Page 153 of The Ranger

Markhel fetched the paper flowers from the chopping block and put the stack on the table. He handed her a few, then took some for himself.

Maida looked at the flowers, then him.

“Maida,” escaped on a whisper. His strength was leaving him in waves. That could only mean one thing.

Markhel swallowed hard. “Little one...”

“Please don’t call me that.” She picked up a paintbrush then reached for the can of blue paint.

He closed his eyes as pain rippled through him.

“Well now,” Irene said as she joined them. She smiled at Maida, then looked at him. “Jumpin’ Jehoshaphat! Are you okay?”

He kept his eyes on Maida as he shook his head.

Irene took one of his large hands and held it. “Do you need us?”

He swallowed hard. “Yes.”

She gave him a sage nod. “Very well. Wilfred?”

Wilfred trotted out of the barn, took one look at him, and quickly put a hand on his shoulder. “Markhel. Are ya okay?”

“No, he’s not okay,” Irene snapped. “Look at him!”

Maida watched with more than a little interest. “What’s wrong?”

Markhel eyes locked on hers. Unfortunately, it did nothing to keep him from toppling to the ground.

“Markhel!” Wilfred cried. “Paddy! Doc! Cyrus!”

The other men came running. “What is it?” Doc asked. “Oh, I see.” He took Markhel by the arm as Paddy and Cyrus took the other. Markhel let them, too weak to stand on his own. His strength was gone, despite the fact Maida was close by. This was not good.

“What’s the matter with him?” she asked. There was still no emotion in her words, not like yesterday when they interacted.

He closed his eyes as all feeling left him. Was he going to die? Had he misinterpreted the signs? Had he missed her final Call somehow?

“Okay,” Paddy said. “Let’s get him up.”

He caught Maida watching the four men lift him and gave her one last look before they carried him into the barn and lowered him onto some bales of hay in front of the stalls. They’d lined them up end to end to be used for seating at the dance.

Maida came into the barn slowly, and they locked gazes again. For a moment, he thought he saw pity in her eyes.

Wilfred leaned him against a stall door. “Are ya cold? I hear the chills can be bad.”

“Yes,” he agreed. “They will be once they start.”

The elderly group gathered around him, their faces grave. They had so many plans for today, but he didn’t think he’d get to carry any of them out.

“Wh-what’s the matter with him?” Maida hedged.

Honoria and Sadie came into the barn, looked at him, and gasped at the same time. “So, it’s true,” Honoria said.

Grandma Waller ignored her and sat beside him. “Oh, child. Not now...”

Maida took a few steps closer. “Why does he look like that? He’s so pale.” She took in everyone around her. “He seemed fine a minute ago.”

Paddy sat on the other side of him. If Markhel didn’t know better, he’d say his life force was slipping away. Maybe it was.