Page 91 of The Ranger
“And if we tell you to leave,” Honoria said. “Which I believe my mother has already done?”
“We will respect that, but you must understand, what has been set in motion, must proceed. If you do not allow this, Maida could be harmed.”
“No,” Honoria stated. “You may have taken my cousins from us, but you’re not taking my daughter.” Her jaw tightened as her mouth pressed into a firm line.
Lany glanced at Vale then pulled Tylahs from the pocket of his jacket. “Please, I need to let him check her, make sure she’s all right.”
Honoria took one look at Tylahs and laughed. “A kitten?”
“He’s more than that,” Lany said. “He will soothe her.”
Honoria waved him away. “She doesn’t need to be soothed she’s sleeping. In fact, she’snotwaking up.”
“She’s recovering,” he said. “Tylahs can assess any damage that may have happened as a result of the Call.” He took a cautious step forward and was met with a dagger of a glare from Honoria.
Lany held up one hand as if showing her he was unarmed. But that wasn’t the case. Tylahs could kill everyone in the room if he wanted. Thankfully, he wasn’t an ill-tempered Sarian.
“Just let me give her the... kitten.” Lany looked at Tylahs, probably to see if he was indeed in his cat form. He was.
Vale breathed a sigh of relief then took Makama by the hand. This assignment wasn’t going like he imagined. Makama wore her disappointment like a shroud. She so wanted to meet and get to know her father’s relatives, but so far only Colin and Belle were friendly toward her. He knew Belle was only trying to help by telling Maida’s mother and grandmother why they were in Clear Creek, but obviously they
were having none of it. Great Scott, if this was their reaction, what were Maida’s father and grandfather going to do?
He tried not to think about it as Lany inched forward and gently set Tylahs loose on the bed.
18
“Couldn’t someone have provided a horse and wagon and dropped us off at the tree line?”
Melvale glanced up from his book. Kitty was dressed in a green velvet traveling outfit with a matching hat. Her hair had been styled in the latest fashion of the day, and as fetching as she looked, he’d have to keep an extra close eye on her. Besides, she was just as man crazy as ever, which drove Time Master Dallan mad. He was beginning to understand the man’s angst. Still, he enjoyed Kitty Morgan’s company, and if anyone could give him a different view of what might be going on with Maida and Markhel, it was her.
He made a show of clearing his throat. “We are posing as a well-to-do pair of travelers. Siblings on a quest to see the west.”
“Except we don’t look anything alike,” she pointed out.
“Well, it’s not as if we’re pretending to be twins.” He turned a page. “Besides, we’ll be in Clear Creek soon enough. Well to do people ride the train, not a horse.”
She crossed her arms and made a ‘harrumph’ sound.
“You’re beginning to sound like Irene.” He eyed her over the book then set it aside. They were sitting at the front of the train car in seats facing each other. They were also the only two passengers. A blessing really, they could speak freely.
“We might as well go over what we’re to do,” he said. “You’re to find out what’s been going on with Maida while I check on my brother.”
“That’s simple enough. A lot of the Cookes know me.”
“Yes, but when did they see you last?” He leaned toward her. “When were you in Clear Creek?”
She frowned. “Oh.”
“Exactly, and that could be a problem. With luck, no one will recognize you. It’s been too long. Let’s see, Dallan and Shona’s first assignment was…?”
“Oh, gawwwsh,” she breathed. “1858?”
“Yes, and now it’s forty years later for these people.”
“But it’s only been a few months for me,” she said, wide eyed.
“The beauty of being the BFF of a Time Master’s wife.” He smiled. “Hopefully none of these people will remember you. But they will remember me. I’ve been there more recently. As in, 1891. Tillie White’s match to Andrew Beaumont.”