Page 79 of The Ranger
Harrison set the bridle down. “What?”
“Muir-are-ahn,” Colin said, sounding it out.
“Never heard of the place.” Harrison went to the open barn doors, probably to see if Major was bringing their horses yet.
Colin joined him. “Muirara would be the place, or so I’ve heard from Jeff and Thackary. Muirarans, the people, or in this case, the race.”
“What are you babbling on about?” Harrison said with enough annoyance to bring Colin’s hackles up.
He shook his head in dismay. He should have done this ages ago, but didn’t think they’d bring Markhel so soon. “Harrison, he’s not from around here.”
“Of course he’s not, and one more reason I don’t want him sniffing around Maida.”
Major was halfway to the barn with their horses when Colin spied a horse and buggy coming over the rise. He breathed a sigh of relief. “You needn’t bother saddling up you two, she’s back.”
“Withhim,” Harrison ground out and pointed.
“AndDoc and Grandma,” Colin added, pointing again. “Really, brother, calm yourself.”
Harrison took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Colin, but Maida is barely eighteen. There are much better choices for a beau out there.”
“No, there’s not. She’s told Belle she’s not interested in anyone from Clear Creek.”
Harrison spun to him. “Then Honoria and Major will send her to the Weavers. They’ve even discussed a visit to Baltimore. She could spend time with C.J. and Rufi Branson and be introduced into polite society.”
Colin’s forehead creased with sympathy as he put a hand on his shoulder. “No Harrison. That won’t do.”
“What?”
Before he could comment further, Doc’s buggy pulled up to the front of Harrison’s house.
Doc climbed out the back seat and helped Grandma down. “Sorry we’re so late getting Maida home,” he called. “Irene talked the lot of us into helping her with inventory.”
“Inventory?” Major said, bringing the horses to a stop. He narrowed his eyes at Markhel as he helped Maida out of the buggy, then looked at Harrison. “Why on earth would she do that?” He headed for them, pulling the horses along. “Maida, what were you thinking?”
She looked at him in shock. “But Pa, I was just trying to help.”
“Don’t be hard on the child, Major, “Grandma said. “We helped too. Between all of us we got things done in no time. You know how persnickety she gets with her inventory.”
Major’s eyes were still narrowed as Colin and Harrison approached.
“Maida, into the house with you,” Harrison said.
“But Grandpa, we just got here.” She threw the Wallers a helpless look.
“I could do with some coffee,” Doc chimed. “Got any on the stove, Harrison?” He headed for the porch steps.
Colin eyed Grandma and knew they had to have been up to something. They’d been tasked long ago with helping Markhel and Maida bond when the time came, and now that it was here, he was kicking himself for not talking to Harrison sooner. With her help and a little more time, he could have convinced Major and Honoria that the pairing of Maida and Markhel was a good thing. Then break it to them that Markhel wasn’t human. But that all went out the window with the big Muiraran’s untimely return. Colin figured he’d have at least a year after Maida turned eighteen to tell them.
Harrison watched Doc saunter into his house, then eyed Markhel. “Don’t you have to get back to town? After all, his royal highness is unguarded with you here.”
“Vale and Makama are fine,” Maida said. “They’re having dinner with Sheriff Tom and his family.” She headed for the porch. “Come along, Markhel.”
Harrison blocked his path. “Not quite yet. Major and I would like a word with you.”
“Grandpa?” Maida hedged.
“Go into the house, darlin’,” Major ordered.