Call hesitated.
“Call?”
“Yes,” he said finally. “He did.”
“I don’t suppose he was so indiscreet as to mention an amount.”
“No. No amount.”
“Did he happen to mention the Hammersmiths? That’s the family that would benefit from the alternate route.”
“He brought them up when he was talking about the surveyor, but he didn’t indicate that there was an offer on the table.”
“Perhaps that’s reason enough to be hopeful.” She smiled faintly. “Thank you for your effort to clear my name. I have to believe he heard you.”
“You’re welcome, but I got the impression that he was predisposed to hearing what I had to say.”
A tiny crease appeared between Laurel’s dark eyebrows. “Really? Why do you think that?”
Call supposed he couldn’t avoid it forever. “Alex Berry likes you.”
“Of course he does. I’ve never given him any reason to dislike me.”
“I’m sure that’s true, but you’re not hearing my meaning. Helikesyou.”
The vertical crease between her eyebrows deepened. “I think you must be mistaken.”
“You can believe that if it gives you comfort.”
“Of course it gives me comfort. It’s a ridiculous notion.” She paused and then set her thoughtful gaze on Call. “Or the answer to the niggling problem of finding a proper man to further my education.”
Call made a steeple with his fingers and propped his chin on the tips. “And now you know the reason for my earlier hesitation. It didn’t take you long to identify the silver lining in Berry’s interest.”
Unperturbed by his cynicism, Laurel shrugged and said carelessly, “It’s only a silver lining if you mean to maintain your scruples. I would happily allow you to take his place.”
He stared at her. “You’re serious.”
“I am.”
“Do you understand that Berry could be persuaded to recommend the Cabin Creek Trail for the railroad if you agreed to sleep with him?”
Laurel sat up straight. “What?”
“You don’t need money to bribe him, Laurel. He wants you.”
She made a face of pure disgust. “That is revolting.”
Call actually laughed. “You’ll have to explain to me how Berry using you is different than you using Berry.”
“It’s just different is all.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Apparently I have scruples.”
“You don’t seem pleased to learn about it.”
“I can’t say the same for you. You’re smirking.”
