade?”

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