official word arrived with James Peyton later that day that Tyler had indeed won half of the saloon, Evie showed no interest in the news. She finished setting food on the table and took her place, insisting on grace before she allowed anyone to eat. While the others chattered excitedly about the news, Evie silently chewed her food.
She didn't want to hear about Tyler. He had taken the opportunity for freedom that she had handed him with an alacrity that was embarrassing. She didn't know why she had been foolish enough to think a man like that needed her in any way but one. And now he had a whole saloon full of women at his command to take care of that particular need. And Starr wouldn't forget to prevent babies.
Damning Tyler to the hell he deserved, Evie rose from the table and returned to her painting. The light stayed strong for a few hours yet at this time of year. She was almost finished, and she wanted it done so she could shove it out of her life. It wasn't turning out as well as she had expected, but she disliked leaving a project unfinished. And the portrait of Maria seemed to be fairly decent. When she was done, she could put the whole thing behind her and look for something new to do.
* * *
The sunlight prevented Tyler from seeing in the front window of the little house behind the livery, but he knew she was standing there, working on that damned painting as she had every night these last weeks. Manuel had told him what she was doing when he'd asked about the light that came on in there every night. She was going to ruin her eyes just like her father had if she didn't give it up pretty soon.
Tyler turned away. It wasn't any of his business any longer. Hale had served him with some papers that had enjoined him from being in Evie's company and told him that the marriage was legally null and void, but he hadn't seen Evie's writing on the papers anywhere, and he'd thrown them out. He'd thought he could walk away now that Evie had found what she wanted, but he didn't seem able to make the move. He still felt married, and he wanted to know for certain that Evie didn't feel that way any longer.
He had seen her eating dinner with Hale twice, and even Kyle Harding had been over, sniffing around again. Rumors were rampant, but Tyler hadn't given credence to any of them. Not until he heard the words from Evie would he begin to believe.
So he supposed he ought to talk to Evie, but he couldn't bring himself to do it just yet. He needed to dig her out of his flesh first. She was the glue holding him together. He had to see if he could still walk away without her. Winning that card game was the first step toward independence.
Tyler started throwing his clothes in the valise he had brought here with him. He owned half of a saloon. The jubilant triumph of that knowledge warred with the other Tyler, the one who didn't want any ties. He could lose the damned saloon as easily as he had gained it. He couldn't look at it as his. But the pride of ownership kept creeping up on him.
He could show Evie and the whole town that he could be somebody. The saloon was just a start. He had enough in the bank to buy a herd of cattle if he chose. And the sum he had won at this last card game would give him enough to live on for quite a while. He didn't even need to gamble if he didn't want to. He could become a rancher, or run for sheriff against Powell, or anything else he applied his mind to.
But his mind was on Evie.
Not acknowledging that thought, Tyler slammed the valise shut and started out the door. Ben met him on the stairs.
Ben threw the valise a shrewd look, then narrowed his eyes as he looked back to Tyler. "Going somewhere?"
"I'm a landowner now. I've got to look after my property." Tyler pushed by him and continued down the stairs.
Ben followed. "Thought for a minute there you might be thinking of leaving town. You have a tendency to do that when things start tying you down."
"I'll go when I'm damned good and ready to go. There's still some unfinished