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129 Tamale Ridge by: Chuck Cusimano

“I am worried for my father and I am also worried for my brother,” she continued, “The

doctor from Coyame, is doing all he can for my father, while Raul and the others are looking for

Ramon. I wish I could do something,” she said.

“Señorita, you must be patient. Things will right themselves, I am sure,” said Carlos.

Carlos really liked this girl. She treated him and the rest of Franciscos men as equals and didn’t

act spoiled like she could have.

Rosemarie needed to get her mind off the bad things and her worries. She decided to take a

ride and go to her secret place to work with her colts. She liked to be there by herself, to work at

her leisure, breaking her own young horses. It was unacceptable for a lady to actually do the

things she liked to do, so she needed to hide her actions. She rode out of the yard at a walk and

continued letting her horse walk until he had a chance to stretch his muscles and only then did

she allow him to trot. She thought about how her father, in his delirium, had asked for her

mother. That was proof to her that Francisco truly loved his beloved, Rosa.

Her thoughts were also on the Americano. He was a gentleman. A true Caballero! He was

also the one who saved her life from the kidnapper. She was sure that chances were, the man

wouldn’t have harmed her after all. He could have done so, if he’d really been interested in

doing so. He would have had ample time. Gid, had told her that. The man acted like he wanted

someone to kill him. She suddenly realized she had called the Americano, “Gid”.

Was the white man thinking of her also? She wondered. Did he think of her as “The Señorita”,

or did he call her “Rosemarie?” She rode to her secret place with these thoughts in her mind.

Ramon was once again coming to. There was a strange smell and a lot of smoke. He tried to

raise his head and a gentle hand pushed his head back. He couldn’t get the cobwebs to clear but

he knew he was not alone and he knew, somehow, that whoever was with him, was trying to help

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