Page 115 of The Ranger

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?Ifhe 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?”