After a few more moments spent in his arms, Miss Mason finally removed herself from his embrace. Malachi fixed his sleeves where they'd twisted. At least the slight panic he'd felt when the woman had lingered was not as obvious on his face as it felt on the inside.

Malachi did not hate physical contact. If he did, he would not hand it out so willingly when the situation called for it. It was always just a bit strange.

"Follow me," he said with a nod. He retrieved the blanket from the pew and folded it over his arm, and then turned to lead Miss Mason to the door. Now that it was dark out -- and especially because it was a young woman trailing behind him -- he would walk around and use the front entrances rather than sneak around the back as he usually did.

"Is there anything else you need?" Malachi asked as they walked, and he held the door for her to step outside first. "You're not hungry?"