Page 13 of More Than Meets the Eye

The bald statement stunned him momentarily. Then opened a Machiavellian door in his mind. This girl had a bleeding heart, an undeniable drive to right wrongs and champion the cause of the downtrodden.

The perfect ace to hide in his sleeve.

4

The stranger’s mouth lifted at one corner, and a little spurt of elation shot through Evangeline’s belly. She’d made him smile. She probably shouldn’t count that as such an accomplishment when she knew so little about him, but she couldn’t help it. He reminded her too much of Zach. All stern and gruff. Shoulders that seemed to bear the weight of the world. Men like that needed to be reminded how to smile. How to laugh. How to bask in sunshine instead of lurking in shadows.

Besides, he had been trying to save her, albeit from a nonexistent threat. Still, she appreciated his misguided heroism. It wasn’t every day a young maiden ran across a gentleman willing to put himself between her and a wild boar. Then spared the boar at the maiden’s request. A more fanciful woman’s head might be turned.

Evangeline kept hers facing him straight on while trying not to notice how close he was standing or how her palms were flattened against his very firm chest. There was no ignoring that. She cleared her throat and stepped back. His arms fell away.

“I’m Evangeline Hamilton,” she blurted, extending her hand into the space she’d just vacated. “You new to these parts?”

His hand closed around hers. Firm yet gentle. No more grabbing and hauling her around. Just a sincere shake and release.

“I’ve been here about a week.”

She waited for him to elaborate. He didn’t.

Yep. A lot like Zach.

Well, she had fifteen years of experience pulling information from reticent males. She’d not let him put her off.

“Since you’re new to the area, you might not be aware that you’re on Hamilton land.” She crossed her arms over her chest. Lifted her chin. Widened her stance. “My brothers won’t begrudge you snaring a rabbit or even taking down a deer if you’re in need of nourishment, but we don’t take kindly to squatters.”

His lips quirked again. What was it about her trying to act mean that made men grin? It was so annoying. Evangeline frowned at him.

His smile widened. “I’m aware of the boundaries. My camp is east of your property line.”

“But you’re not.” She unfolded her arms and poked him in the chest.

He stared at her finger then nudged his own against her shoulder. “Because I was trying to save you from being gored by a wild boar.”

“One that wouldn’t have actually hurt me.”

“That’s debatable.” He folded his arms and looked down his nose at her. “Even without tusks, that thing could do serious damage if riled.”

“Then you best not rile him.” Evangeline gave a sassy wave of her head, as if she could order Hezzy to attack at any moment. The only damage her pet would likely render involved pig slobber and a head butt that might manage to knock a fellow off-balance. But something told her this man wouldn’t be bowled over too easily.

“What about riling you?” He rubbed the scar that traversed his left eye. Subconsciously? Or was he trying to intimidate her with evidence of his dangerous character? As if such a puny mark would frighten her away. He had just tried to save her life. No matter how crotchety he was acting, he wasn’t dangerous.

“I don’t rile easily.” To prove her point, she smiled. If Zach were the one on the other end of this near-lecture, she’d jump forward, hug him, and plant a loud, smacking kiss on his cheek. Unanticipated affection always threw him off his game and spared her from unpleasant harangues. Too bad she couldn’t use that stratagem with a stranger.

Nevertheless, the old adage about catching more flies with honey hadn’t survived this long without holding a measure of truth.

“Thank you, by the way.” Evangeline smiled even more broadly when he blinked in confusion. “For your heroic rescue.” She dipped her chin. “Just because your actions were unnecessary doesn’t mean they’re not appreciated.”

He cleared his throat and shifted his weight. “You’re welcome.” His voice tapered up at the end, making the statement sound more like a question, but Evangeline chose to interpret it as a successful change of direction anyhow.

“You have a lovely horse.” She stepped to the side and twisted, letting her skirt twirl about her just a little. She’d never been good at standing still. The rhythmic twisting, even in small doses, calmed her growing nerves.

Now that the initial excitement of the discovery, chase, and tackle had subsided, she was becoming acutely aware of the fact that she was alone with a man. A man who actually treated her like a woman. Not a sister, not a freak of nature with unnatural eyes. But an ordinary, normal woman.

“He’s very handsome,” she said. “Your horse.” The horse’s owner qualified for that descriptor, too. That wavy dark brown hair curling over his collar. Gray eyes that had softened from steel to the color of fluffy storm clouds. Tall. Strong. A little rough around the edges. “And friendly, too.”

He mumbled something beneath his breath about horse sense not being what it used to be, but Evangeline chose to let that bit of cynicism go without comment.

“What’s his name?” she asked.