Valley of Stars by Ava Miles

Author:Ava Miles [Miles, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ava Miles Inc.
Published: 2019-09-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Michaela’s firm grip on Boyd’s hand helped him work through his shock and grief. She was back in his life for good, and if there were an animal heaven—which Boyd secretly wished were the case—he hoped Marvin would know.

Sironka had taken it upon himself to usher Clara through the final ascent to his village, and he still had his arm around her as they reached the outside fencing. Hargreaves had kept pace with the other warriors, but Boyd and Michaela had slowed down to keep Arthur company, using their shock as the reason. He’d been puffing from the elevation, although Boyd had been quick to assure him the Loita Hills were higher in elevation than his home in Dare Valley.

Of course, Arthur hadn’t believed him, calling out for Hargreaves to confirm it. Apparently the man was as versed in trivia as he was in everything else. After Hargreaves’ confirmation, Arthur had muttered, “A man my age shouldn’t take on elevation bigger than he was used to,” but he’d kept going.

“Arthur!” Clara called out. “You dear man. We made it.”

He emitted a grumble, breathing hard. Boyd had thought to lend him a hand as they walked, but the man’s pride was strong. He had to respect that.

Hundreds of people had gathered to greet them in the village, all dressed in the traditional red Maasai plaid, many of the women wearing beautiful braid-and-beadwork headdresses. But what almost stopped Boyd in his tracks was the smattering of elderly people in the crowd, their thickly shorn white hair stark against their dark skin. His skin broke into goose bumps. Life expectancy for the Maasai was in the low forties, and these folks looked to be in their seventies and eighties, if he were correct.

He leaned close to Michaela’s ear. “Have you noticed—”

“The old people?” she whispered, her eyes wide.

“What are you two murmuring about?” Arthur asked.

Boyd shut his mouth. They could investigate this later.

A young woman came forward out of the crowd and placed a baby swaddled in red- and blue-checkered plaid in Clara’s arms. She beamed as she touched the sweet face.

“Goodness, they’re giving that woman a baby,” Arthur said with gusty sigh. “I’m really starting to believe in the visions of these people. It’s like they knew…”

Boyd nudged Michaela. “Don’t they only do that at marriage ceremonies? Joseph! Can you come here for a moment?”

The man broke off from the warrior he was speaking with and crossed to him. “What’s the significance of giving Clara the child?” he asked.

“I’ve never seen that happen before, Dr. Boyd. We must ask Sironka.”

“Arthur!” Clara called over her shoulder. “Come! Sironka wants to introduce you to his parents and their chief.”

“Perhaps they are giving my uncle and aunt special respect because they’re elders,” Michaela said. “They obviously have a number of them.”

“Yes, it is unique to their village,” Joseph said, nodding with a mysterious smile. “Like Mr. and Mrs. Hale and Master Hargreaves, they have seen many seasons.”

Boyd’s palms started to sweat, but he reached for Michaela’s hand at the same instant she reached for him.

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