Illusions
Mack flopped down onto a couch in the lounge, a glass of lemonade in one hand and his battered copy of The Baron's Betrayal in the other. He figured that on a couch he probably wouldn't fall off if he fell asleep.
He'd read two chapters when he became aware that someone was standing in the doorway. Mack's blue eyes traveled up from the pages of neat black print to a petite figure in a black uniform with pink trim.
"Hey Rose," greeted the red ranger casually. "You look bushed."
"I've been trying to figure out that ancient scroll we found earlier. I can't make head or tail of it, and neither can your father."
Mack shot her a sympathetic smile and patted the spot on the couch next to him. "Pull up some cushion," he invited, scooting over to make room.
"Thanks," replied the pink ranger. "What I just don't understand is how I can't seem to crack the scroll's code. Usually that kind of thing is a snap for me, no trouble at all."
Mack put a hand on her shoulder in a supportive gesture. "Even geniuses have off days, Rose," he told her, and to his surprise Rose leaned in close to him and closed her eyes.
"I know," she murmured. "I know."
"And anyway, I have a little something for you. Maybe it'll cheer you up."
That certainly caught her attention. "Oh Mack, you shouldn't," said Rose.
"Just wait until you see it," insisted Mack. "I'll be right back."
She barely had time to wonder what it was that Mack had gotten her before he came back into the lounge, clutching a hunter green Barnes & Noble bag. "I just thought you'd like this."
He settled himself in again and offered the bag to her.
"Honestly, Mack…" Rose protested. "I can't accept this from you."
"You don't even know what it is," argued the red ranger. "Please, Rose, just look at it before you say you won't accept it."
And so Rose reached her hand inside the bag and pulled out a book with a white cover. Chocolate brown eyes scanned the title for a split second before Rose let out a little squeal.
"Oh Mack," she said again. "Thank you. Really."
Mack grinned back at her. "I saw you looking at this when we went into the bookstore for my dad. And I know you like poetry and everything…"
He was blushing now as he looked at her, and in the back of her mind Rose knew she'd never find anyone like Mack Hartford. He was a good leader and an excellent friend, and on a superficial level Rose had to admit he was attractive as well.
And he was sweet. Unbelievably and undeniably sweet.
"I love it," she told him, and truer words she had never spoken. She leaned in close to him once more, breathing in his clean boy scent, and then she opened her book, content with her knowledge that the world, for now, was safe. The danger would come, but for the time being she had her illusion of peace, and an afternoon of golden silence to share with Mack.