Page 169 of The Ranger

Maida laughed, pulled the wedding gown from the rack, then headed for the storeroom in the back where there was a changing screen. She couldn’t wait for Markhel to see her in her dress. On their wedding day. Whenever that was.

* * *

“You came for me pies?”Mary Mulligan clapped her hands and smiled. “That’s mighty kind of you. And saves me a heap of trouble. For one, it’s all I can do to keep Paddy away from them.”

Paddy, who was sitting in a chair by a window, lowered the book in his hands. “I’ll have ye know I’ve practiced great restraint!”

“Ye ate a whole pie last night!” she shot back.

“I meant for today.” He got back to his book.

Duncan laughed, and so did his father.

Markhel smiled. Major hadn’t said anything to him yet, but he could guess what he wanted to talk about. Maida, and how often would they get to see her? It was a good question, but until they were joined, and he spoke to the king, he didn’t have enough information to give Major a satisfactory answer.

Mary disappeared into the Mulligans’ small kitchen. She brought two pies out, set them on the dining table, then retreated to the kitchen to get more.

“I’ll help,” Duncan said and followed.

Markhel noticed Major seemed to be looking at anything but him.

“Feeling better, Markhel?” Paddy asked, his nose still in his book.

“I am.”

“And how long will that last?” Major asked. “What happens when this is over?”

He straightened to his full height. “I will take Maida to the Muiraran palace, and we will be presented to the king and queen as a newly joined couple.”

“And?” Major prompted.

Duncan emerged from the kitchen with two pies. He took one look at his father’s stern expression and headed straight for the door. “I’ll take these to the wagon then come back for the rest. I’m not getting in the middle of the two of you.” He balanced a pie on his arm next to the one in his hand, opened the door and left.

“Major, go easy on the lad,” Paddy said. “He’s going to be yer son-in-law whether ye like it or not.”

“It’s not that I don’t like it,” Major said. “It’s…” He heaved a sigh. “Not exactly what I envisioned for Maida.”

Markhel took in the man’s frustrated expression. “You crave stability.”

He turned to him. “Who doesn’t?”

“She will be well taken care of.”

“But will we see her?” Major eyes were intense, but Markhel could feel his growing grief. “I will do what I can.”

“I hope so.”

Mary brought the last two pies out. “Here you go.”

Major took them from her. “Thank you, Mary.” He turned to Paddy as Markhel picked up the two remaining pies. “We’ll see you tonight.”

“Oh, aye.” Paddy turned a page. “And see that ye keep Harrison and Colin away from those pies until then.”

Major smiled. “I’ll see what I can do.” He looked at Markhel and his smile faded.

Markhel fought a sigh. He couldn’t expect Maida’s family to warm up to him all at once. It was going to take some time.

They carried the pies downstairs and up the hall when Markhel stopped up short.