Page 25 of The Ranger
He reached for a pear from a bowl of fruit on the table. “What do you mean? Can a father not dote on his daughter a little?”
She gave him the stink eye. “You’re up to something. Why is Kitty here?”
“Would you rather she not be?”
“No, I like having her here. But often she’s with me when I’m on an assignment. I’m not.”
“Oh?” He bit into the fruit and Shona wanted to smack him. He wasdefinitelyup to something.
“Speaking of which, do you mind telling me why you sent Vale and Makama on this assignment? I can see some of your reasoning, but they know nothing of guiding a couple through the bonding process. And considering this time around, it’s Markhel being matched, things need to be handled carefully.”
“No one protested it up to now, and Kwaku is there to assist. You need not worry about them.” He took another bite of his pear then stood. He wore the blue and white robes of his kingly office and strode around the table to join them. Though he was taller than her Muiraran mother, he was still shorter than most Muiraran men, which were often six and a half to seven feet in height.
Shona sighed. “Dad, this whole thing stinks.”
A tiny smile quirked his lips. “Dad?”
“Ugh, c’mon. What are you doing?”
“Jaireth, you need to tell her,” Shannell said.
He pursed his lips and eyed his wife, before facing Shona again. “Very well. Vale and Makama are in Clear Creek because no one knows them.”
Shona crossed her arms. “They know of Vale, he’s Andel Berg’s son. Andel lived in Clear Creek for a few years. He married Maddie there before they went off to Dalrovia to rule.”
“Yes, but there are quite a few in town who are not familiar with them, and did not live in Clear Creek at that time. They have only heard of Vale and his siblings.”
“True,” she agreed.
He put his hands on her shoulders. “Daughter, you are safer here helping me figure out what has happened to the timeline.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why?”
“Yeah,” Kitty said. “What’s happening in Clear Creek that makes it dangerous for Shona to be there?” She crossed her arms and leaned her weight on one foot.
Jaireth pressed his lips together again.
“Jaireth...” Shannell warned.
“Philip Brennan,” he finally said.
Shona paled. “What does he have to do with anything? I know we ran across him in 1969. Well, Pepper Kincaid did, but it all worked out.” She gave him a hard stare. “Are you telling me he might be running around in 1899?”
“Yes.” He glanced at Shannell and back. “That’s exactly it, and he cannot see you or Dallan, or know of your existence.”
She swallowed hard. “Oh, I see. So you sent Vale and Makama?”
“Kwaku will handle it. You and Dallan are not to return there until this match is joined, is that understood?”
She gaped at him. “But Markhel? Does he know?”
“Kwakuwill handle it. Now, stay and visit. I am sure Kitty has some stories to share since the two of you saw each other last?” He motioned to the cushions around the table.
Shona eyed him and wished Dallan were here. Something was still fishy, and by golly, she was going to find out what it was.
6
“Okay, I have everything planned out.” Makama waved a piece of paper in front of Markhel. She’d been spouting off ideas ever since they sat down to eat, and he wasn’t sure if he should be worried or not. Makama Berg appeared smart, and some of her suggestions held great merit, but she was also excitable, and that wasn’t always a good thing.