"As a matter of fact, I have given thought to what we discussed the other day. I have already written Evangeline, you understand, but wouldn't it be better if you were to write her immediately and tell her what you know? Her wedding is a few short months from now, and it would be so much better if her concerns were answered quickly."
Hale hesitated, giving her a quick look. "As a matter of fact," he said carefully, "I have been trying to get in touch with Miss Howell. You'll understand that I am not in a position to divulge the details. I have left my card with both her guardian and her legal adviser in St. Louis, but I have not heard from either of them."
Evie was jubilant, but she didn't dare reveal anything yet. If she could only tell him who she was... it would save a great deal of time and worry. But the abductor the other night made her give Tyler's and Daniel's warnings more consideration than she would have otherwise. She was almost positive she knew who her mother was, and Hale had insinuated at her father's name. Those were pieces of information she could savor for a long time. It wouldn't hurt to wait for the rest of the details.
"Her guardian has only recently died, sir. I'm sure there is an amount of confusion involved. She will be in touch, particularly if she receives my letter. I thank you so much for your kindness, Mr. Hale." They had come to the alley by the hotel, and Evie held out her hand in farewell. For some reason, she was reluctant to let him see where she was staying, although he certainly seemed to know everything about her.
"May I be so bold as to ask for your company one evening over dinner, Mrs. Peyton? It is not often that we have an attractive young woman in this town, and I will admit to being most interested in you."
She hadn't thought she'd made much of an impression at all on this dry stick of a man. Evie hid her surprise at his request. "I would be honored, Mr. Hale, but as I have told Mr. Harding, it is rather difficult for me. My brother suffered an accident and is confined to bed, and the Rodriguez children look to me for their welfare while we search for their uncle. Perhaps another time."
He bowed over her hand. "I will find some way to see you again. However, I am unhappy to inform you that I have heard the children's uncle was killed in California some years ago. You may do better to let the town see to their placement in homes."
Evie frowned at this piece of news, and absently dismissed the lawyer before going her own way. Why would Mr. Hale have heard of the death of someone in California, if the man's own niece and nephews hadn't heard of it? But Mr. Hale had been so extremely helpful in other ways, she couldn't just put the information aside.
She needed time to assess all the facts and innuendos she had accumulated this day, but as she walked in the door, the sight of Tyler spread-eagled on the floor decimated all else.
Maria and Jose sat on each of his arms and Manuel held his legs. When Evie entered, Tyler looked up and began scattering children across the floor. They giggled and laughed and came back for more, climbing into his lap and pulling on his arms and wrapping small arms around his neck to try to pull him down again. Evie gaped, amazed.
"It's the only way I could keep them all in one place," Tyler explained, embarrassed, as he rose from the floor with Maria still clinging to his neck and Jose hanging on to his knee.
"Where are Carmen and Daniel?" Instantly on the alert, Evie looked to the pallet where Daniel usually lay. Finding it empty, she started for the back bedroom door.
"I'm fine, Evie," Daniel called from his bed. "They're just making a fuss about nothing. I need food more than I need a doctor."
Tyler pulled the youngest leech off his neck and dropped her into Evie's arms. "He was trying to stand and the pestilence here knocked him over." He tickled Maria on the belly, sending her off into a fit of giggles. Obviously, she felt no remorse. "Carmen's gone to find the doctor."
"Oh, Daniel, no!" Carrying Maria into the bedroom with her, Evie tried to determine the