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He moved his hands to the back of her head to take the kiss deeper. At first Ellie stiffened, then her body relaxed into him as he continued his assault on her luscious mouth. He slid his tongue along her lips, and she opened. Max lowered one hand to her waist and tugged her closer. Her palms skimmed his chest to his shoulders, where she clung to him.
This felt so right. Ellie Henderson fit his body as if made for it. Soft, warm, curved in all the right places. Too bad he would be marrying her off to someone else. Someone who would kiss her like this, remove her clothes, lay her down, make love to her. He groaned.
“Ellie?”
Max and Ellie sprang apart like two youths caught behind the woodshed at the sound of Helen’s voice. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes,” Ellie said breathlessly, as she fussed with her bun and straightened her dress. “Fine. I was just, ah, just, ah, looking for some more napkins.” She raced to the cabinet against the far wall and opened it. She took out a stack of cake plates and marched from the kitchen.
Max stood slack-jawed as he watched her leave with plates instead of napkins. He turned to Miss Spencer, straightening his tie. “Miss Henderson seemed a bit upset by Mr. Forest’s remarks, so I thought I would comfort her.”
Miss Spencer nodded, her face a bright red. “Then I’ll just go on out and help Ellie with the coffee and tea.” She backed toward the door and escaped.
Max blew out a breath. What in heaven’s name had he done? He closed his eyes, and his shoulders slumped. He rubbed his temples with a thumb and forefinger, and chastised himself. This plan to get Miss Henderson—Ellie—married, was backfiring. He would not be attracted to her. She was trouble, and his life did not allow for a woman. His needs were well taken care of, by someone who didn’t interfere with his well-ordered existence.
Life with Ellie Henderson would be disastrous. The unfortunate man who tied himself to her would be forever rescuing her from one catastrophe or another. Unless the poor soul starved to death first.
Obviously, Clay Forest was totally unacceptable. The man had no manners and didn’t appreciate Miss Henderson at all. When he got home this afternoon, he would cross him off the list and go to the next name.
Chapter 5
Two days later, Ellie eyed the classroom door at the sound of a soft knock. John Ridley poked his head in. “Can I talk to you, Miss Henderson?”
One of her younger students, John was a quiet boy, who Ellie suspected came from an abusive home. He’d often showed results of whippings, and she’d heard in town Mrs. Ridley had sported black eyes on occasion and, one time, a broken arm. The boy stood in front of her, twisting his worn brown woolen cap.
“Sure, John, have a seat.” She nodded at the student desk in front of her.
The boy slid onto the seat and continued to fumble with his cap.
Ellie rested her elbows on the desk and smiled. “Why are you here so late?”
“I just came from Mr. Colbert’s office.” He took a deep breath, and his young voice trembled. “I’m in big trouble, Miss Henderson.”
The poor boy looked terrified. “What happened?”
He licked his lips. “You remember the envelope you keep in your desk with money in it?”
“Yes.” Ellie had been collecting money from the students to buy food items to add to the Christmas baskets. At last count she had five dollars and forty-two cents.
John slumped. “I did a bad thing.”
“What is it? What did you do that got you into trouble?”
He peeked at her from under the hair that fell on his forehead. “I took the envelope with the money in it.”
Ellie frowned, opened her desk drawer, and pushed papers aside. “You’re right. It’s gone.” She studied him for a moment. “Well, just give it back to me, and there won’t be any problem.”
“I can’t.” He winced and lowered his head.
She lifted his chin. “Did you already spend it?”
John shook his head. “Mr. Colbert has it.”
Ellie’s stomach dropped. “How did he get it?”
“I hurried past his office and it fell out of my pocket. He asked me where I got it, and I told him.”
“Go on.”
