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