scent. It was all he could do to keep his heart beating as she walked out of sight. When he closed the door, he gave a sigh of relief and felt what could only be a shiver of anticipation. It had been a long time since he'd had a feeling of anticipation. He'd given up hope long ago when he was just a boy and his father had informed him that he was going to be a lawyer and not a cowboy.
He no longer had a child's dream of roping cattle and riding a horse in the hot sun all day, but the life of a cattle baron could be a very lucrative one. The Hardings lived simply, it was true, but as their lawyer, he knew how much wealth had accumulated out there. And he knew to a dime how much more would accumulate now that the war was over and profits were skyrocketing. And that bundle of living joy who had just walked out owned half of all that.
The knowledge was sweet in his mouth. He wanted to savor it for a long time, a very long time. But he had to make plans.
He almost laughed at the pile of work on his desk. He had come back here a failure. He had searched St. Louis high and low for the elusive Miss Evangeline Howell, but she had disappeared with all her worldly belongings and hadn't been seen since the funeral of her guardian. Who would have believed that the little heiress would have turned up here, right under his nose?
And under the nose of her stepbrothers. Hale wondered what the Hardings would do if they knew their beautiful new schoolteacher was the owner of half their spread. He didn't think he would let them know right away. If things worked out well, he wouldn't let them know until his wedding day, his wedding to Miss Evangeline Peyton Howell, formerly known as Maryellen Peyton.
* * *
Tyler was waiting for her around the corner. Evie stopped in her tracks and regarded him suspiciously. After last Friday night, she wasn't at all certain that she wanted to speak to the cad. She certainly hadn't thought he'd want to speak to her.
"You're tricked out mighty fine this afternoon, Miss Peyton." He removed his hat and offered her his arm. When she didn't take it, he caught her gloved hand and pulled it through the crook of his elbow.
She didn't want to be this close to Tyler Monteigne. She could smell his shaving soap. And she smelled the smoke of the saloon he'd probably been in since this morning. She remembered the strength of the arm she was holding, and she tried to draw away.
It was a futile battle. His hand covered hers, and she couldn't struggle with him in full view of everyone. Digging her fingers in and hoping they hurt, she turned her sweet smile on him. "And it's a pleasure to see you, too, Mr. Monteigne. To what do I owe this honor?"
"I just thought you might be interested in telling me why you went to see the town lawyer as soon as he got back. Another man might think it suspicious after our discussion last week, but I'm a better man than that. I figure you're bound to be looking for your long lost sister."
"Maybe I was looking for a way to sue you for everything you have, Tyler Monteigne. After all, a man who does what you did ought to be forced to a little responsibility."
Tyler kept smiling as she was doing. He stopped in the window of the millinery shop and pretended to show her a hat there. "I had the clerk at the general store set up an account for you, and I've told Daniel about it so you can't pretend it isn't there." He had never tried to talk through clenched molars before. It wasn't easy, but it was better than shaking her until her teeth rattled. "I told you I was willing to support you.'
"Why, that's generous of you, I'm sure." Evie disengaged her hand now that he'd loosened his grip. "Perhaps I won't be needing a lawyer after all." She picked up her skirt and hurried in the direction of the livery but Tyler caught her arm before she could escape.
"I think I'll walk you back home. You never know when a lady will be accosted by strangers in this town.
His grip was hard as it steered her in the proper direction.