Page 114 of The Ranger

They sat, both staring at the floor, when Kitty knocked on the door jamb. “Can I come in?”

Markhel nodded without looking at her.

She entered and stood before them. “Wow, you two look depressed.”

“We’re, well,” Melvale waved a hand. “I don’t know what we’re doing.”

“No one does,” she said. “But that’ doesn’t mean you just sit around and do nothing.” She took them each by the hand and pulled.

The brothers looked at each other and stood.

“There, that’s better,” she said. “Now, Markhel needs to get cleaned up and smelling pretty, then get dressed. He’s got a date.” She spun on her heel and marched out of the room.

Markhel watched her go. “A date?”

“She talks about them a lot, but never seems to go on any.” Melvale put a hand on his shoulder. “Do as she says. If there’s one thing Kitty is good at, it’s being willing to open her heart to risk. She’s just never had anyone to risk it on.” He patted him on the shoulder then left the room.

Markhel shrugged, then did as they asked. He bathed, washed his hair, dressed, then went downstairs where the others waited. Grandma was there, and he made a beeline for her. She could always make him feel better.

“Well, look at you all spiffed up.” She studied him from head to toe. “You clean up nice, Markhel.”

He gave a heartfelt look. “I don’t know what to do, Grandma. I am not prepared for this.”

“None of us ever are,” she said and winked. “But rest assured, you’ll get through it. We’ll make sure you do.”

He sat at a table, ordered some food, then waited. No one said much, and he didn’t blame them. He’d gotten so good at cutting himself off from his family and forcing himself to go without companionship, that now when it was offered to him and in the form of a mate no less, he couldn’t accept it. If the bond he was forming with Maida was damaged, then it was his fault and his alone.

Lany and Tylahs returned just as he was finishing his meal and came straight to his table.

He looked at the Lord Councilor with apprehension, afraid of what he might say. But he was no coward. “What did I do to her?”

“Nothing as far as I could see, but you’re going to have to work at this. Hard.” He sat back in his chair. “Markhel, no one can do this but you, and there’s no easy way around it, and you can’t rely...”

“I understand. I will have to do my part. I... must let her in.”

“At least you know. That’s more than a lot of people. And I do mean a lot.” He gave him a curt nod then left the dining room. Melvale, the Lord Councilor and Kitty would have to report in, was his guess. This meant that either Kwaku and Zara would take them back to the palace, or Simon Kells and Geran would come fetch them. In the meantime, he would have only Vale and Makama to aid him.

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 hurriedthrough 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.”