Page 128 of The Ranger
“No, so long as it, well… works. And they love each other, who am I to argue?”
“I don’t know, it just seems so… wrong,” Harrison said.
Colin’s sighed. His brother was getting flustered, he could see it in the way he held his shoulders and how he fidgeted in the saddle. “Realize, that if you interfere with what is happening now, you could bring Maida to harm.”
Major laughed and shook his head. “Don’t put this on us. We’re only trying to protect her. Besides, why should we take your word for it?”
Colin’s shoulders tensed. “Because I’ve seen it, I’ve been through this. Don’t you remember when Jefferson went through it?”
“I wasn’t here,” Harrison said. “We spent Christmas with the Weavers. Major?”
“I don’t remember anything odd going on. If there was, Colin covered it up admirably.”
“Thank you, we tried.” Colin shifted in the saddle and got an idea. “What about Adele? She was there when Tillie White was being courted by Professor Beaumont.”
“That greenhorn?” Harrison said and laughed.
Colin cringed. But he also knew he was making progress. Why didn’t he think of his eldest daughter before? “And Duncan and Cozette were here to guide Tillie and Mr. Beaumont through the course of their bonding.”
“Bonding, joining,” Major scoffed. “I don’t know if I can take much more of this.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake,” Colin snapped. “The two of you are so stuck in your ways you can’t open your eyes to the miracle this is. Lorelei, Pepper, and yes, Maida, are part of something that is so much bigger than us. Muirarans are stronger, faster, and dare I say smarter than we are. Instead of trying to figure out how to get rid of Markhel, get to know him. Ask him about his people. We did. They’re bloody fascinating.” Done with his rant he took a deep breath to calm himself. He didn’t know if his little speech did any good, but he knew what would. He turned his horse around.
“Where you going?” Harrison huffed.
“You want proof? I’ll bring you proof. I’m going to see that Jefferson, Thackary, and their wives are brought here. Better yet, I should arrange it so the two of you are brought to them!” He cackled. “Then you’ll believe me!”
He kicked his horse into a canter and raced off. When had Harrison become so set in his ways? And what about Major? He remembered when he’d been shot chasing after some outlaws, and how the good Lord healed him through Bowen. One would think an act of the Almighty would open his eyes to things. But he supposed over the years, living on this ranch, and living day to day through the same thing, would shove one’s mind into complacency. They had a good life here, a wonderful one. But they never ventured from it. As a result, some family members had become closed minded.
He rode back to the ranch, noticed the wagon in the barnyard, and smiled. “Jolly good, Markhel’s here.” He tied his horse at the hitching post in front of Harrison’s house and went inside. In the parlor, he found Markhel, Maida, and Sadie having tea. “Good afternoon,” he greeted.
Markhel stood. “Good afternoon.” His eyes flicked to the door. “Where are the others?”
Sadie got to her feet. “You’re back early, dinner’s not for another hour.”
“I came to speak to Markhel. Mind if I have a word with him?”
“Not at all.”
Markhel gave Sadie and Maida a small bow. “If you will excuse me?”
Colin headed out the front door, Markhel right behind. As soon as they were outside, he went to the other end of the porch and leaned against the rail. “We have a problem.”
Markhel looked him in the eyes. “What?”
“Major and my brother are about to renege on their agreement to let you court Maida.”
“That would be catastrophic.” He folded his arms across his broad chest. “I have not spoken with her yet about my true identity. I do not think the bond is strong enough yet.”
“Dash it all. I was hoping you’d gotten around to that.” He paced between the porch rail and the dining room window. “They want more proof.”
“Then we shall give it to them,” Markhel stated.
“Yes, but the best proof we can give is to let them speak with Jefferson and Thackary. Can you arrange to have them brought here along with their wives?”
“I can try. Kwaku should check on me soon. I will ask him. But it will be up to the king.”
“Fine, fine, but in the meantime, I’m going to invite my daughter Adele and her husband Caleb to have dinner with us. If Harrison and Colin won’t believe them…”