book. "Unless you mean to help us, I don't see any reason why we should see each other again."
She caught up her skirt and regally climbed the stairs without him.
Tyler stared after her. Women didn't walk away from him. It was a fact of life he had taken for granted. And women he had taken to bed not only didn't walk away, but clung like thorny roses. It had never occurred to him that she could just walk away and he would have absolutely no claim to say anything about it.
He didn't like the feeling one little bit. Reason told him that he ought to let the spoiled brat go. He had better things to do than to baby-sit a pair of greenhorns with trouble up their sleeves. And she was the kind of woman he had sworn long ago not to touch. She was doing him a favor by walking out. But reason had nothing to do with the fury steaming out his ears. He hit the steps running.
Tyler grabbed the edge of her door as she opened it, standing with his back against it so she had to brush by him to enter her room. Evie threw him a wary glance and refused to enter.
"I never said I wouldn't help. You've just never told me what you needed done." Smiling at her wouldn't do any good, Tyler reflected. He had smiled at her before, and she had all but slapped him in the face. If he couldn't get under her skin with his looks and charm, what in hell would it take?
Frowning, she crossed her arms over her chest. "I am not one of your women, Tyler Monteigne. I want that perfectly understood."
Tyler relaxed and leaned against the door jamb, mockingly crossing his arms in imitation of her stance. "Yes, ma'am. I prefer a little experience on my women, anyway."
That struck where it hurt, but Evie's didn't flinch. "Fine, then you can wait until Daniel comes back to hear our story, if that's what you like. But unless you mean to help us, I don't see any purpose in it."
She was offering him another chance to walk away—and he wasn't taking it. Tyler wasn't exactly certain why. It could have something to do with the delectable curve of her waist beneath all that lace. Or the indignant swell of her bosom when she realized he was staring at it. But mostly he thought it was boredom and curiosity and the need to know more of what went on in that strange mind behind those deceptive dark eyes.
"I don't rob banks for anyone," Tyler replied calmly.
"I wouldn't ask you to." She offered a tentative smile. "It could be very simple, and I won't need you at all."
"Or it could be so dangerous that you need a gunslinger like Pecos Martin to protect you," he offered solemnly.
"That was Daniel's idea. I'm not certain if he thought he needed a gunslinger to keep me in line or my relatives."
"If they're anything like you, I suspect both reasons. Daniel is a very astute young man."
He was doing it again. He was smiling and being charming and Evie wanted to touch his hand and feel him touch her. On the brink of a discovery she had sought all her life, she was as nervous as a mama cat. But reassurance wasn't what he meant to offer.
Steeling herself, Evie drew her back up straight. "It isn't proper for us to linger here like this. The whole town will be talking, and I won't get that job as schoolteacher. If this takes too long, I might very well need the money. Let me know when Daniel returns. We can talk then."
Tyler made a slight bow of acquiescence and moved out of her way. "I'm looking forward to it. And Evie?"
She halted in closing the door on him and gave him a questioning look.
Tyler smiled. "Wear something blue tomorrow, will you? That blue sash looks real good on you."
Her eyes widened, and then realizing what he was doing, Evie shut the door in his face. She heard his chuckle as he walked off, and she wanted to throw and smash things, but that would only give her away. Tyler had years more experience at charming the opposite sex than she did. She would have to learn from him if they were to work together.
But those very sensible thoughts didn't keep her body from tingling in unexpected places as she imagined what it could be like if