And if it came to stagecoach robbers, we'd be at their mercy."
Tyler sprawled back in his chair and fastened his gaze on the nonchalant female smiling through this pretense. If it came to stagecoach robbers, he'd be as much at their mercies as they, but she didn't seem in the least bit concerned.
"Tell me more about your sister in Mineral Springs. Are those her letters?" He nodded toward the bundle in Maryellen's hands.
"Sister?" Daniel looked momentarily confused, but Maryellen answered quickly enough.
"Yes. She always wrote regularly until just these last few months. We're terribly worried about her." Maryellen sent Daniel a fixed look, but he was admiring the cobwebs on the ceiling.
The little witch was lying. Intrigued, Tyler let her continue weaving her web of deceit.
"As I told you earlier, her marriage didn't seem to be working out. She seemed to be afraid of her husband and mentioned attacks on their ranch. And then there was nothing. It is all very frightening, and we're determined to go to Mineral Springs and rescue her. Evelyn always was delicate, and Mama cried her heart out when she left St. Louis for Texas. We have to find out what's wrong, you see."
Daniel smiled at the ceiling, and Tyler wondered how much of that fairy tale might be found between the covers of the cheap novel she held. Or perhaps she was always so inventive. He liked inventive women. He smiled lazily and stretched his legs across the narrow floor.
"Well, now, ma'am, I don't rightly know how much help I can be in your family matter, but I'd be happy to escort you to Mineral Springs. I'll need my salary and expenses on a daily basis, you understand, and I'm to have the last word in our travel arrangements. You're paying me for my experience, so I expect you to accept my decisions."
Maryellen looked a little nervous, but Daniel nodded his head seriously.
"We thought... Well, I think it would be better if we waited until the end of our journey to pay you, Mr. Martin. We don't know you, after all, and..." Maryellen halted when Tyler raised his brows, and Daniel hurriedly interfered.
"We'll pay him half. That's what the book says. Then when we get to Mineral Springs safe and sound, we'll give him the rest, and he can decide whether or not to stay and help us."
Tyler hid his grin. His estimated fee of ten dollars a day just went to twenty. If they somehow managed to get to Mineral Springs all in one piece, he'd consider what to do about the excess.
Rising, he made a curt bow. "I trust you can be ready to travel by morning. I have a piece of business to take care of down the river a spell, and we'll be catching the boat to New Orleans from there. It's been a pleasure meeting you both, and I'm sure we'll have a safe and enjoyable journey. Good day."
* * *
Evie stared after him, openmouthed, as Tyler walked out of the room without so much as a by-your- leave. She might not have been raised in the best circles, but even she knew a gentleman should behave better than that. Who in Hades did the man think he was? He acted as if he really were Pecos Martin instead of a two- timing cur with two women after his hide. Maybe she ought to persuade Daniel out of this.
But Daniel was too enthralled. "Did you see that? Lord, I wish I could be a man like that someday. Did you see the gun in his waistcoat pocket? I wonder if he had another in his boot? I wager other people will think twice before taking him on."
Evie sighed and checked her hair in the mirror. Daniel had never had a man to look up to before, and she had to admit that Tyler Monteigne was certainly worth looking at, if not up to. She could still smell the spicy scent of his cologne, and something in her middle did a jig at the thought of the way he had looked at her. Men looked at her all the time, but none had ever looked at her as if he could see right through her and know her every thought, not to mention how she looked under her dress. Even his eyes had been a kind of golden-brown. His good looks were quite disgusting. She supposed they would have to endure women chasing after him wherever they went.