Page 134 of The Ranger
Markhel smiled. “I’m glad you are here to prove a point.”
Doc nodded. “We heard someone needed convincing.” He grinned at Harrison, then slapped Markhel on the back. They headed for the barn. When they reached it, Harrison blinked once, twice, then openly gawked as Irene backed up, holding her bale of hay, and tossed it into the hayloft.
“Oh,” she said in surprise. “Was I not supposed to put it up there?”
Grandma grinned. “Oh, I suppose I can get you another.” She trotted into the barn, disappeared into another section and threw a bale back to Irene.
Harrison face-palmed when she caught it, then rubbed his eyes. “What is this?”
Doc joined them. “This is the miracle of the Muirarans. Seems Markhel’s people know how to whip up concoctions that make a body feel better. Like what Markhel was delivering to Grandma off and on over the years.”
The two women kept up their game of toss the hay as Harrison gaped at them.
“Irene took it upon herself to try her own recipe,” Doc continued. “Seems when she did, she added a catalyst that, after we all drank it, did something to us.”
Harrison turned his gaping face to him. “Wh-what?”
“Well, let’s just say Grandma could beat Major at arm wrestling.”
Harrison rubbed his face with both hands. “Too much, too much, too much!”
Doc rocked toe to heel a few times. “Harrison, son, whatever you were told about Markhel and his people? It’s all true. And if you or Major or anyone else keeps Maida from him, then trust us, you aren’t going to like the results.”
Harrison shook his head and gave him a hard stare. “You too? You knew about all this?” He shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I… I can’t make sense of it all.”
“Then allow us to enlighten you, son.” Doc nodded at Wilfred and Major as they headed their way.
Markhel smiled. “Thank you,” he told Doc. “Harrison needs you. All of you.”
Grandma and Irene joined them, smiles on their faces.
“You are all getting stronger,” Markhel stated.
Grandma cast the others a worried look. “Yes, we noticed, but we’ll talk about that later.” She fixed her eyes on Harrison. “Well? Got any questions for us? You asked for proof and here we are.”
“Proof of what?” Major asked.
“Don’t ask,” Harrison said and waved him away.
Markhel’s hands went to his hips. “Maida’s heart is opening to mine. It must be allowed to continue.” He glanced at the house to make sure she’d gone inside with Sadie. She had.
Harrison ignored him and looked around. “Where’s Colin?”
“We told him we’d take care of this,” Irene said. “He’s privy to everything because his sons married Muirarans. Don’t be a fool, Harrison. Swallow that pride of yours and think of Maida.” She scrunched up her face and narrowed her eyes at Major. “And that goes for you too. We know how this all works. And from the sounds of it, things are well underway.”
Markhel studied Major. He didn’t get to witness Irene and Grandma’s little game, and stared at them with a mix of disbelief, fear, and worry.
Markhel looked at the house again, then Maida’s father. There was only one thing left for him to do. Maida had to be willing to accept him, but first her father had to. Dallan had to go through this with Shona and the human father that raised her as his own. Melvale told him all about it.
He approached Major and got down on one knee. “I make you this promise.”
Major glanced at the others and back. “I’m not sure there’s a promise you can make that will satisfy me.”
Markhel looked him in the eyes and fluxed. Raw power surrounded him, causing the others to back up. “I vow to you, Major Comfort, to protect Maida from all harm. I will shelter her with my heart, my body, and my power. She will want for nothing, she will need nothing. She will see you when allowed, but there are rules even I must follow.” He smiled. “And you will be able to see her.”
“Oh, boy,” Doc muttered. “I know what that means.” He winked at Grandma.
“She will not lack friends,” he went on. “She will live in paradise, unless I am still appointed to this place.”