“Evan, please believe me. I am overwhelmed by your generosity, but I could never wed you.” She eased her hand from his grasp. “I am afraid I could never feel anything more for you than friendship, or become involved in any intimate way. I’m sorry.”

His expression was pained, but his sigh was one of resignation. “I feared as much. But I had to try.”

He looked down at his fingers, and Heather stood up awkwardly, unsure what else to say to convince him.

“Can you tell me…” he asked quietly, “if you are planning to leave your husband?”

“I’m not certain. But regardless, I couldn’t accept your proposal. It would not be fair to you to have a wife who could never return your feelings. You see … I love Sloan.”

It was a long, long moment before Evan moved or spoke. With an uncustomary air of defeat then, he reached into the inner breast pocket of his frock coat and withdrew an envelope. “I believe this belongs to you.”

Curiously Heather took it and opened it. Inside was a bank draft for fifteen hundred and fifteen dollars. “What is this?”

“The amount your husband gave me to settle your debts, plus six months’ interest.”

“I don’t understand.”

Again his lips curved, but this time his smile was tinged with bitterness. “I realize I never had the right to hold you accountable for your father’s gambling debts. Indeed, I only used the obligation as leverage, so you would accept my suit more readily. It was unforgivable of me.”

For an instant Heather shut her eyes, contemplating how different her life might have been had Evan come to this conclusion before she had wed Sloan out of desperation.

“I should have canceled the debt months ago,” Evan added regretfully, “when you first refused my offer. But I couldn’t bear to think of McCord winning you. Call it jealousy or pride, but I wanted to make him suffer.”

“Thank you, Evan. I shall put this money to good use.”

“You will be able to redeem the mortgage on this ranch at least. The note is for fifteen hundred, is it not?”

Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “What gives you the notion the Bar M is mortgaged?”

“I make it my business to know the fiscal circumstances of my opponents.” Evan held up a hand to forestall her protest. “I swear to you, my intentions are entirely honorable in this case. I understand your husband is suffering rather serious financial trouble.”

“No more than most,” Heather responded loyally. “Many cattle ranchers are facing difficulties this year.”