The Ranger (Time Masters Book 5), page 26
His eyes gravitate to Grandma Waller who was still in the hotel. She was speaking to Rosie by the kitchen door and eating a scone.
Markhel smiled. He also had his friends.
Maida hurried through her chores that morning and was surprised when Mr. Mosgofian paid a quick visit to the ranch, spoke with Uncle Colin and Aunt Belle, then left. She didn’t know what he wanted and wasn’t sure if she should ask. After all, it wasn’t any of her business and after last night, didn’t want to draw too much attention to herself. If she spoke with her aunt and uncle, her family might start asking questions, and she got too many odd looks this morning, not to mention a few frowns, to risk it.
She put the mending away, then helped Mama with lunch. Her mother was quiet, just like last night after Markhel and the others left.
She frowned as she went into the pantry. Her parents didn’t like him. Plain and simple. But if that was the case, then why was Pa allowing him to call on her today? It was more than a little puzzling. But maybe Pa knew something she didn’t. Perhaps Markhel wasn’t leaving Clear Creek. Had someone in town given him a job? Had he told Pa he’d decided to make a life for himself here?
They made some soup and sandwiches, and soon the men came in. Pa arrived first, washed up at the sink then sat. He didn’t look at her at first, and his inattention stung. When he did look at her, there was sadness in his eyes. “How has your day been?”
“Fine, Pa.” She sat at the table and folded her hands in her lap. “Yours?”
“All right.” He waited for her grandparents and Mama to seat themselves, and finally Duncan joined them. Grandpa said the blessing and that was it. They started eating. Was Pa going to be the only one to say anything?
Maida took a sandwich off the platter when it came to her then passed it to Duncan. At least he’d talk to her this morning. But then, he wasn’t there last night. “How was hunting? Did you or Sam get anything?”
“Nothing,” he said, voice laced with disappointment. “I was hoping we’d at least get a few rabbits. There were hardly even any birds.”
Pa looked up from his soup. “That’s odd.”
“Yeah, it was,” Duncan said. “For quite some time there was nothing at all.”
“When was that?” Mama asked.
“In the morning. You always hear the birds in the morning. But things were still like, and Sam thought maybe a predator of some kind had passed through.”
“That would explain the rabbits,” Grandpa said. “They probably sensed whatever it was and ran for their burrows.”
Duncan shrugged and took a generous bite of his sandwich.
Maida watched him as she nibbled hers, wondering when another conversation would start up again. She wanted to ask Pa if he knew when Markhel was coming, but like before, she had the feeling she shouldn’t bother him. If she was lucky, he’d call on her while the men were working the cattle.
The meal over, Pa, Duncan and Grandpa prepared to leave. Grandma Sadie put some cookies into a bag for them, then sent them on their way. Maida didn’t know if Pa or Grandpa had said anything to Duncan yet, and wondered if they would this afternoon.
“Maida…”
She sighed. “Yes, Mama?”
“Help me with the dishes.”
She trudged toward the sink. “All right.”
Grandma Sadie gave her a playful snap with a dishtowel as she passed, and she had to force a smile. Okay, so someone was trying to lighten things up. But what was going to happen when Markhel arrived? If he arrived, that is.
They got the dishes done and, nervous over Markhel’s impending arrival, she went upstairs, got a book, then placed a chair by the window and read. She was being silly, acting as lookout, but doggone it! After yesterday, she didn’t want to risk his coming then going. For all she knew, Mama would catch him at the door and shoo him off.
She read for a half hour before she heard the rumble of wagon wheels. Maida looked out the window and sure enough, Markhel, Prince Vale and Makama were coming down the rise.
Her face broke into a smile. Her heart leapt for joy, and she stood so fast she knocked the chair over! What was this? How could this man make her so giddy? She was fine a minute ago.
She tossed the book on the bed and hurried to the mirror. Why didn’t she think to straighten her hair?! She tucked some loose wisps behind her ears. There was no time for anything else. That done she checked to make sure there wasn’t anything in her teeth from lunch. Whew, safe there! She looked at her cheeks, pinched them a few times, mashed her lips together even more, then hurried to the stairs. She took a deep breath as Mama stood by the door. She must have caught sight of the wagon too. “Visitors?” Maida said innocently.
“Yes, dear. I wonder who it can be?” She opened the door wide and swung a hand at the wagon pulling into the barnyard.
Maida bit her lip as her heart jumped all over the place. “Oh, it’s Markhel…”
Mama narrowed her eyes at her. “So, it is.”
She hurried down the stairs, slowing at the last few steps. “Well, should we make some lemonade or something? Do we have any lemons?”
Mama heaved a sigh. “I’ll go check. In the meantime, why don’t you invite our guests inside?”
Her face broke into another wide smile. Good grief, could she look any more eager? She sucked in a breath, pressing her lips together, and nodded. As soon as she stepped onto the porch, she let her breath out and smiled at Markhel and the others. The Bergs smiled and waved. Markhel sat, his eyes straight ahead as Vale climbed down then helped Makama.
Maida’s face fell. Oh no. Did he not want to be here? Had he changed his mind Maybe this wasn’t what she thought it was.
“Good afternoon, Maida,” Vale called as they headed for the porch. He stopped, glanced at Markhel, then his wife. “Um, right. Taking care of the horses, Markhel?”
Maida hurried down the porch steps. “I’ll help!” She breezed past Vale and Makama. “Mama’s making lemonade. Go ahead and take a seat in the parlor.”
The couple exchanged another look. “All right.” They headed for the porch as Maida approached the wagon. “Hello,” she said softly.
Markhel looked at her, gave her a single nod, then jumped down with the grace of a cat. She watched him begin to unhitch the horses, and slowly approached. “It’s a lovely day, don’t you think?” She clasped her hands behind her back. Why wasn’t he talking?
He finished unhitching the first horse and began to lead him to the corral.
Maida frowned. What was wrong with him? She followed. “Do you like lemonade?”
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. He was there 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?”
She stilled again. “You’re… letting me ask you other things?”
He slowly smiled. “I am.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Anything?”
He gave her a single nod.
She looked him in the eyes. “Markhel Gondien Olwen. Where do you come from?”
His eyes closed, and for a moment, he looked like he was indecisive. When he opened them, he smiled. “Muirara.”
She cocked her head. “Where’s that?”
He drew in a shuddering breath. “Everywhere.”
23
Makama leaned toward the front hall and took another sip of lemonade.
“First time chaperoning?” Sadie asked in a soft voice.
“I’m afraid so.” Makama studied her and wondered what Sadie looked like when she was younger. Too bad dad didn’t have pictures. Though with Dallan and Shona’s help, he could get some…
“Whatever it is running through your mind, darling, do inform me of it before you act.” Vale stated.
She shot him a mock glare. “Darn if you don’t always know what I’m thinking.”
“I have no idea what you’re thinking, I only know that it’s devious because of the look on your face.” He raised his glass of lemonade to her then took a sip.
Sadie snorted then returned to her mending. She seemed to be warming up to them, a good sign. Honoria, on the other hand, she wasn’t so sure about. Her eyes were glued to the front hall. She was probably trying to listen to what Markhel and Maida were saying to each other. The thing was, they weren’t saying much of anything.
Kwaku and Zara had come to fetch Melvale, Kitty, and Lany. But before they left, Kwaku gave Markhel a parting piece of advice. And by golly if it didn’t seem to be working.
“Why are they so quiet?” Honoria finally asked.
Vale grinned. “There are times when silence really is golden. Or in this case, attractive. They’re simply enjoying each other’s company. Nothing more. If Maida talks too much, she’ll miss seeing him.”
Sadie and Honoria exchanged the same look of confusion. “What are you saying?” Honoria asked, annoyance in her voice.
“They are learning to just be,” Makama explained. She didn’t know if they understood, but that summed it up.
“Honoria, it’s all right,” Sadie said. “Someone gave Duncan the same advice when he first encountered Cozette. Dallan told him that sometimes the best thing to say to a woman was nothing at all. If she wants to talk that’s fine. She needs to…” She stopped and looked at Vale and Makama. “I’m rambling.”
“No, you’re not,” Makama said. “What you’re saying is very true. She needs to get used to how he feels. Without all the words bouncing back and forth.”
Honoria kept silent and instead looked toward the hall.
“They’re getting used to each other, dear,” Sadie said. “It’s for the best.”
Honoria closed her eyes a moment, opened them, and abruptly left the room.
“She’s still angry,” Vale stated.
Sadie put her mending in her lap. “Well, it’s not every day someone comes into your house and tells you their daughter must marry someone that’s… not human.” She fingered the half-mended shirt in her lap. “I wish Duncan and Cozette were here. It would make things much easier.”
“That… could be arranged,” Makama hedged. “I think.”
Sadie straightened in her chair. “It could? I can’t tell you how much that would help Harrison.”
“The next time we see Kwaku, we’ll ask. Maybe Dallan and Shona can bring them.” Makama sipped her lemonade and leaned toward the front hall again.
“What are they doing now?” Vale whispered.
“Sitting, peacefully.”
“They’re not talking at all?”
“Not that I can see. But if you really want to know, you could offer them a cookie or something.”
He sat back in his chair and stretched out his legs, crossing them at the ankles. “No, darling. Let’s allow them to soak each other up for a time. Just as Dallan and Shona allowed us.”
She reached over, took him by the hand and gave it a squeeze.
Sadie watched, her eyes softening, and smiled. “You’re really in love, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Aunt Sadie.” Makama took a fortifying breath. “Do you mind if I call you that?”
“No, dear. I can see Duncan and Cozette in you, and I’m glad you were sent to oversee Maida and Markhel’s bonding or whatever it is.”
“So are we. We’ll do our best to make sure Duncan and Cozette are brought here, even if it’s just for a little while.”
Sadie nodded in thanks and picked up her mending.
Maida appeared in the hall, a smile on her face. “Grandma, can I show Markhel the canyon and His Majesty?”
Makama’s eyes lit up. “Yes, what a good idea.” She smiled at Vale. “I could do with a swim.”
“I’m sure you could darling. Very well.” He left his chair. “Sadie, is it all right with you?”
“Fine, but you better check with Honoria. She might want to go with you.”
“Understood. Darling, if you’ll excuse me?” He headed for the kitchen.
Makama put a hand to her chest and tried to still her breathing at the mention of the creek. She was hungry and needed to feed.
“Are you all right?” Sadie asked.
“I will be. Once I get to water.” She hadn’t told her about what her heart needed but didn’t have to.
“It’s a great day for swimming. It’s terribly hot out,” Maida fanned herself with her hand. “Markhel will hitch up the wagon. Do you have anything to swim in?”
“No, do you have a bathing outfit?”
“Some homemade ones but they work well. Would you like to borrow one?”
“Yes, thank you,” Makama said, her hunger building.
“Then follow me.” Maida headed for the stairs and took them two at a time.
Sadie shook her head in dismay and sighed. “That child.”
“She’s a free spirit,” Makama stated. “She will be good for Markhel.”
Sadie left her chair and set her mending down. “You would know better than me. But will he be good for her?”
She headed for the empty staircase. “Yes, I believe so.”
Upstairs she went into Maida’s room and found her rifling through a dresser drawer. “Found them!” She pulled out a couple of old dresses that had been turned into something resembling bathing outfits by converting the skirt into long shorts. Makama didn’t care what it looked like so long as she could get in the water.
“Here, put this on,” Maida said, handing her one. “We can change here and dry in the sun after swimming.”
“Sounds good to me. Thank you.” She headed for the changing screen. “Would you like to change first?”
“No. I’ll use the screen in my mother’s room. I’ll be right back.” She disappeared into the hall.
Makama changed quickly, her heart picking up. She should’ve slipped away to swim yesterday, but they were so overwhelmed with trying to convince the Cookes about Markhel’s origins, she never got the chance.
It wasn’t long before Maida returned, wearing her makeshift bathing outfit. She spun a full circle to show it off. “I know my ankles and calves are showing but it can’t be helped.” She studied Makama. “You look lovely in that. The prince will like it.”
Makama blushed. She didn’t know why. She was married for crying out loud. But they did marry fast by her time’s standards, so she supposed she’d be blushing for quite a while. “We better go downstairs.”
By the time they did, Markhel was bringing the wagon around.
“Oh, dear,” Maida said. “Vale and Markhel don’t have anything to swim in.”
“They’ll manage.” She headed for the wagon. Vale was outside with Honoria. Probably trying to convince her the two of them were good enough to act as chaperones.
“Vale, Honoria,” Makama greeted and pointed to her outfit. “Well, babe, what do you think?”
