Page 15 of Duty Devoted
Lauren’s voice carried across the yard, warm with suppressed laughter. “Having some translation issues?”
She walked over, and the kids immediately swarmed her, chattering excitedly. She listened, nodding seriously, then turned to us with dancing eyes.
“They think you’re studying flying ants that predict storms.”
“Flying ants?” Jace looked at his equipment. “How did they get flying ants from this?”
Lauren knelt down to the kids’ level and explained in Spanish, using simple words and lots of gestures. The children nodded, finally understanding.
“A grandmother in their village predicts rain by her joint pain,” Lauren translated as the little girl spoke. “She wants to know if your machines work the same way.”
“Similar concept,” I said. “Less arthritis involved.”
The kids peppered us with questions after that, their initial shyness evaporating. Lauren translated, turning our fumbling weather explanations into something that made sense. I found myself watching her more than the kids—the way she gave each child her full attention, never talking down to them or rushing their questions.
“Dr. Lauren is teaching us English,” the little girl announced proudly, her accent heavy but the words clear. “She says I am very smart student.”
“Elena is the smartest,” Lauren confirmed, ruffling her hair.
Dr. Yang emerged from the clinic, smiling at the scene. “Tuesday afternoon lessons,” she explained to me quietly. “Lauren started it her second week here. Now, half the village kids show up.”
Of course she did. Because apparently providing medical care to an entire region wasn’t enough—she had to educate their children too. Each detail I learned made it clearer how deep her roots ran here. Pulling her out was going to be like extracting a tooth.
Elena tugged on Lauren’s sleeve and asked something that made Lauren’s face flush pink.
“What?” I couldn’t help but ask after that blush.
“Elena thinks everyone should get married,” Lauren explained quickly. “Last week, she tried to set me up with the baker’s son.”
The girl pointed at me and said something else that made the other kids giggle.
“Time for you kids to head home,” Lauren said, shooing them toward the road. “Your mothers will wonder where you are.”
The kids protested but eventually scattered, calling goodbyes over their shoulders. As they ran off, Ty and Jace walked toward the clinic with Dr. Yang, leaving Lauren and me on our own.
I noticed two men lounging against a building across the way, watching our interaction with interest. They’d been watching with the same interest when we’d been talking with the kids.
“Shit,” I muttered.
Lauren followed my gaze. “That’s just Pedro and his brother. They’re harmless.”
“They’re witnesses. Tomorrow, the whole region will know about the American weather team at the clinic.”
“So? That’s your cover story.”
“A cover story only works if everyone tells it the same way. Those kids are going home right now, telling their parents about the gringos studying flying ants.”
Lauren crossed her arms. “The people here aren’t spies. They’re farmers and shopkeepers who want to be left alone.”
“Until someone offers them money for information. Or threatens their families. Or?—”
“God, do you ever see anything good in people? Or do you just assume everyone’s either a threat or a potential threat?”
“I see people as they are. Desperate, scared, and willing to do whatever keeps their kids fed.”
“That’s not seeing people as they are. That’s seeing them as you expect them to be.” Her green eyes flashed with anger. “These are good people, Logan. They’re my friends.”
“Your friends who will sell you out the moment the cartel applies pressure.”
