Page 34 of The Ranger
“She’s never left Clear Creek at all?” Makama said in disbelief.
“No.”
Makama blew out a long breath. “Wow, that’s a bummer.”
Belle smiled at her. “I have to ask. Fromwhendid you come?”
Makama smiled as her eyes misted. “Nineteen ninety-six. A year after Shona. She was joined in nineteen ninety-five.”
Belle’s eyes widened. “Shona mentioned the last time we saw her that you would want to come here one day. But she never said why.”
Makama looked at her husband, then at him. Markhel gave her a single nod.
She smiled at Belle and sniffed. “I am Makama Berg, but my maiden name was Makama James. It was an alias used to protect me. You know my father.”
Belle’s eyes went wide. “How can that be?”
“That’s right, the last time he came here he couldn’t show you any pictures.” She straightened. “I’m the daughter of Duncan Mackenzie Sayer. I’m your niece.”
Belle gasped, a hand to her mouth, then stifled a sob. “Niece! You’re one of Duncan’s children!” She sniffed back tears then opened her arms wide.
Makama stepped into them and let her tears free.
Vale looked at him, then Belle. “You must keep this to yourself for now,” he warned. “Markhel is the reason we’re here. Sent by the king himself.”
“Jaireth?” Belle stepped back and wiped tears from her eyes. “He’s a wily one.”
“We’re learning that.” Vale cast another glance at him.
Markhel came away from the stall door he’d leaned against for support. He was suddenly weak and chalked it up to being in Maida’s presence. “I do not wish to come between you and your relatives. Who knows when you will see them again?”
“He’s right,” Belle said. “We go so long without seeing Jefferson and Lorelei. And we’ve only seen Thackary and Pepper a handful of times. Kwaku and Zara brought them.”
Markhel came away from the stall. “In our time, Thackary and Pepper were joined but a week ago. And for me, I’ve been away from Clear Creek less than a month. But for you, it has been eight years.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’ll never understand it. And now you’re here for Maida?” She wiped her eyes with her apron and sniffed back tears. “I like to think of myself as a reasonable person, and Colin and I have seen so much. You and your kind are a miracle to us. You shouldn’t exist but you do.” She took Makama’s hands. “Duncan and Cozette must be so proud of you.”
Fresh tears fell from her eyes, and she smiled at her aunt. “They are. And they’re very proud of Jefferson and Thackary.”
“You’ve met them?”
“We were all at the Muiraran palace together.”
“Oh, yes, that place.” She wiped more tears away. “I was there once. It’s... overwhelming.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Vale said dryly.
Belle laughed, then gave her attention back to Markhel. “You’ll get through this.”
He closed his eyes a moment. “Do not say such things when you know nothing of what is coming.”
“I know a little.”
“You do. But this... is different.”
Her face fell and she spun to Vale and Makama.
Vale nodded. “He’s right. We’re here because Makama wanted to meet all of you.”