Page 89 of The Ranger

“No, it’s about that Markhel and the noise he was making earlier. About scared me to death. I saw him in here when I came out of the bank earlier then someone slammed the door closed!”

Sheriff Tom shut one eye and peered at her with the other. “That would be on account of the noise. There was less of it after the door was closed, wasn’t there?”

“Well, yes, but...” She peeked past everyone at the cell area, gasped, then marched for the door. “And there he is! Passed out! I knew it! Why, the man’s a lush!” She took a second look. “Why is there a kitten on his chest?”

Vale exchanged a look with Lany before they both caught the look on the sheriff’s face. He appeared to be counting to ten while studying a fingernail. “Fanny, everything’s been taken care of. You have no reason to be here.”

“Well! I never, I’m just trying to be a good citizen and report disturbances.” She spun to Paddy. “And you! Serving a man drinks at this time of day!”

Paddy stepped back; his mouth opened in shock. “Ye know I don’t open until this afternoon!”

“Well how else did he get so inebriated?”

“Fanny,” Irene snapped. “Mind your own business and leave everyone alone. We’ve got things to attend to.” She led Grandma from the office and started up the street.

“Irene, Grandma, wait!” Fanny took off after them.

Lany sighed in relief. “Glad that’s over. Sheriff, can you handle things here?”

“What do you mean, handle them? Are you expecting trouble?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t going to be more of the same thing.” He glanced at the cell area. Markhel was out like a light, Tylahs happily purring on top of him. “We need to go to the Cookes’ place.”

Sheriff Tom nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. Go ahead, we can handle things here. Now that we have an idea of what happens.”

Lany gave him a sage nod. He motioned to Vale and Makama to precede him out the door. “I’ll fetch Tylahs, we might need him.”

Vale’s eyes went wide. “Oh, dear, this won’t be pretty.” He took Makama by the hand. “Your relatives are going to, as you say, freak, if they see Tylahs.”

“Shona told me it wouldn’t be the first time. They brought him along when they matched my father and mother on their first assignment. To think they performed that assignment only months ago, when for my parents, it’s been well over a hundred years. It’s all so mind boggling.” She leaned against the hitching post. “We’re not blowing this, are we?”

“Blowing?”

“Messing it up by spending private time together?”

Vale took her into his arms. “No, darling. What good would we be to Markhel and Maida, if we’re weak and starving? We must feed our joined heart just as Markhel and Maida will have to learn how to feed theirs. Once it’s joined, that is.”

Lany came out and headed for the livery stable. “Let’s get going. The sooner we assess what sort of shape Maida’s in, the sooner we can figure out how long this is going to take.”

“But shouldn’t Kwaku or Zara be doing the assessing?” Vale asked as they hurried after him.

“Not until it gets really bad.” He patted his pocket. “Right little buddy?”

“Rightsssk!” Tylahs called and poked a leg out. He gave them a little wave then made a chittering sound.

“What’s he laughing about?” Makama asked.

“He has a bigger role on this assignment. He’s excited, that’s all.” Lany entered the livery stable, and Mr. Adams the blacksmith helped them hitch up the horses. They were on their way in no time, and Vale did his best to relax. They’d missed the first major Call Maida sang, and he felt bad about it. He hoped his guilt didn’t get in the way of things. Makama seemed to take things like this in stride. As in, “a girl’s gotta eat,” sort of attitude. And that was fine for her on most occasions. But on this one, he could tell she was worried.

For him, his sense of duty nagged that he’d better stay on top of things. His sense of duty had better loosen its grip or he might end up being too wound up to take care of his wife.

When they reached the Triple-C, nothing seemed amiss. Vale and Makama knocked on Maida’s front door, but no one answered. Makama glanced at him then opened it.

“What are you doing?” he hissed.

“It’s open, maybe they’re upstairs.” She went inside. “Hello?”

Belle came to the stair landing. “Oh, thank goodness, it’s you. Come on up.” She just as quickly disappeared down the hall.