An Unexpected Annulment (The Colorado Brides Series Book 3) (9 page)

“You’re welcome.” The sound of a wagon was a welcome relief. The conversation had been tense. “Someone’s coming.” His look was so stark, it was concerning. “You don’t have to worry, sir. I’m able to help for a few more days, until you’re on your feet. I’ve got the time to spare.”

“I guess I can put up with you for that long. I’ve been through worse.”

My mouth fell open, but words failed me. Then he smiled, the corners of his eyes crinkling. There was a hint of humor in that look, with a teasing gleam. I wanted to toss the plate at his head in that instant, but I was on the verge of smiling myself, which was highly vexing. What an annoying man!

Maria had arrived. She was helpful, washing a basketful of clothing in the side yard, while I settled the children down and read to them in the parlor. They had been running wild all morning. I fully expected them to be in school next week, and I needed to have a discussion about this with Mr. Montgomery. There was another point of contention, as I desperately wanted to shave the hair from his face. He looked like he had been in the wilderness for a year. Readying a blade and a bowl of soapy lather, I entered the bedroom, finding him propped up on several pillows.

“What’s that now?” He eyed the items in my hand.

“You’re getting a shave.” The doctor had yet to remove the bandage from his head, so a haircut would have to wait.

“You don’t say?”

I held a pair of scissors. “You’re in need, sir.” He didn’t seem to mind the idea of personal attention. The look on his face told me as much, which was exasperating. He had the manners of an ox. “Can you sit up a bit?”

“I most certainly can.”

“Excellent.”

“You’re not gonna kill me with that thing, are you?”

“I might. It could slip.”

His chest rumbled with laughter. “I best hold still then.”

I placed the bowl of water on the bed, sitting near him, while eyeing the mess on his face. “I should probably trim all of this first. It’s like a jungle.”

“Feel free to do what you must.”

“I’ll get a tin can for all the hair. Excuse me.” When I returned, he grinned, watching me carefully. “Now, let’s trim this real quick.” I began to snip hair from his chin, while holding the can beneath to catch the black fuzz. “Somewhere under here is a face.”

“I reckon so.”

When I had removed the thickest portions of hair, I lathered soap over the area, preparing to shave him. I’d done this to my father for years, and I was skilled to a fair degree, although he didn’t know that. “I should warn you. I’ve never done this before.”

“What?” His eyes flew wide.

“Oh, how hard can it be? I drag the blade around a bit and don’t press too hard, right? If I see blood, then I’ve done something wrong.”

His hand closed around my wrist, stopping me. “Are you pullin’ my leg?” Our eyes met, as heat flared, cushioned by an undercurrent of attraction.

“Don’t you trust me?”

“I never trust a woman.”

That was a surprise. “I never trust a man.”

“We’re both pigheaded.”

“That’s not the term I would use, but perhaps. Now, hold still.” He grasped my wrist, the heat of his hand registering. “Mr. Montgomery?”

“Matt. You should call me Matt.”

“That’s far too familiar.”

“I don’t see nothin’ wrong with that.”

“No, you wouldn’t.”

“Cause I got no manners?”

I sighed. “Oh, hush, and let me do this. I’ve things cooking in the kitchen that need attention.”

“If you want to make me your pet project, I don’t think I’d mind.”

“What would that entail?”

“You livin’ here…permanently.”

“I’m a teacher, Mr. Montgomery, not a maid.”

“That’s not what I was talkin’ about. How about you marry me. Then you can whip me into shape with that sharp tongue of yours.” He seemed pleased with himself, as his smile indicated.

I gasped, staring at him with my mouth open.

Chapter Eight

“Absolutely not!”

“It seems like the logical plan, Louisa. You’re not married, I’m in need of a wife…” he shrugged, “it could work.”

“I have no interest in marriage, Mr. Montgomery. It was a disaster the first time around. I doubt a second venture would yield different results.” I appraised him, trying to school my features. “Now hold still.”

“You were lying when you said you never did this, right?”

“Yes.”

“I kinda like the teasing side of you. I’m thinkin’ that if you hung around long enough, I might sway you with my charm.”

I laughed heartily then, not being able to help myself. “Oh, Mr. Montgomery, I don’t know what to say. Aside from the fact that I’ve vowed never to marry again, I really do find this amusing. Your children’s welfare is what concerns me. If I can nurse you back to health, then hopefully you’ll be able to take care of them.” I tilted his chin upwards, running the blade across a cheek. He said little, while I worked from side to side, wiping the excess against the edge of the bowl. “Do you want the mustache to remain?”

“Yes, please.”

“I’ll trim that too.”

When I had finished, I wiped his face with the towel. “That’s a vast improvement. Your hair needs washing and a cut, but that will have to wait.”

He didn’t seem to care that he was now clean-shaven. His look was oddly contemplative. He ran a hand over his face, feeling the results of my handiwork. “You done a good job.”

“Thank you. Now I have to see about dinner.”

“It’s too early yet for dinner.”

“I’ve a roast baking.”

“It sure smells nice. You got some fancy kitchen skills.”

“I might be able to hire a woman for you to cook and clean.”

“I can’t pay her.”

“You really need to think about farming, sir. There’s a need for fresh produce in Denver City. A kitchen garden would provide vegetables for your table. I’d plant an apple tree or two, if I were you.”

“I’ve been in a bad place, Louisa. I don’t even remember much of the last six months.”

“Are you a drunkard by nature or is this the result of your wife’s death?”

“You sure ask some hard questions.”

“I can be blunt. I’m sorry.”

“I drank before, but…not like I do now.”

“Do you have any control over it?”

He coughed. “I don’t know. I wish I did.”

“Well, you’ve some things to work on then. Your children need you. They need a father who will be there for them and take care of them, but I shouldn’t have to tell you this.”

“I know.”

“I have every hope that you’ll straighten yourself out, Mr. Montgomery.”

“If I do get myself together all shiny and pretty, will you marry me?”

This brought up an interesting question. “Let’s say you did make something out of yourself, and I married you. Would you revert to your old habits as soon as the ink was dry on the marriage certificate?”

“Oh, lordy, woman! You have no faith at all, do you?”

“In men?”

“Yeah.”

“I certainly do not. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve things to get done.” I sashayed from the room, feeling a moment of triumph, but it died a few minutes later, when I realized I hadn’t won anything at all.

That evening, after supper, we sat in the parlor. I was on the rocking chair with Annie, and the boys sat on the floor, while their father was stretched out on the sofa. He had a pillow behind his head. We were reading out loud by taking turns with the book. A lamp cast a dim glow behind me, and there were several candles lit.

I could feel Mr. Montgomery’s appraisal; his features were presented, because the hair that had obscured them was gone. He was a pleasing-looking man, with a straight nose, angular cheeks, and full lips. The children were surprisingly well-behaved, sharing the book politely. Annie read a little, but she was still learning. Her brothers had refrained from calling her names, which was heartening. They enjoyed stories of adventure, and this book was no exception.  
The Swiss Family Robinson
was a vivid tale of shipwreck and island survival, which the children enthusiastically revered.

“I want a house in the woods like theirs,” said Annie.

“We have a fort,” said Oscar.

“But it’s not in the trees. It’s scrap wood nailed together.”

“Maybe Pa can build us a tree house?”

“Your father needs to recover from his accident.”

“When he’s better,” said Hugh.

“If he wants to,” I said. “Now, whose turn is it to read? Mine?”

“Yes, Louisa,” said Annie. She kicked her little leg out, while she leaned into me.

“Fine…where were we?”

“The part where they found the lobster,” said Oscar.

“Right.” I began to read, feeling the weight of Mr. Montgomery’s steady stare. It was strange, yet wonderful, having him in the parlor with us. I hadn’t a clue what he might be thinking. He said very little, watching, as I directed the evening’s entertainment. We continued to read, until the children began to yawn. “I think that’s enough for one night.” I glanced at Annie, who had her head on my shoulder. “I’m going to put you to bed.”

“Oh, no,” she objected. “You should read some more. Please. Pretty please.”

I stood, taking her with me. “We can continue this tomorrow night. Come along, boys. Time to wash up and say your prayers.” After the children were in their beds, the boys murmuring about something, I closed the door to Annie’s bedroom. I turned to find Mr. Montgomery in the hallway, which made me jump. He had been utterly silent. “You scared me. You should be in bed. What in heavens are you doing up here?”

“You’re very good with my children.”

“Thank you.”

“They never settle like that for me.”

“It takes a certain amount of skill.”

“I know. I don’t have it.” I moved to pass him, but he blocked my way. “I’ve a few things I wish to say to you, Louisa.”

“We can talk in the parlor.” There was no space to go around him. “Excuse me.” To my alarm, he grabbed me by the shoulders, pressing me to the wall. “Mr. Montgomery!”

“I can see it’s gonna take some convincing to get you to soften your position, but maybe this will help.”

He was going to kiss me!

I’d hardly been able to string two thoughts together when his lips covered mine. Not only that, but his arms went around me, pulling me to the solid length of his body. His tongue sought entrance, and I wanted to deny him, but I felt myself giving in…for the moment. I tilted my head back, while he took full advantage, his mouth needy and possessive. My hands fell to his shoulders, while fingertips dug into firm muscle. It wasn’t in my nature to yield to such base desires, and I could not ever remember enjoying a kiss this much. The idea of being with a man had crossed my mind, but I had always pushed it aside. Even when I had been married to Henry, I hadn’t minded that we were never intimate, but I had wanted children, so for that reason, I had assumed we would share a bed. Such a thing had never come to pass.

His lips were on my neck, kissing and nibbling, while I threaded fingers through his hair, feeling where his skull had been injured, although a bandage covered this area. He groaned, and I let go, pushing him from me. “We must stop this now,” I whispered.

“I really do think you should marry me.”

“I don’t even know you, Mr. Montgomery.”

“It doesn’t matter. That’ll come later.”

“I can’t do that. I must have a better understanding of your character before I could ever consider such a thing.”

“How long were you engaged to that other fella?”

“Nearly two years.”

“And he still turned out wrong, eh? You found out some things that weren’t so pleasant. That goes to show you that it don’t matter how long you’ve known ‘em. Even a decade might not be enough. You gotta have some faith.”

“That’s fine and dandy for you to say, but I hold myself to higher standards.”

His expression fell. “Oh, that again. I’m well aware that I ain’t good enough for you.”

The tone of his voice affected me strangely, as I felt badly for my harsh words. “Oh, let’s not argue, sir. You shouldn’t overdo it. You’ve only just recovered from a serious injury. You should be in bed.” He leaned into me, and I found myself against the wall again. “Sir!”

“You and me got chemistry, Louisa,” he whispered near my ear. “I wondered if you’d be a cold fish, but you’re not, quite the opposite actually. There’s fire in your veins, woman, and it runs hot. You shouldn’t waste yourself in a schoolroom. You need a husband. You need someone like me.”

“I’m going to bed.” I hated that I had begun to tremble. Even my knees felt weak.
Don’t let him ruin your resolve!

“You know you’re in my room, don’t you?”

“Would you like me to take the one downstairs?”

His smile was slight. “Or I could just join you in this one.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him. “I’m going to pretend I didn't hear that.”

“But you did. Then we can go to town and get married in the morning.”

Those words were shocking. “Y-you’re unbelievable. Your manners are scandalous.” He had recovered far too quickly. I had vastly underestimated him and my own reaction.

“So you’ve told me…repeatedly now.”

“Good night, Mr. Montgomery.”

He seemed thoughtful, yet there was something in his look I hadn’t seen before. “Good night, Mrs. Montgomery.”

Hearing those words stopped me in my tracks; my hand was wrapped around the doorknob. I hadn’t completely recovered from that unexpected kiss, and now this! I was rapidly reaching the end of my tether. It had suddenly become imperative that I leave this house as soon as he was healthy…and that moment could not happen fast enough.

“I…” our eyes met, “I’m…oh, goodnight!” He chuckled softly, as I closed the door. I leaned against it, my chest rising and falling, while images of being in his arms drifted through my mind. “That horrible man.”

It was an effort to sleep that night, because my body seemed to react physically each time I thought of how he had felt against me. Waves of pleasurable tingles left me doubting my long held beliefs and wishing I could throw all caution to the wind and marry him. I had to know his character, though, before I embarked on anything more serious. He was still a mystery to me, his vices had yet to be fully uncovered, and I suspected he had more of them. Once I knew what they were, would I be able to accept them, and give him my hand in marriage? I had a great deal to think about.