Page 146 of The Ranger

Paddy sucked in a breath. “Markhel...”

He rolled his shoulders then snapped his neck to one side, popping it. “They are... in my personal space.”

Paddy’s face screwed up. “What is that supposed to mean?”

He stared at the bar. “Maida was close. So close...”

“Oh boy.” Paddy shook his head.

Mr. Bolger slapped Markhel on the back then looked at Paddy. “Women problems.”

“Aye, ye have no idea. Best ye back away from him gentlemen.”

They didn’t. Instead, one of them put another half empty shot glass in front of him. “What was her name?”

Markhel’s head slowly turned to him.

“Now lad, keep a cool head,” Paddy warned. “It’s a simple question.”

Markhel sucked air through his nose and stood to his full height.

Paddy gulped. “Yer not hungry, are ye?”

“Yes.”

He gasped.

“Get the man some food!” Mr. Bolger yelled and slapped him on the back again.

Paddy squeezed both eyes shut.

“Hey barkeep, what ya close yer eyes for?”

Smack!

The man dropped like a stone.

Two of his counter parts loomed over him. “Hey Mick, what happened to you?”

Paddy opened one eye, then the other. He came around the bar, took one look at the man on the floor and frowned at Markhel. “Oh, fine. Just fine. But if ye think yer going to feed herself in here, then yer paying for the damages!”

Markhel arched a single eyebrow at him. “Fair enough.”

Markhel turned to the men laughing and chortling around him. One was dragging the downed man away while the rest began to crowd around him again. He didn’t like it, and when Maida’s lovely face flashed through his mind, along with the words “leave me alone,” it was too much.

He let out a roar so loud it sent the other men running for cover. Several guns were drawn, and everyone stared at him in shock.

Paddy slowly came around the bar, took him by the hand and patted it. “Come, my friend. Perhaps all you need is some good advice.”

Markhel stared at him as his heart began to ache. In fact, both were. He allowed the old man to lead him away and delivered only one swift punch to the man still demanding he take a drink.

* * *

Maida went upto her room, sat on her bed, and watched Markhel Gondien Olwen walk up the rise and disappear. She didn’t know how long she sat there afterward. Minutes, an hour or more? The sky grew dark, and the stars began to wink to life. She heard when her family came home but didn’t go downstairs. She didn’t even turn around when her mother came down the hall, calling her name, nor did she acknowledge her when she stood on the threshold of her room.

Mama sat on the bed next to her. “Maida, didn’t you hear me?”

Her head slowly turned to her. “I sent him away.”