“Perhaps, but none of the others are wed to you.” His eyes darkened. “Heather, please believe me when I say I only want the best for you, and that I would very much like to atone for my past sins. If you will permit me, I should like to provide the capital to get this ranch back on sound financial footing. No conditions attached. Purely out of friendship for you. Indeed, I would be honored if you would allow me to help. On behalf of your father’s memory, if nothing else. He was my friend and I owe it to him.”

“I appreciate your generous offer, Evan, truly, but I must decline. Sloan would never agree. He is a proud man, you see. He refuses even to let his family help him.”

“Very well… but I cannot simply stand idly by while you suffer. Most certainly I don’t like to think of you being forced to seek employment.”

“I am grateful for your concern, but I couldn’t accept your financial assistance.”

“Whyever not?”

She smiled. “Besides the fact that I have a reputation to uphold, I never have enjoyed being indebted to you, or anyone else. Call it my pride, if you will.”

His smile was genuine this time, and it reminded Heather why he was such a favorite with most ladies. “Very well. But if you mean to leave here, you must at least allow me to help find you employment. I have a number of business acquaintances in Denver, if that is where you choose to go. I can make inquiries… discreetly, of course. In fact, I know a certain affluent widow there who might be seeking a companion. If so, I could facilitate the introductions.”

“Well … I expect there would be nothing improper in accepting an introduction.”

He hesitated. “If you mean to leave here, I’m not certain why you don’t simply return home to St. Louis where you have friends.”

Heather gave a delicate shrug. She did have friends in St. Louis who cared for her. Certainly Winnie would always take her in. And not having to pay for lodging would greatly minimize her expenses. But she preferred Denver, where she could perhaps lead a life of anonymity, where her failed marriage would not be so obvious. Where she would not be so very far from Janna, from Sloan….

“There is no future for me any longer in St. Louis,” she answered evasively. “But I have a little more time to decide my course of action. I shan’t go anywhere until after the election.”

“It is to be held in two weeks, is it not?”

“Yes, on Wednesday after next.”

“I fathom the race was predicted to go down to the wire, but that may be changing, from what I’ve read. Richard’s articles have been highly critical of your husband’s opponent.”