Ambush at Shadow Valley by Ralph Cotton

cooled as quickly as he’d heated. Changing the subject he said, ‘‘Riding with me is going to get better and better, Nate. Just keep watching. Once we hook up with the Hole-in-the-wall boys, we’re going to be the top aces in the deck.’’
    â€˜â€˜I believe it,’’ said Ransdale. He looked back at the naked woman and saw her turn and walk back toward them. ‘‘If I ever doubted it to begin with, I sure don’t doubt it now.’’
    Soto also watched the woman. ‘‘If I’m not mistaken, this hidden trail she’s taking us on is going to cut two days off our getting around these hillsides to where we’re heading.’’
    â€˜â€˜Can you tell me just where it is we’re going, yet?’’ Ransdale asked carefully.
    Soto turned his eyes from the naked woman and looked Ransdale up and down. Grinning firmly he said, ‘‘To an old mining project. The people there used to work for my family. Once we get there, we won’t care if the ranger catches up to us. In fact we might welcome it as a source of amusement.’’
    When Clarimonde stepped out of the braided stream and stooped down to pick up her dress, Ransdale reached out his hand and firmly gripped her wet, glistening buttocks. ‘‘A few years ago I couldn’t do that without burning my hand, eh, whore?’’ He squeezed harder, staring at her long, wet hair. ‘‘You’ve lost some of the fire and honey since then. Hair is about all you’ve got left.’’
    Clarimonde stopped what she was doing and froze in place, making no effort to resist as he roughly joggled her by the flesh of her behind.
    â€˜â€˜Get over here, whore,’’ Ransdale said suddenly, his free hand going to loosen his belt. ‘‘I’ve seen all I can stand.’’
    Clarimonde gave Soto a look that said little, yet seemed to call upon him to intervene.
    â€˜â€˜Save it, Nate,’’ said Soto. ‘‘We’ve got to get going. I’ve told you how important it is to get above these hills.’’
    â€˜â€˜I know,’’ said Ransdale, letting out a breath and turning the woman loose with a slight shove. ‘‘I was just seeing how well we’re training her to do what we want.’’ He sat upright, then pushed up onto his feet.
    Clarimonde said humbly, ‘‘I have told you I will do whatever either of you want me to—’’
    In spite of her passive tone, the back of Ransdale’s gloved hand swung around sharply across her face and cut her off. ‘‘Keep your mouth shut, whore!’’ he said. ‘‘Unless one of us tells you to open it.’’
    Landing on her side in the dirt, she looked up at Soto as blood began to trickle down the edge of her lips. But Soto showed no sign of sympathy for her as he stood up and dragged her to her feet. Looking at the dirt down her side, he gave Ransdale an icy stare.
    â€˜â€˜I guess I get a little carried away sometimes,’’ Ransdale said with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his gloved gun hand. ‘‘The whore’s jaw is hard as a rock. Lucky I didn’t bust a knuckle on it.’’
    â€˜â€˜Gain control of yourself,’’ Soto said solemnly. ‘‘What good are you to me with an injured gun hand?’’
    â€˜â€˜Come on, Suelo,’’ Ransdale said, hoping to lighten things up. ‘‘My hand’s all right. That was just a manner of speaking. I’d never break my hand over a whore. I just snapped, let her get to me for a minute, is all.’’
    Soto seemed not to hear him. Still holding Clarimonde by her forearm, Soto looked her up and down and helped her brush dirt from her side with his free hand. ‘‘Are you all right?’’ he asked quietly, holding her close to him, so close she could feel his breath on her