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

love Denver City, Ms. Louisa.” Her smile was adorable.
    I ruffled her hair. “I know you do. You love the ribbons in the mercantile, don’t you?”
    “I do.”
    To my astonishment, Mr. Montgomery appeared in the doorway. I jumped to my feet. “Oh, you shouldn’t be up yet. Oh, my goodness.”
    “Pa!” Oscar and Hugh went to him, as he was unsteady on his feet.
    “I gotta use the privy.” His deep voice sounded gruff.
    “I’ll bring you a bedpan. It’s not safe to cross the yard in your condition.” Doc Caldwell had left a bedpan, knowing that if he woke he would need it. “Here it is. Now, you should get back to bed this instant.” He acquiesced, and I was mildly astonished at his strength. He’d been unconscious for two days with a serious head injury; the bandages were still around his forehead. The sound of a wagon was a relief, but I wasn’t able to see who had arrived, because I needed to direct Mr. Montgomery into the next room.
    “Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome.” I left him to use the bedpan in privacy. I found Dr. Caldwell in the kitchen.
     “How’s the patient?” He seemed to brace himself, expecting bad news.
    “You’ll be happy to hear that he’s awake. I just stopped him from going outside. He’d been about to use the privy.”
    His mouth fell open. “You don’t say. Well, I’ll be darned. I sure am happy to hear that. I need to take a look at his bandages.”
    “Of course.” I busied myself in the kitchen, cleaning dishes and putting things away, while the doctor was in the next room. When he returned, I asked, “How is he?”
    “Slight swelling still, but much improved. I’m going to recommend bed rest for a few more days, and then he’s free to resume his normal activities.”
    I wiped my hands dry on the apron. “That’s encouraging.”
    “I had my doubts. I’ve never had much luck with head injuries. I sure am relieved that he’ll make a full recovery. It’s awfully nice of you to be here to help the family. Lord knows they need it.” He held his hat. “I’ll be on my way then.” He eyed me. “How long do you plan on staying?”
    I hadn’t really thought about it. “I…suppose as long as they need me.”
    “All right. I’ll return tomorrow then to check on things.”
    “Thank you. I’ll be in town soon. I’ll stop by your office to pay you.” This surprised him, as he blinked, staring at me strangely. I had every intension of taking care of the bill, knowing that Mr. Montgomery would find it a hardship to cover the costs. Often doctors accepted other forms of payment, but that wasn’t necessary this time, because I had the funds.
    After he left, I heated water in a large pot, bringing soap and a small towel with me. Mr. Montgomery sat on the bed. “I’ll get you breakfast in a moment. You have dried blood near your ear.”
    “That’s kind of you.”
    Wringing out the cloth, I approached him, staring at him in almost a clinical manner. “Just tell me if it hurts where I touch you. Does your head hurt?”
    “A little.”
    “Doc Caldwell said you still have some swelling. Your eyes look perfect.” The pupils were slightly dilated, but the horrible red was gone. His unruly beard needed trimming. He stared at me, while I cleaned his face. “I’ve tended to people before, some friends and family members. I know you need washing in other places. I could leave this here for you, if you want.”
    He leaned against the pillow, his expression unreadable. “If I asked you to do it, would you?”
    “Well, I suppose…” flustered by the sudden light in his eye, I faltered, feeling self-conscious. “Yes, sir.”
    “Perhaps you should.”
    The air suddenly crackled with an energy I hadn’t felt before, but I suspected it was slightly carnal in nature, because of the way I had reacted to it. My hand trembled imperceptibly, but he had challenged me to continue, and I would stay the course. Unbuttoning his shirt, I ran the cloth over his chest,