Page 35 of Between a Rock and a Hard Cowboy

As the idea struck, hope rose within her for the first time since William had pulled that damn Last Will and Testament out of the box.

What was the value of half of the estate in 1917, when John T. Wilder died? Not now, but then. That’s what mattered here. Because half of what it was when the estate was turned over to the inheritors was all that Emmett was due, in her opinion.

She was no lawyer but it made sense to her.

Emmett hadn’t given his blood, sweat and tears to build the Wilder holdings into what they were worth today. John S’s dependents had.

It could be the perfect solution. Buy Emmett off for what was due then. Not now.

She could transfer the money into an account in Emmett’s name, call itunclaimed fundsfrom his deceased father, which wasn’t even all that much of a lie. He’d get what he was due according to the will they’d found, but he’d never have to know how or why he’d received the money.

Emmett would take the money and run and not question a thing. She was sure of it.

It would be simple enough to set it all up. Accounts, both real and fake, as well as money transfers, both legal and other, were her specialty. And this solution might even appease Wyatt’s overly noble sensibilities.

One thing was clear, she had more research to do. And then after she found out everything about John T and his finances, it was Emmett’s turn.

If that lowlife had even a parking ticket outstanding she’d find it. And hopefully she’d find a lot more. Perhaps a few infractions, or outstanding warrants, that would keep him pinned down and out of this state for a very long time.

If she knew anything about Emmett at all, it was that he’d always run from a fight. The man was a coward. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed he probably wasn’t a blood Wilder at all. Because love them or hate them, the Wilder men she knew were anything but cowardly.

She’d fill a folder full of things she could use against him and if Emmett ever did come back, she’d have something to blackmail him with. She’d give him the option—leave Bitter End or she’d tip off the authorities.

“You’re smiling.”

“What?” Eva glanced up at the sound of Linc’s voice.

“I said, you’re smiling.”

Linc had returned from feeding the farm animals or whatever he did out there. His nose was red and his eyes bright from the brisk December air he’d just come in from as he started to unbutton the jacket he wore.

“Am I?” she asked, even as the ache in her cheeks told her he was right, and she probably had been grinning at the prospect of hanging Emmett, at least legally, for a little while now.

That is what making sure Emmett Wilder wouldn’t get anything, or at least not a lot, did to her. Made her happy. But as Linc continued to look perplexed by her joy, she decided she’d better explain why, while his family was in turmoil, she was so gleeful.

“I’ve come up with a plan to ensure Emmett gets exactly what he deserves—which is next to nothing,” she told him.

His brows cocked up. “Really? And how are you gonna do that?”

“Through the magic of the internet.”

He nodded but didn’t demand more.

“I meant what I said, Linc. I’m going to fix this.”

He dipped his head again. “I believe you’re gonna try.”

“Not just try. I’ll make it happen,” she said, imbuing her promise with every ounce of the conviction she felt.

“Eva, it’s fine. You don’t have to feel guilty for finding that box. It’s in my family’s hands now. And you’re right. We could just burn that will and pretend it never existed.”

“But you don’t think that’s going to happen anymore than I do.”

He pressed his lips together tightly. “I don’t know.”

“If it came down to choosing sides, who could you count on to be on yours?” she asked.

His brows rose high. “And which do you think ismy side?”

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