Chapter 23With Madison at his side, Adam rode up to the Aztec guards at the gate of the Lazy E homestead. He dismounted and walked over to them, relieved to see that he and Madison were recognized. The guards grinned, showing their crimson teeth. He spoke a couple of words that Mecatl had taught him. The guards’ eyes widened in surprise and then both babbled rapidly.
He held up his hands. “Whoa. Whoa. Do either of you speak English?”
“I speak.” The face of the man who hit his chest was time worn and swarthy. “I speak good.”
“Miss Ellen and Mister Elijah need your help,” Adam said. “They told us you could be trusted. I need you to keep an eye on them and keep them safe.”
The guards’ faces darkened, and they fingered the knives they wore. “We watch. Watch good. You want someone killed?”
