An Unexpected Annulment (The Colorado Brides Series Book 3) by Carré White

husband?”
    I hadn’t expected this from him at all. “I…I’ve been married.”
    An eyebrow lifted. “What happened?”
    “He’s living in New York. He’s perfectly fine.”
    “You divorced? It’s not all that common, but I’ve heard of it.”
    “No, I’m not divorced, sir. I’ve just…had…a bit of an annulment. That’s all.”
    “Annulment?”
    “My marriage was based on falsehoods. I was tricked.”
    “How’s that?”
    “It doesn’t matter. I need to wash these dishes and clean the kitchen. I’ve got pots soaking.”
    “Whoa, hold up there. I’d like to know how you were tricked, Ms. Hoffman. This story is just startin’ to get interesting.”
    “I’m glad you find my suffering entertaining, sir, but I don’t wish to discuss it.”
    “I told you about my life.”
    “Only in the simplest of terms. I really know nothing about you apart from the fact that you’re poor and your prospects are slim.” I hadn’t meant to be so blunt, but I often spoke this way, especially when I felt threatened.
    “You sure got a sharp tongue on you. Maybe I’m seeing why you might not have a husband.”
    A prick of anger flared. “I’ve no need for one. I’m educated from a fine university, and I’ll be going to teach soon. Classes start next week.”
    This did not seem to please him, as his eyes narrowed. “Educated, eh? I don’t cotton to women gettin’ educated. They get some wild ideas in their heads that way.”
    My opinion of him had dropped substantially. “Well, we are vastly different people, sir.”
    “You say that, but people are people.”
    “Yes, they are, but some people don’t mix as well as others.”
    He glared at me, although he wasn’t particularly angry. “I gotta thank you for what you’ve done. I know you were the one who got the doc in the first place. I can see that you don’t like me all that much, but I gotta thank you for your help. You saved my life.”
    “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