Read Online Breath of the Feathered Serpent by Pelaam - Free Book Online Page B

if they were all old friends. He led them through to the hotel’s restaurant.
    “Beer or wine, gentlemen?” he asked.
    Adam and Madison exchanged a glance. “Beer, for both of us. Wine’s a bit too rich for our tastes,” Madison said.
    The waiter took the drink order and returned with beer for Adam and Madison and a glass of wine for Abe. He took their food order. Adam and Madison chose the pork chops, and Abe the roast beef.
    They chatted as they ate, and the evening passed by uneventfully. Abe was excited at the idea of going to his ranch the next day.
    “Look, Abe. Don’t leave too early. Me and Adam will meet you there after lunch. How’s that?” Madison asked.
    “That would be wonderful. I can’t afford too much, but you could stay at the ranch. I can cook. I’ve already bought a whole pile of supplies.” Abe looked hopefully from Adam to Madison and back again.
    “Let us speak with Mortimer at the Lazy E,” Adam said. “I’m sure we can do something around your place.”
    “Oh, thank you,” Abe said and put his hand over Adam’s.
    Adam patted it gently and then removed it. He liked the pretty, innocent young man, but he was most certainly not interested in bedding him.
    “Well, thanks for the meal. Not every day you get to eating in posh surroundings like this with linen and all,” Madison said.
    He and Adam rose, and Abe followed them through to the foyer.
    “I really appreciate having some friends,” Abe said softly. “I didn’t have many back East, and they were horrified I was coming out West. They were all convinced I’d be eaten by cannibals within a week. I enjoyed your company, gentlemen. I truly did.”
    “Then you listen to us,” Adam said. “Don’t go to the ranch until after noon. We’ll see you then. Be careful riding out there, too.”
    “Thank you, Adam. I will. Goodnight.” Abe smiled, and headed towards the stairs. He glanced back and waved.
    “I like him,” Madison said, “but he’s way too trusting.”
    “I hope he finds someone to keep an eye on him.” Adam rubbed his chin. “He needs a keeper. Well, come on. We didn’t get far today, and time’s ticking on.”
    Side by side, they headed back to the saloon.

Chapter Twelve
    Early the next morning, Adam and Madison headed back to the Lazy E. However, Mortimer was feeling unwell and declined to leave his room.
    “Sorry, but Uncle has the last say in regards to the men working here,” Elijah said.
    Ellen snorted.
    “That a problem?” Adam asked. “Doesn’t he pick good ranch hands?”
    “I’d trust our men,” Ellen said, her voice hard. “The ones here before Pa...died. But I don’t trust Uncle Mortimer’s choices. They seem...shifty. Can’t put my finger on it. But they’re too casual. Don’t show any respect.”
    “They are overfamiliar,” Elijah said.
    The young man shuddered, and Adam was at his side in two steps. “Any of them touch you?” he asked from between gritted teeth.
    Elijah’s eyes widened at Adam’s tone. He smiled and shook his head. “They wouldn’t dare. They get a little too close, a little too cocky, but they seem to respect Uncle Mortimer.”
    “I’d fire each and every last one of them,” Ellen said passionately. “Well, since Uncle’s not getting up today, you won’t know if he’s decided to offer you any work. Sorry, boys, but you’ll just have to come back.”
    “We understand,” Adam said. His hand hovered close to Elijah, where he’d stopped beside him. He’d been about to touch Elijah’s arm, a reflex to comfort him, but he hesitated. The decision was taken from him as Elijah stepped forward, and Adam’s hand grasped the young man’s shoulder as if it had a mind of its own.
    “I’ll see you again,” Elijah murmured and leaned forward slightly.
    It would have been so easy to close that small distance to Elijah’s full, pink lips, but Adam didn’t dare. Not there. Not then, perhaps not ever. He was sure that once he’d tasted Elijah, he’d