a schoolteacher. Manuel"—the tone of her voice changed, and the boy straightened obediently—"you are an eleven-year-old boy with a talent for trouble, but if anyone calls you a greaser again, I give you my permission to hit him where it hurts. And then hit him one for me, too. Is that understood?"
Manuel stared at her as if she had lost her mind, but he nodded eagerly enough. The people around them were staring, too, but Evie stood there coolly, her chestnut hair piled in ringlets above a pale neck bearing no stain of Mexican origin. She kept her smile as pleasant as a summer day. They didn't know what to make of her.
Tyler did. He knew she was a liar, but the lie had been extremely efficacious. She wasn't Mexican or Spanish any more than he was, but the sheriff was questioning the boy with considerable more gentleness than he would have otherwise.
"I was in the livery," Manuel explained defensively. "It used to be my pa's, and Tom lets me work there sometimes. But I didn't take nothing."
The sheriff turned to the giant still held captive by Phil and the clerk. Rage burned in the man's eyes, but it wasn't directed at Manuel or even his two captors right now. It was directed at Tyler and Evie.
"Where were you carrying the money and when did you last see it?" the sheriff asked his prisoner.
"It was in my saddlebag, and I last saw it when I put it there. Those bags were in the livery with my horse when I went over to the saloon. That's the only time they were out of my sight. I just want the money back. I ain't gonna press charges 'gainst no whippersnapper."
"Manuel, turn your pockets out." It was a silly gesture, but it was the only way Evie could convince the sheriff Manuel wasn't responsible. The boy was reed slim and wearing clothes two sizes too small for him. Anyone with half an eye could see he couldn't be carrying wads of money.
The boy did as told and the crowd murmured their approval. There was nothing in his pockets but a small penknife and a marble.
The sheriff turned to Evie and Tyler. "You want to press any charges?"
Evie could feel Tyler stiffening with anger as he remembered how the bully had swung at her, but she hadn't been hurt. "I think we're even. There's no sense pressing charges. Maybe someone ought to help him search the livery and see if his money fell out somewhere."
Once the giant was released, he didn't give them a second glance. He walked immediately to the stables, and several of the townspeople followed out of curiosity. If there was money in the straw, everyone would like to find it. Evie watched him go almost with regret. He knew something about a man named Peyton. It was an unusual name. She had always wondered why her parents had given it to her instead of something normal like Maryellen. Maybe they were trying to tell her something.
Tyler caught her look and growled, catching her arm and leading her away. "Don't you even think it. Spanish! Christ, Evie, you're going to tell one tale too many one of these days, and people will quit believing anything you say."
"Watch your language, Tyler. I won't have the children learning blasphemy." Evie watched as Manuel and Jose scampered ahead. The little brats knew that livery inside and out. She had no doubt that they were heading for some secret passage or hiding place right now. If she found they had been stealing from people's saddlebags, she would have a rough time ahead. She hoped their uncle received the cable Carmen had sent days ago.
"To hell with blasphemy! Ben tells me you've moved in with those brats. I know that's not what you came here for. Are you planning to settle here? Or are you just waiting for that lawyer to get back? I heard Jace tell Kyle that Hale's wired them that he'll be back shortly."
Evie caught her skirt and stared up at Tyler with suppressed excitement. The lawyer! She would know something soon now. Her eyes danced with delight, but she replied coyly, "Why, I daresay that depends on you, my husband. Whither thou goest, so should I, shouldn't I?"
Tyler caught his breath before he could say something he shouldn't. He had just seen her fighting like a raging schoolboy in the streets, but she was looking up at him through the lashes of