Page 171 of The Ranger

For a moment his heart stopped at the sound of her voice. “Maida…”

She pulled at her bonds as her captor kicked his horse and headed their way. “Make sure none of these gentlemen follow us,” he shouted.

Maida cried out, probably realizing the gravity of the situation. Her captor clamped a hand over her mouth. She bit him, hard.

“Ouch!” He tried again as he carried her off. And that’s when she looked at Markhel, bit her captor again, and yelled, “Feed!”

He knew he had only minutes to work with. He turned to what men remained. The surly group looked like they’d like nothing more than to make sport of Harrison and Major. And of course, him.Especiallyhim.

“I’m looking forward to this!” Mick, the one with the black eye said. He pushed up his sleeves.

“Now see here!” Harrison protested. “There’s more than twenty of you and only three of us! Those arenotvery sporting odds.”

“At least we ain’t gonna shoot ya!” one of them chortled.

They shoved Harrison into the street. It wasn’t long before Paddy came running out of the salon—right into several gun barrels. He put his hands up, looked at Markhel, and sighed in relief. “Well, lad, seems like you’re in luck.”

Markhel growled, bared his teeth, then hissed like panther.

“That’s a good lad. Up for a scrape?”

“Paddy, what are you doing?” Harrison screeched from the street.

Paddy smiled. “Ye’ll see.” He grinned like a loon. “Markhel, lad. Are ye hungry?”

Markhel reached for the nearest thing, one of the saloon’s porch posts. He pulled it free with a single yank then gave it a twirl.

Those closest to him, blanched. Every eye was on him now. Half the men backed up. This put two of the Bolger brothers at the forefront of the group. Alone.

“Uh, John?” Mick said.

John gulped. “Yeah?”

Mick hunched his shoulders and cringed. “Maybe we shoulda thought this through.”

John gave him the side-eye. “I think it’s a little late for that Mick.”

Major was still gawking at Markhel as Paddy laughed. “Ye got that right!” He narrowed his eyes at the large group as Harrison wisely slipped into the sheriff’s office. “Go ahead Markhel,” Paddy called. “Enjoy yer meal.”

Markhel roared, and lunged.

34

Maida should have been scared but she wasn’t. Instead, she was angry.

She pulled at her bonds, trying to free herself, but they were too tight. She kept looking around as the horse cantered across the prairie. There were several other riders flanking her captor’s horse. She didn’t know who they were, what they wanted, or why there were so many of them. At least ten men filed into the mercantile, pointed guns at everyone, then proceeded to shove the Dunnigans into the back room. They locked them in the small storeroom Mrs. Dunnigan used as a fitting room, then took Grandpa and her outside. They said if she did anything stupid, they’d shoot him. The Wallers were at the ranch, as were the Van Cleets. She had no idea if the Drakes were in town; they might be out checking on folks. If Sheriff Tom was on rounds or out collecting prizes for the calk walk, then they were doomed. It was one of the problems with living in such a small town. There might not be anyone around when you needed them.

They approached the tree line and no sign of anyone coming after them. By the time Sheriff Tom got back into town and formed a posse, would it be too late? But Markhel would come for her. She knew it. But first he’d have to feed. She knew that too, and considering the situation, she didn’t mind one bit. But how long would it take him to find her?

The riders reached the tree line and rode into the woods. She tried twisting in the saddle to look behind them, but her captor pinned her against him. “You’ll stay quiet if you know what’s good for you,” he warned.

She gulped as the first trickle of fear returned. She’d been afraid when they took her, then angry that they were taking her from Markhel. But now... she wasn’t sure what to think or feel.

Then she sensed something. “What is that?”

Her captor clapped a hand over her mouth. “I said be quiet.”

She nodded and shut up. A chill went up her spine, and she began to scan the woods surrounding them. There were no sounds of birds or other wildlife. How strange.

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