“Coming right up.” Miss Madeline left them with a smile and spoke to two gentlemen as she picked up a few dirty dishes on her way to the kitchen.
Heidi looked around at the flowered wallpaper, polished hard wood floors, and long counter with patrons enjoying their meals. “I wonder what it’s like to work here?”
“I think it’s a pretty hard job,” Michael answered. “The girls labor long hours, and are on their feet the whole time. But I understand the waitresses earn good money, and most of them end up finding husbands.”
“How do you know so much about it?” Heidi smiled at the waitress who’d returned with two glasses of cold milk.
“My sister has a couple of friends who work here. In fact, you should meet my sister, Ellie. She’s a force to be reckoned with. She attends Women’s Rights meetings.” He chuckled.
“Women’s Rights?” Heidi’s eyes grew wide. “What’s that?”
Michael threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, you should meet my sister. She would certainly set you straight about women taking care of themselves.”
“I’m taking care of myself.”
Michael laid his hand over hers. “Yes. You’re making a good start.”
Heat shot from where his warm hand rested on hers. Her heart sped up, and a knot rose in her throat. How could this man’s touch affect her like this? Her eyes searched his. A strange, faint burning in his eyes held her still, as if he felt something too. He slowly pulled his hand away as the waitress set bowls of stew in front of them. Heidi shivered with a chill the absence of his hand created.
Michael cleared his throat and dug into the fragrant stew.
Heidi chewed thoughtfully, as her heart calmed. She turned her thoughts to women’s rights. What a strange idea. She would like to meet this sister of his. A woman who knew how to take care of herself. Imagine.
“Does you sister live in Guthrie?”
“She rents a room in a boarding house here in town. It’s a short walk to the high school where she teaches history.” He shook his head and grinned. “She’s a character.” Then he sat back and regarded her. “I’ll tell you what. Saturday Tori and Uncle Jesse are celebrating their oldest son, Paul’s, birthday. I’ve been invited to dinner, and I’d like you to come along, if you want to.”
“Your family?” Her stomach clenched. Meet an entire group of new people? What would they think of her? What would they think of her being with Michael? But the thought of meeting his sister, who believed women should have ‘rights,’ intrigued her. She’d never met anyone like that.
“Would your aunt and uncle mind if you brought me along?”
Michael shook his head. “Not at all. Everything at the Cochran house is chaos, anyway. There are always extra people at the dinner table.” He continued to eat.
“Cochran?” Heidi gasped. “Your Uncle Jesse is Senator Jesse Cochran?”
“The one and only.” He winked.
“Now I’m really nervous.”
“Don’t be. Uncle Jesse is the most down to earth person you’ll ever meet.” The warmth of his smile echoed in his voice. “What do you say? Do you want to meet a woman who will probably scare you half to death?”
She stared at him for a moment. “Yes. Yes I would. I would very much like to meet this sister of yours.”
They ate in silence until Michael pushed away his empty bowl and rested his forearms on the table. “Now we have to discuss an unpleasant subject.”
Heidi winced. The hotel. Her parents. Clarence. For a short time she’d forgotten all about them. More determined than ever not to bow to their wishes, she raised her chin. “Unpleasant, perhaps. But they haven’t changed my mind. I’m staying.”
Michael threw her a gut-wrenching smile that set free dozens of butterflies in her stomach.
Don’t read too much into it, Heidi, he’s just a really nice man.
“Good girl. Remember, your family can talk all they want, but nobody can force you go anywhere you don’t want to.”
He signaled to the waitress for the check, and regarded Heidi as he reached in his back pocket for his wallet. “I would prefer not to argue with you about the check this time. I invited you to supper, so it’s my responsibility.”
Heidi laughed. He looked so serious, like he readied himself for an argument. “Fine. I’ll concede.” As her little cache of money slowly disappeared, she felt no angst in accepting his offer.
After Michael paid the cashier, Heidi wrapped her scarf around her mouth and nose, and buttoned up her coat. Ready for the cold weather, she headed out the door he held open.
“Do you still want me to accompany you to the hotel?” He took her arm in his, and helped her over the icy patches in the road.
Warmth immediately diffused her body, and her heart leapt. A scary matter. Everything about Michael Henderson appealed to her. The masculine smell of the woodsy soap he used, the strength of his body, as well as his character. She could easily fall for her boss, and she doubted he would be interested in such a milquetoast as her. Most likely he preferred women like his sister. Strong, capable, able to take care of themselves. He no doubt thought of her as a pity project. Amazing how that thought stung.
“I wish I could say no, but would you mind terribly? I’m not ready to face them all at one time.” She shivered with, and hated her sniveling weakness.
He studied her. “Don’t fret. I’ll go with you. Given the way your life has been up to now, it’s understandable you’d be a bit nervous.” He pulled her closer, and bent to whisper in her ear. “You definitely have to meet Ellie.” He chuckled and they headed to the hotel.
“Where have you been?” Clarence jumped up from his seat in the lobby the minute he saw her.
“I−rather we−had supper.” Her heart thumped, almost choking her.
He eyed her suspiciously. “I checked the coffee shop, and you weren’t there.”
Michael unbuttoned his coat and placed his hands on his hips. “Miss Henderson and I ate at The Harvey House down at the train station. We were both hungry after our long day, and decided to eat first.”
Mr. Lester stood and held his hand out toward Michael. “Mr. Henderson, I appreciate you looking after my little girl. Now if you will excuse us, we need to see Heidi packed up so we can return home in the morning.”
Michael stared at the hand and shook his head, a wry smile on his face. “I think you all should sit down and talk this out.” He turned to Heidi. “I need to speak to Jasper over at the front desk.” After nodding to her family, he wandered off, but not too far, she noted.
“Mother, Papa, please sit down.” She waved in the direction of the chairs.
“Young lady, you must do as your parents instruct and go on home with them. My Clarence has been beside himself since you left, and wedding plans need to be finalized.” Mrs. Manfred had fired the first shot in the battle.
Heidi glanced at Michael’s back. I can do this. “I don’t want to return home. I want to stay here, and work at the drugstore.” She held her hand up as everyone opened their mouths to speak. “Let me finish.” Drawing on every bit of strength she had, she continued. “I ask for you to allow me a month. One month. And then if you’re right, and I can’t handle a job, can’t take care of myself, then I will return home and plan the wedding.”
She glanced at Clarence and shuddered inside at the last part. After spending time with Michael, the thought of being married for the rest of her life to someone who thought so little of her, angered and frightened at the same time.
Everyone started talking at once. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Michael strolling back to their group, hands in his pockets. Her spirits picked up to have him on her side. She didn’t have to handle everything on her own.
“I’ve made my decision. I will stay here for at least a month.” She raised her chin, but shook so badly on the inside, her anxiety had to be noticeable to the rest of them. Never in all her twenty-three years had she defied her parents’ wishes. Never had she sp
oken up to Mrs. Manfred, or to Clarence either. Beads of sweat gathered on her upper lip. She swiped at it, and stood.
“Now if you will excuse me, I need to return home−my home here−and get some sleep.”
Clarence rose, and even though he spoke to Heidi, glared at Michael. “I will escort you home.”
“I have my buggy outside, and since the night air isn’t good for Miss Lester, I will drive her home.” Michael pulled on his gloves.
Clarence’s hands were fisted at his side, and his cheeks bright red. “Since Miss Lester is my fiancée, I will come along for the ride.”
Michael nodded. “If you wish.” He turned in the direction of the others still seated, stunned expressions on their faces. “Mr. Lester, Mrs. Lester, Mrs. Manfred. Have a pleasant evening.”
Heidi bit her lip to keep from laughing. She had one month. Time enough to convince them she could take care of herself. She pecked her parents on the cheek. “Mother, Papa, I will see you in a month.”
“Not so fast, little girl.” Her papa stopped her as she turned to leave. “If you insist in this foolishness, your mother and I will stay right here in Guthrie until you come to your senses.”
“As will I.” Mrs. Manfred added, nodding her head once.
Clarence took her arm, and patted her hand. “You can expect to see me on Friday evenings, after I’ve finished my work week.”
Heidi groaned. Everyone checking up on her didn’t fall in with her plans. The whole thing had become a three-ring circus.
Chapter Six
Clarence pushed the batwing door of the saloon open and stepped up to the bar. “Whiskey,” he called out to the bartender, busy at the other end flirting with one of Miss Lizzy’s girls. He tossed his money on the bar and tapped his fingers on the worn wood. The entire situation irked. What the hell had happened to the girl? She’d always been so meek and accommodating, the main reason he’d agreed to marry her.
When Mr. Lester had approached him a while back with the proposition to marry Heidi, and take ownership of his lucrative businesses, the idea seemed perfect. Clarence would pay Lester a healthy stipend each month, but the rest of the profits were his−to provide well for his daughter, Lester emphasized.
Clarence had worked for one of Lester’s businesses for seven years and hated the day in and day out routine. He wanted more from life. He wanted a big house, servants, an accommodating mistress, exotic travel, good whiskey. Those things would never come to him on a working man’s salary. As the owner of several profitable businesses, he could have everything he dreamed of.
Although Heidi Lester had a beautiful face and a fine, although delicate, figure, she held no appeal for him. Mousy, no backbone. Lester had made him agree to have a marriage in name only. He and his wife didn’t want their little girl to suffer the burden of a man’s attentions and the resulting pregnancies, which worked well for Clarence. Visions of her coughing and wheezing her head off as he attempted to bed her, squelched any desire on his part to have the girl. Plenty of women would be more than willing to accommodate him.
Now with his dreams so close, the little twit had to grow a backbone. But he knew where her backbone had come from−Michael Henderson. Why the man had any interest in Heidi remained a mystery. Unless he knew of her father’s businesses, and that Heidi’s husband would benefit enormously. Life must be mighty dreary working in a store every day, dealing with customer complaints about their illnesses. If he thought to assume Clarence’s place, Henderson could forget it. Clarence wasn’t setting his little gold mine free.
The young whore−he didn’t remember her name even though she’d told him numerous times−sidled up to him and pressed her breasts against his arm. “I’ve been waitin’ for ya, Clarence.”
“Have you now?” He gulped a shot of whiskey, and patted her bottom, leaving his hand there to massage and pinch.
She smiled a sultry grin. “Ya wanna go upstairs?”
He grabbed the whiskey bottle and waved in the direction of the steps. “Lead the way.”
Tomorrow he would deal with Miss Lester. Most irritating and inconvenient, to race back and forth between Oklahoma City and Guthrie to ensure Henderson didn’t usurp his place.
He tucked his hand inside the whore’s bodice and tweaked her nipple as she ascended the stairs ahead of him. “I got something to put a smile on your face.”
“Me too,” she giggled, and opened the door to her small room.
****
Michael looked up from the various jars and bottles in front of him at the sound of the doorbell. Mr. and Mrs. Lester entered, with Mrs. Manfred on their heels. He sighed to himself and continued to work, taking furtive glances at his employee as the three approached the counter where she arranged packages of tobacco.
“Heidi, dear. Did you have breakfast this morning?” Mrs. Lester patted her daughter’s cheek as Mr. Lester stood behind her, arms crossed, glaring at Michael.
“Yes Mother. In fact, Mrs. Wilson−my landlady−allows me to cook breakfast in her kitchen, and Michael−rather Mr. Henderson−and I eat in the back room here. Today I fixed scrambled eggs and biscuits.”
Mrs. Lester dabbed at the corner of her eye with a delicate linen handkerchief, and shook her head slightly. “So much work for you. My poor little girl will wear herself out.”
Mrs. Manfred stepped forward and took Heidi’s hand. “I promised Clarence I would look out for you while he is at work each day. You must know he is worried sick over this little adventure you’re having.”
Heidi chewed her lip, then looked up in relief when old Mrs. Benson entered the store. “Excuse me Mother, Papa, Mrs. Manfred, but I must see to the customers.”
“Wait.” Mr. Lester took her by the arm. “We would like you to join us for the noon meal. We’ll be back at twelve, is that when you close?”
“Yes. Noon is fine. I’ll see you then.” Heidi hurried around the counter and approached Mrs. Benson with a large smile. “Good morning, ma’am, how may I help you?”
The Lester party left, with Mrs. Lester leaning on her husband’s arm, sniffling.
Michael tried hard not to laugh at the picture the three of them made. No wonder his clerk was afraid of her own shadow. To be smothered all her life would cripple the strongest woman. He returned to his work and continued to dwell on Heidi Lester. Hadn’t his experience with Alice taught him anything? His best interests lay in distancing himself from Heidi as much as possible.
Therein, the problem. Every day, thoughts of his clerk consumed him. He couldn’t erase her from his mind. Her scent, her smile, her giggle, the way her hips swayed when she walked across the floor. The blonde curls forever escaping her bun. These images danced before him even in his sleep.
He had no idea what had possessed him to offer an introduction to Ellie. His sister could be downright scary at times. The baby of the family, it seemed she wanted to prove she had truly grown up. He hoped she would go easy on Heidi. Ellie held the opinion women did not need men in any capacity, and planned her life to exclude them.
What a family he’d come from. Although he and his siblings all had the wonderful example of Tori and Jesse’s marriage, he remained a confirmed bachelor. Ellie had no use for men, and his brother Hunter spent his time away from home, tracking down criminals. The only happily married one, his sister Rachel, had lost her husband to pneumonia several years ago, and had placed her heart firmly on the shelf as she raised her son.
The next time he checked his watch, noon had arrived. On the dot of twelve, the three musketeers, as he’d begun to think of them, returned to the store. Flushed, most likely with nerves, Heidi retrieved her coat from the back room, and looking as though she marched to the gallows, left with them. She gave Michael a slight wave as she walked out the door.
He grabbed his coat and after locking the store, headed toward the coffee shop. Unfortunately, Heidi and her family were seated at a table near the front window when he arrived. He nodded briefly in their direction, and took a seat at th
e counter.
As he passed their table, Heidi’s father leaned forward, speaking earnestly with her as he patted his wife’s hand. Michael’s stomach tightened even though they directed none of their angst at him.
“What can I get ya?” Honey, the waitress who’d been at the coffee shop for years, distracted him, notebook pad and pencil in hand.
He smiled at the older woman. No matter the day, she always had a smile for everyone. “What’s good?”
“Everything.” She grinned. “Do you realize, Mr. Henderson, you ask that question every day, and every day I give you the same answer?”
“I like the sound of your voice.” He winked. “All right, since I must decide, I’ll have the chicken and noodles. And tea.”
“Good choice.” She continued to write as she proceeded down the counter. She returned shortly and deposited a glass of tea in front of him and continued on to the kitchen.
The sound of silverware clinking and the buzz of conversation around him blocked out whatever conversation Heidi and her family had. He took a sip of the tea, the cool liquid easing his dry throat.
He struck up a conversation with Ed Barker, the hardware store owner, who bemoaned the unreliability of his suppliers. Halfway through his bowl of chicken and noodles, a commotion occurred behind them.
“Someone help, my daughter needs help.” Mrs. Lester’s voice rose above the murmurs of the crowd.
Michael turned and immediately left his seat.
Heidi leaned over the table, holding her middle, and gasping for breath. Her face had lost all color, and tears tracked down her cheeks. Mrs. Lester fluttered her hands, looking around. Mr. Lester demanded in a loud voice that someone send for a doctor, while Mrs. Manfred fanned Heidi with her handkerchief.
Michael elbowed his way into the group, and lifted Heidi in his arms. She grasped the lapels of his jacket, and looked frantically at him. Michael spoke soothingly. “Heidi, relax. Calm down. Take slow, even breaths.”
“Where are you taking my daughter?” Mrs. Lester gasped.
“To the kitchen. She needs help.”
A Prescription For Love: An Oklahoma Lovers book Page 5