Valley of Shadows by Rudy Ruiz

Author:Rudy Ruiz [Ruiz, Rudy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Published: 2022-08-04T18:06:31+00:00

Solitario had never been inside a library as voluminous as Don Miguel Santander’s. The books stretched from wall to wall and from floor to ceiling. Diffused light filtered into the darkly paneled room through tall windows set between the massive wooden bookcases built into the walls.

He sat on a soft leather couch across from Don Miguel as the mayordomo served them a té de yerba buena. Don Miguel wore a tan suit and black tie. His sunbaked skin contrasted sharply with his crisp white shirt. Solitario liked the man immediately, recognizing by his appearance that despite his high status and wealth, he did not shy away from work on his ranch beneath the punishing sun.

“You come highly recommended by my friend, Gobernador Terrazas,” Don Miguel said. “He assures me you can help bring peace and order to our streets.”

Solitario nodded, “I will do my best, that much I can promise you.”

As they sipped their tea, Don Miguel described the local politics and cautioned him about who was heading the various gangs of bandidos and contrabandistas terrorizing the region. Solitario listened attentively, taking mental notes.

As they finished their tea, the mayordomo tiptoed into the room and whispered into Don Miguel’s ear, cupping his hand over his mouth and glancing nervously at Solitario.

Don Miguel appeared surprised, his eyes widening as he reassessed Solitario. When the mayordomo left the room, Don Miguel knit his thick white eyebrows together and leaned forward. “It appears your arrival has already made an impression.”

Solitario replied with his stone poker face.

“I just heard about my vaqueros tied up and held at gunpoint across the street by your sargento?” Don Miguel said, his question begging an explanation.

“I am glad you brought that up.” Solitario nodded. “Those men were severely mistreating a pinto horse.”

“Is that a crime?”

“Against nature.”

Don Miguel frowned. “I was hoping you would focus on criminals, not my hardworking staff.”

“As the governor mentioned to you, I will enforce the laws and keep the peace, but I will not spare anyone, including those under your employ. That is, if you will still have me.”

Don Miguel scratched his head. “I depend on my vaqueros. I have many cattle and horses. You put me in a difficult . . .”

“Es verdad, Papá,” a graceful voice interrupted him from the corner.

Solitario whipped his head around, recognizing the beautiful face he’d seen high above in the window.

“What is true?” Don Miguel asked the young woman, who wore a mint-green dress that flowed loosely down to her feet.

As he rose to his feet in her presence, all Solitario could think of was that she looked like a princess from a faraway, mystical land, a place where everything did not exist blanketed in dust, but rather embroidered in sparkling finery. Not a remote ranching and trading post in the wilderness, but a shining capital where the streets were paved with cobblestones and the altars were adorned in gold leaf. Her skin was smooth, delicate, and radiant. Her features sharp and elegant. Her eyes green like the fabric she wore.

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