A Prescription for Love (6 page)

Mr. Lester faced Clarence. “It’s your responsibility as her betrothed to assist her mother and me in getting her out of here as quickly as possible.”

“I’ve tried.” Clarence gulped at the anger in Mr. Lester’s tone. “Henderson seems to have a grip on her. The longer she stays there, the more difficult we’ll find it to persuade her to do the right thing. The girl has taken leave of her senses.”

Mrs. Lester sniffed into her handkerchief. “I want my little girl back. I don’t know her anymore. Leaving home with merely a curt note, and then taking a job.
A job!
And to ignore our request to return with us is not like her.” Spent, she cried daintily into her handkerchief. Mr. Lester once again sat next to her and patted her hand.

“What we need is a plan,” Clarence said. “When she arrives, I’ll escort her to supper and show her how foolish this whole thing is. Her health is more important to me than anything else in the world.”

With his declaration ringing in their ears, he hopped up and adjusted his jacket. “I’m not waiting for her to come to us. I’ll go to the store now and insist that as my betrothed, she come to supper with me.” He nodded in the Lesters’ direction. “Have no fear, Harold, Mary. I guarantee she will be fully packed and on the train first thing tomorrow.”

Before anyone said a word, he strode from the hotel in the direction of the pharmacy. With all Heidi’s nonsense, the little brat cut into his time with the young whore he’d promised to visit tonight. After checking his watch, he determined it was early enough to see Heidi fed, convinced to leave, and back to her room to pack. The whole thing should be resolved in less than an hour. Still plenty of time for his late night activities.

The pharmacy was locked up tight, the ‘Closed’ sign reflected under the streetlight. Where the hell did Heidi and that shopkeeper go? She’d promised to meet them at the hotel after the place closed. If she were on her way there, they would have met. Damn the girl! Now he had to spend time searching for her. If her father’s businesses weren’t dangling in front of him like a delectable carrot, he’d skip the whole debacle and catch the train back home.

Heidi felt heat rise to her cheeks as Michael held out the chair for her to sit. The Harvey House, newly built along with the train station, had already attracted quite a supper crowd. Harvey Girls, dressed in their uniform of a dark wool dress with a long white apron rushed to and fro between the kitchen and the tables carrying beverages and plates of food. The aroma of something delicious, and fresh-baked bread caused Heidi’s stomach to growl.

Except for the unpleasantness awaiting her back at the hotel, she decided to enjoy her meal and the time with Michael. She chided herself in her foolish adoration of him, and how she thought of him as her knight in shining armor. But until Michael, no one had ever come between her and her parents’ dictates before, and she cherished that. Clarence had always sided with them, enforcing their restrictions, and constantly reminding her of her shortcomings.

Michael peered at her over the white and black menu. “What looks good to you?”

“Everything.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Good. You need to add a few pounds.”

Was he criticizing her? Or had she become too sensitive? The sparkle in his eyes told her whatever he meant, he didn’t disapprove of her. She sighed with relief. Then chastised herself for depending too much on other’s opinions. First her parents, then Clarence, and now Michael. She had to learn to be her own person.

“Good evening. My name is Miss Madeline, and I will serve you tonight. Have you decided what you want?” The young waitress with wavy brown hair tucked into a hairnet-covered bun smiled as she spoke to them.

“Heidi?” Michael glanced in her direction.

“I’ll have the lamb stew, please. The dish sounds wonderful. And a glass of milk.”

The girl wrote on her pad. “That’s a good choice. I had a bit of the stew myself for supper.” She glanced in Michael’s direction. “And you, sir?”

“I’ll have the same thing. Miss Lester is right, it does sound wonderful.”

“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 took in 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, carrying heavy dishes. 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 nodded 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 so? Her eyes searched his. A strange, faint burning in his eyes held her still, as if he felt something, too. He dragged his hand away as the waitress set bowls of stew and large slices of bread 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 your 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 supper 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? How would they feel about 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 supper table.” He shoveled up a spoonful of stew.

“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 enjoy meeting this sister of yours.”

They ate in silence until Michael moved 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, then 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 as his lips tightened. He looked so serious, as if 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, then 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 employer, and she doubted he would be interested in such a milquetoast as her. Most likely he preferred women similar to his sister. Strong, capable, able to take care of themselves. He no doubt thought of her as a helpless waif. 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 drew her closer, then bent to whisper in her ear. “You definitely have to meet Ellie.” He chuckled, then 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 got to his feet 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 touched Heidi briefly on her arm. “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 let’s 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 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 pharmacy.” 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 her 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 spoken up to Mrs. Manfred or to Clarence, either. Beads of sweat gathered on her upper lip. She swiped at them, 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, he glared at Michael. “I will escort you.”

“I have my buggy outside, and since the night air isn’t good for Miss Lester, I will drive her home.” Michael tugged on his gloves.

Clarence’s hands fisted at his side, his cheeks bright red. “Since Miss Lester is
my
fiancée, I will come along for the ride.”

Michael nodded. “If you wish.” He pivoted in the direction of the others, who had 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 moved 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 6

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, one of the reasons 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 had emphasized.