ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

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

"Saluting me? Why?"

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 around the mesa.

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 24
Part 5

"Now what do I do?" Soni sat on a boulder, shoulders slumped, and stared at the horizon. Furrows in her brow signified her inner conflict. "I really messed things up this time." She tilted her head. "Grandfather?"

"Yes, my child."

"I'm sure you know what happened." After Kuruk responded that he did, Soni continued, "Any ideas how I can fix this?"

"Which mess? The one with the cartel or the one you got yourself in with Jim?"

"What do you mean with Jim or Jacob, whatever his name is? He lied to me. This man can't be trusted. You and Dad have always taught me the importance of being honest."

"Being dishonest is a character flaw. Jim did what he believed was right at the time; to protect you. His reasons were honorable."

"You believe I'm being too hard on him."

"I believe you're hard on him because you care deeply, and it scares you. You're looking for a fault so you won't care so much." There was a long silence, before Kuruk added, "Sonsee-array, quit ignoring your feelings. Follow your heart."

"Should I go after him? If I do, what should I say?" Soni listened for a few moments. "Great! Now I'm on my own."

Soni heard a chuckle and a, "You are never alone, my child." She stood and brushed dust from her jeans before she stepped down from the boulder.

The shrubbery rustled as Goliath and Mack walked through, each with a horse rein in his mouth. They dropped the reins and ran to Soni with tails wagging in circles.

"I'm glad you're back. I was worried about you guys." She rubbed both dogs' necks. "We need to get going before we're discovered." She paused. "I'd better get Jim."

Goliath headed in Jim's direction.

"No, boy. This is something I need to do. You stay here." Soni took a deep breath. "I need to eat crow."

Soni found Jim on the back side of the mesa. He sat with his back toward her, throwing pebbles at a prickly pear cactus. She watched for a few moments.

After a few attempts to find her voice, she muttered, "Jim."

He turned. "Are the dogs and horses back?" He stood and walked toward her. She nodded, and he continued, "Good. Let's get going. I don't want those guys to get too much of a lead."

She reached out her hand and touched his arm. "I owe you an apology."

"You do, but there's plenty of time for that after we catch some bad guys. Ready?" Jim grinned and faced her. With both hands on her shoulders, he said, "I understand. We'll talk about it later."

"Thank you."

*****

"What happened to Mack? I don't smell him." Jim wiped his brow.

"I think Grandfather helped us out. I've never known him to cure skunk odor before, but why not?" Soni smiled. "He does everything else."

As they followed the trail the four Hispanic men left, Jim said, "I haven't had a chance to catch you up on the happenings at the ranch."

"Let me guess, Grandfather checked himself out of the hospital." Soni laughed.

"He did. He and Jack arrived in a Taxi."

Soni dismounted, knelt, and touched some tracks. "I'm not surprised. Look at this." She pointed toward a fork in the road. "They met up with about five other men and went west."

Jim joined her. "You're right. Do we follow?"

After chewing on her lower lip, Soni climbed on Smoky. "Let's go."

He mounted Paco. "You know it could be an ambush."

Gently hitting her forehead on the saddle's horn, she said, "Nine to one, I like those odds."