ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

With a smile on his face, Jim raised his hat toward Soni. "OohRah, Soni! I've loved every minute."

"Damn!" whispered Jim. "They saw me."


TODAY'S POST:
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
PART 3

Soni heard one of the men yell, "Viste ese hombre aguantado su sombrero de lado a lado desde la cueva?" She covered her eyes, searched the cave entrance, and mumbled under her breath, "Why did Jim stand up and wave his hat at these guys? Is he trying to get us killed?"

Soni pressed her body closer to the boulder. The footsteps were closer now. She slid her trembling body further into the shadows. She mustn't let them find her. She held her breath. Jim can be such an idiot.

"Estas loco? Yo no veo nada."

As she began breathing again, she whispered, "Good. Luckily, only one man saw him, and the others think that guy's crazy."

"Mira! Hay un oso dejando la cueva. Eso es lo que vio." The man pointed.

"A bear came out of the cave. Thank you, Grandfather," prayed Soni. "Again, you rescued Jim. I'm sure that man won't mention to anybody about a disappearing bear. I wish they'd leave. What are they waiting for?"

The crunch of dried leaves drew their gaze. The man who had captured Jim stumbled into the open.

The crack of a pistol, and then a sound of a thud caused Soni to cringe.

Within moments, the four men mounted their horses and left the dead man where he had fallen. They followed the tracks Goliath, Mack, and the horses had made.

Soni bit her lower lip. "I guess that's what they were waiting for." With closed eyes, she remained hidden behind the boulder.

A tap on the shoulder caused Soni to respond with her knife readied.

"Lower your knife, it's makes me nervous." Jim took a step back. "I come in peace. Are you all right?"

"Of course, I'm all right." Soni rose. "I was almost bitten by a rattler. When you waved at the men, the men came close enough I could smell their sweat. Luckily only one man saw you. The other's thought he was crazy. Then a bullet flew over my head killing a man. He's lying right over there. Why wouldn't I be just fine?" She brushed dust from her jeans.

"Would you put the knife away?"

"Did you thank Grandfather for saving your stupid ass, again?" Soni turned away. "Or were you too afraid of the bear?"

Jim grabbed her arm. "Wait a minute!"

She yanked away her arm. "Don't ever grab me like that again." Her knife was still in her hand.

He put his hand by his side and continued, "I'm tired of your constant insults. I made one mistake. I should have told you my real name, but for your safety, I couldn't. I'm sorry for that, but I think my debt's paid in full."

"Why did you wave your stupid hat at the men? I heard them mention Littleton. I got the impression he's working with them. Are you too? Were you trying to get me killed or alert them to our plan?"

"If you must know, I was saluting you." Jim's glare met her eyes.

"Saluting me? What for?"

Jim stepped closer and kissed her. "There's your answer." He walked off, stopped, turned and asked, "When are those dogs bringing our horses? I can't wait to get out of here." He continued to walk away.