Part 98 (1/2)

I leaned in and rolled up on my toes to touch my cheek to his.

With it there, I said, ”If I don't see you again, have a good night.”

”You as well, love,” he muttered.

I pulled back, gave him a grin then headed down the hall.

I was in my nightgown and robe, fur-lined slippers on my feet, ready for bed as Loretta and Meeta, as usual, a.s.sisted me in being. Then came the request from elan that I listen to her read so I headed to her room as my girls headed to theirs.

Meeta, no doubt, would by now be with Ruben in his.

That situation was continuing quietly, without fanfare, as was Meeta's way. This didn't mean she was entirely matter-of-fact about it. I often saw her search for Ruben on his mount with her eyes as we traversed the snow.

She liked him.

Alas, she was not a woman who would respond (at all) to me teasing her about it and since that would be a waste of effort (and good teasing), I didn't.

But I wished I could.

Loretta, however, would be sleeping in an empty bed tonight.

Surprisingly, Hans had made no headway.

Unsurprisingly, as a great deal of time had pa.s.sed, he'd backed off.

Though he didn't do it happily and his near-constant glower often aimed Loretta's way told me so. It also pretty much told the same to anyone who witnessed it.

And everyone witnessed it.

For some reason, this didn't sit well with me. And although she did it jokingly, earlier that evening, her asking after Bain and Zahnin's relations.h.i.+p status also struck me wrong.

She'd been into Hans.

I thought she'd cave (eventually).

She didn't.

She also hadn't shared.

Friends were supposed to look after friends-I guessed, since I didn't have a lot of experience. But the friends I had now looked after me.

And I wasn't sure I was looking after her.

So there I was, heading to her door.

Once I'd made it, before I could chicken out, I lifted my hand to knock.

I didn't get it in because I heard the door behind me open.

I twisted that way and saw that Meeta stood in it.

”Hey, honey,” I greeted.

”Miss Maddie,” she replied.

A chill slid over my skin when I caught the look on her face.

Since she was studying me closely in a way that kind of freaked me out, I turned fully to her.

”Everything okay?” I asked.

She kept studying me and didn't answer.

”Meeta?” I prompted.

She tipped her head to the side.

Yes, freaking me out.

Suddenly, her face cleared and she said, ”Everything is fine.”

The chill left.

If Meeta said everything was fine, she would not lie.

A brawny arm appeared, that arm wrapping itself around Meeta's chest.

Then the handsome face of Ruben appeared at the side of her head.

He dipped his chin to me and gave me a wolfish grin.

Half a second later, Meeta disappeared and the door clicked shut.

I grinned at the door before I turned and knocked on Loretta's.

Within moments, I heard the lock turn and the door opened a few inches.

When she spied me, she opened it further and frowned.

”Is everything all right, Miss Maddie?” she asked.

”Everything's fine, honey,” I answered. ”Can I come in for a sec and chat?”

She looked confused but opened the door further and invited me in, saying, ”Of course.”

I moved into her room and noted that the fire was blazing, the lamp by her bed was lit and a book was upside down on the bedclothes.

I turned to her. ”I'm sorry, you were all settled in.”

”I'm always happy for a visit from you, Miss Maddie,” she replied, moving to the bed and sitting on its edge, grabbing her book and setting it on the nightstand, finis.h.i.+ng, ”It's nice anytime but definitely much better than this book.”