Page 37 of Duty Devoted
She nodded and pushed the bundle toward me again. “Juane. My abuela make it. Rice, beans, eggs inside bijao leaves. Stay good for long time, no get bad.”
I accepted the offering, the weight of it substantial in my hands. The leaves were still warm. “Thank you. But you need to go home before?—”
Her gaze had already moved past me to where Lauren slept. “Dr. Lauren is sad?”
“She’s tired. Yesterday was…difficult.”
“She save my aunt and new baby.” Pride blazed in her voice. “My cousin, she is perfect. Beautiful.”
“I know. Dr. Lauren is very good at helping people.”
Elena fixed me with an unnervingly direct stare. “You keep her safe from bad men?”
Something twisted in my chest. “I’m going to try.”
“Good.” She turned toward the supplies I’d laid out on the table, considering them. “You need cup for water when you travel?”
“Yes, but…” Christ. I’d been trying to figure out water collection without proper containers.
Before I could finish the sentence, she was gone, the door closing silently behind her. I stood there holding the leaf-wrapped food, caught between gratitude and concern. Every minute she was gone increased our exposure.
I moved to the cot and touched Lauren’s shoulder. “Time to wake up.”
She stirred slowly, green eyes unfocused in the dim light. For a heartbeat, I saw confusion there. Then memory crashed into her like an explosion. I watched it happen, saw her shoulders bow under the weight of Carlos’s death, our failed escape, being hunted.
But then her jaw set. She straightened, pushing tangled honey-blonde hair from her face with steady hands. The transformation from victim to survivor took seconds, and something in my chest responded to that strength.
“What time is it?” Her voice was rough with sleep but controlled.
“Almost dawn. We need to move.”
She swung her legs off the cot, then noticed the bundle in my hands. “Where did you get that?”
“I—”
The door opened again. Elena reappeared carrying a battered tin cup and a small packet, freezing when she saw Lauren awake.
“Elena?” Lauren’s entire demeanor shifted, warmth flooding her features.
“Dr. Lauren!” The girl flew across the small space into Lauren’s open arms. “I know you no go away without saying goodbye.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Lauren’s voice caught as she held the child close, one hand smoothing dark hair. “How did you know where to find us?”
“The new baby cry all night. Keep waking up. I look out window and see Señor Logan when he go outside.” Elena pulled back, pressing the tin cup into Lauren’s hands with solemn ceremony. “For water in jungle. And this—” She produced the small packet with a mischievous grin. “Coffee from my mama’s special hiding place. Shh, is secret.”
Lauren’s eyes grew bright with unshed tears. “Elena, you wonderful girl. But you know I have to leave, right? It’s not safe for me to stay.”
“I know. The bad men come for you.”
“You can’t tell anyone you saw us. Not your best friend, not your abuela, no one. Promise me.”
“I promise.” Elena dug into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled dollar bill. “Take this. For help you.”
“Elena, no?—”
“I save for when Papa go to Ciudad del Este. To buy pretty ribbon. But you need more than ribbon.”
Lauren’s hands trembled as she folded Elena’s small fingers back around the money. “You keep it. Buy the prettiest ribbon you can find.”
