Page 51 of The Ranger

Something told her she better get off the rails and did. “We should go inside before my grandmother comes to fetch us. She’d say it was improper, the two of us being out here by ourselves.”

He looked at the house. “Ah, yes, mannerisms of the day. I’d almost forgotten.”

She flicked some hair from her face. “Where have you been? You just disappeared. Everybody talked about it.”

He looked down at her, and his face gentled. Her knees went a little weak, and she began to fidget. “I had business to attend to. I did not mean to be away so long.”

“I remember you, you know. I last saw you at Tillie White’s wedding. And then no one saw you again.”

“You keep bringing that up.” He coiled the ropes and headed for the barn. “Come along, little one.” He looked over his shoulder and arched an eyebrow, as if daring her to follow.

She did, unable to help it, and was hit with a sudden wave of shyness. Her cheeks heated, and she lagged a little, not wanting to get too close.

He stopped up short. “Keep up.” He started walking again, his long strides carrying him to the barn quickly. She had to trot to catch up to him.

He put the ropes away, then gave her his full attention. “And what have you done since I have been away, little one?”

She cocked her head. “Why do you call me that?”

A deep chuckle escaped him. “Because you are small.”

“Oh.” She looked at the ground, then at him. “That’s because you’re so tall.”

He arched an eyebrow, put a hand on top of his head, the other on top of hers. “You are right. But that is compared to you. Kwaku and I are similar in height.”

She smiled at him. “Okay, fine. I see your point. Now let’s go inside before we get in trouble.” She hurried out of the barn then stopped. “Keep up,” she sang with a grin, then started off again.

* * *

Maida sat directlyacross the table from Mr. Markhel. At the moment, everyone’s focus was on Kwaku and Zara Awahnee, the stunning couple that accompanied their guests to dinner. As fascinating as they were, she still found it hard to pull her gaze from Mr. Markhel. He was fierce looking, handsome, and there was something wild about him. She shouldn’t be attracted to such a man, but found she was!

“This is wonderful,” Grandpa Harrison said. “What adventures you’ve had!”

Kwaku chuckled low in his throat. He wore fine clothes, as did his wife. She still didn’t know what they did to make their money, she wasn’t paying attention. She was too busy trying not to ogle Mr. Markhel. But, no matter how they came into their money, she was happy for them.

“And what of you, daughter of Major and Honoria Comfort?” Kwaku boomed.

She jumped, blinked at him, then snapped her mouth shut. Land sakes, had it been hanging open all this time? How embarrassing!

“Don’t just sit there, sweet pea,” Grandpa Harrison said. “Answer the man.”

“Erm, what was the question?” She gave everyone a sheepish look as she glanced around the table.

Kwaku, who was seated next to Mr. Markhel, leaned toward her. “How do you fill your days?”

She blanched. In truth, she didn’t fill them with much of anything. She fed the chickens, did some cooking, cleaning, and mending, and that was it. She had a boring life when it came down to it. No wonder Grandma Sadie wanted to send her off to the Weavers.

“Maida,” Mama urged. “Tell him.”

She forced a smile. “Well, I do what needs to be done around here.”

Pa smiled. “She’s being modest. She helps a lot. We’ve even thought of sending her to college.” He poked at his mashed potatoes. “One day.”

Maida watched him. Okay, that was true, but they probably wouldn’t send her until she was twenty-five!

“College?” Mr. Markhel said.

“A place of higher learning,” Mr. Berg put in. “These days it’s where a young lady can become well-versed in things such as literature.”