Vale turned back.
“Miss Ward, you've been speaking with people who misunderstand the situation.”
She stared.
He continued.
“Your family held certain interests in this valley many years ago. Those matters were settled.”
“Then you won't object to an independent review of the original papers.”
Vale's eyes narrowed.
“Of course not.”
Harlon gave a bitter laugh.
Vale looked toward him.
“Something amusing?”
Harlon stepped closer.
“Only that a man who welcomes review shouldn't need armed riders to chase a woman through the mountains.”
The mining executive's expression hardened.
“Be careful, Boone.”
Harlon met his gaze.
“I've been careful for nine years.”
Vale smiled coldly.
“Your father wasn't.”
The words struck like a blow.
Harlon's body tightened.
Amily immediately reached for his hand.
He looked toward her.
She squeezed his fingers.
A silent reminder.
Not like this.
Harlon took a breath.
Then remained still.
Vale noticed the exchange.
His expression changed.
He looked toward Amily's hand in Harlon's.
Then smiled unpleasantly.
“Well.”
Amily withdrew nothing.
Vale continued.
“It appears you've grown close.”
She stared.
“That's none of your concern.”
He shrugged.
“Perhaps not.”
Then his voice softened.
“Miss Ward, I think we can resolve this without unnecessary trouble.”
He reached into his coat.
Removed a folded document.
And held it toward her.
Amily didn't move.
“What is that?”
“A settlement proposal.”
She looked toward him.
“For what?”
“For any remaining claims connected with your mother's family.”
Harlon's jaw tightened.
Vale continued.
“I am prepared to offer you twenty thousand dollars in exchange for a full release of those interests.”
Amily stared.
Twenty thousand dollars.
More money than she'd ever possessed.
Enough to purchase a comfortable house.
Enough to live without taking sewing work for wealthy strangers who treated her as an embarrassment.
Enough to travel.
Begin again.
And perhaps never worry about whether she could afford coal during winter.
For one dangerous moment, the amount seemed to fill her entire mind.
Vale watched her carefully.
He saw the hesitation.
And smiled.
“You could have a very pleasant life, Miss Ward.”
Amily swallowed.
He continued.
“A woman in your circumstances doesn't often receive such an opportunity.”
Harlon's expression darkened.
But Amily answered before he could speak.
“What circumstances?”
Vale blinked.
She looked directly into his eyes.
“My poverty?”
He hesitated.