books and papers down on the table. Carmen had gone to pick up Maria at a neighbor's, but she would be returning any minute. "We just didn't wait around for him to hem and haw and decide what to do with us. Maybe that's where my check has gone. That would mean that Mr. Hale already knows Nanny is dead, if this other lawyer has sent out notices."
Another lawyer with the power of their future hanging over their heads. Daniel sighed, then ripped open the first letter and scanned it.
"It's the check for my upkeep." he glanced at Evie. "Do we dare cash it now? If there's a lawyer out there, he might accuse us of stealing."
"How can you steal your own money? Cash it, and let them come find us." Evie crossed her arms defiantly. There was no doubt pots of money sitting around in banks and lawyer's offices all over the country that they were entitled to. She didn't see any reason why they should have to starve and do without while lawyers debated the disposition of all that wealth. "Open the other one."
The other envelope contained a lengthy sheet of vellum that Daniel read quickly, then went back and read more thoroughly. His hands were shaking as he handed it over to Evie.
"My parents are asking Nanny's executor how I am progressing, if it is possible for me to attend a university now that Nanny can no longer look after me. They are willing to continue providing funds for this executor to act as my guardian until I am of age. There isn't any note to me or any mention of condolences. It's a business letter."
"And you're unfinished business, just like Nanny's estate." Evie read the letter with disgust. "If I were you, I'd write to this lawyer and tell him you're ready to accept their offer. Get an education. Get everything out of them that you can. Then when you come of age, go back there and walk in on them and say 'hello, folks, here I am, ready to take over the family business.' I'd like to see their faces."
Daniel managed a painful smile. "It would be even more amusing were I whole again." He folded the letter up and put it in his pocket. "But I'm not going anywhere until we find out about your family. Take the draft and put it in the bank. Jose is practically barefoot, and they can all use new clothes."
Evie glanced at him speculatively. "And you will need transport out of here. This may be all we get. We can't spend much of it."
Daniel looked annoyed as he returned to his reading. "Don't be a goose, Evie. I'll write the lawyer and tell him to forward the money here. We'll be fine. Go deposit the money."
He was hurting, and there wasn't a thing she could do. Quietly, Evie folded the bank draft and put it in her skirt pocket. She had felt the pain of never knowing who her parents were, but it was as nothing compared to knowing she was not wanted. She knew exactly what Daniel was feeling right now.
Returning to the sunshine outdoors, Evie hurried down the alley toward the bank. Tyler had warned her not to go out alone after dark, but she felt no insecurity in traversing the streets during day. This was a small town, and she was always in sight and sound of someone.
The other night had been a fluke with the jailbreak causing so much commotion that her abductor might have got away with it had it not been for Ben and Tyler's quick reactions.
She almost bumped into Mr. Hale as she came around the corner. She caught herself just in time, pulling her skirt out of the dust as he raised his hat and made a gentlemanly bow.
"Mrs. Peyton!" He gave her a look of warm concern. "I am happy to see you doing so well after Saturday night's little contretemps. I tried to be of some assistance, but the sheriff's son shut everyone out. I cannot understand such a thing happening in Mineral Springs."
"Mr. Monteigne believes it was one of the escaped outlaws. I'm certain nothing of the kind will ever happen again." Evie began strolling toward the bank. She wanted to get as much information from this man as she could, but the bank draft was burning in her pocket.
Mr. Hale offered her his arm, and she accepted it, giving him a delighted smile that he promptly