Page 54 of The Ranger

“My heavens, Maida,” Grandma Sadie said. “Slow down or you’re going to break my best china.”

“Sorry, Grandma. But our company is so interesting, I don’t want to miss anything.”

Grandma Sadie smiled at her. “I understand, so the sooner we get the dishes done, the sooner you can join them.”

Maida gave her a quick nod and started scrubbing. Between the two of them they had the dishes done in no time, and Grandma stayed behind to wash the pots and pans.

Maida hurried down the hall to the parlor, wiping tendrils of hair from her face just before she entered. She straightened, hoping to look taller, and strolled in. Mr. Markhel was seated on the settee, the Bergs on the sofa with Grandpa, and her parents occupied a couple of chairs. Belle sat in a third while Uncle Colin leaned against the fireplace mantel beside Kwaku and Zara. Everyone looked casual and relaxed.

Maida looked around expectantly. “What are we talking about?”

“The dance of course,” Uncle Colin said. “We’ll need committees. Decorations, food. It could be a barn dance. Of course, that means cleaning out the barn…”

“What a wonderful idea,” Aunt Belle said. “Goodness gracious we haven’t had a barn dance here in ages.”

Mama smiled. “No, we haven’t. I think it would be wonderful.” She looked around. “Where is Duncan?”

“He went to his room,” Pa said. “I think he’s bored being home from school. But I suppose Clear Creek is boring after his time in Boston.”

Vale’s eyebrows knit. “Boston?”

“Yes,” Mama put in. “We know people in Boston that used to live here. We were able to send Duncan away to school knowing he would be in good hands and have help if he ever needed it.”

Kwaku stretched. “It is good to know one’s children are looked after.”

Zara’s eyes flicked to him before she glanced at the floor. Maida thought her expression odd, and studied the tall, beautiful woman. She was so elegant; part of Maida was jealous. She shoved the feeling down and tried to concentrate on Mr. Markhel instead. He was the reason she’d hurried through the dishes.

He sat, studying the room, and as far as she knew, wasn’t joining in the conversation.

“Should we hitch the horses up?” she blurted.

He looked at her and stood. “You will help me?”

“I helped you unhitch them, didn’t I?” She headed for the front door before anyone could stop her.

“Then we will take care of it.”

She turned in time to see him nod at the others and follow her. Maida slipped out the door, ran down the porch steps and hurried toward the corral as fast as her legs could go. And, much to her delight, no one stopped her.

11

Maida reached the corral first and turned to Mr. Markhel, a happy smile on her face.

His long legs ate up the distance between them, and he quickly reached her. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

Her smile faded. “What?”

“Lead ropes.”

She gasped. “Oh, of course.” She headed for the barn. He must think her an idiot. She didn’t notice if he strolled after her or not. Once she had the two ropes he’d used earlier, she scurried back and almost bumped into him.

“You are nervous,” he stated.

She stared up at him, her lips parted. He didn’t look upset or impatient. He didn’t even look amused, expect for the tiny curve at one corner of his mouth. “Here.” She shoved the ropes at him. “I’ll open the gate.” She rushed out of the barn and headed back to the corral. He was right, she was nervous. But who wouldn’t be dealing with the likes of him? He had her flustered from head to toe. She took a calming breath and hoped she didn’t do something stupid like trip over her own feet in front of him. Land sakes, he’d never speak to her again. That or give her the same sympathetic look everyone did.

She was clumsy. Plain and simple. So far, she’d managed not to be the last two days, but it wasn’t her norm.

She waited for him as he sauntered her way, his mouth still slightly quirked. As stoic as he was, maybe that’s as amused as he was ever going to look. Good, she didn’t need him laughing at her. She got enough of that from her big brother. Once Duncan got started, there was no stopping him. She was glad he wasn’t in the parlor when she’d entered.