A Prescription for Love (8 page)

“Prepared to quit already?” he asked softly as he ran his knuckles over her soft, damp cheek.

She faced him, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. “I caused a fiasco in the coffee shop. My parents and my fiancé’s mother trail me around town, causing trouble everywhere I go. One night this week I can expect Clarence to pop up and berate me also. There’s nowhere for me to hide from them.” Her eyes flashed. “I asked them to allow me a month, but they won’t.”

Michael nodded. “Good.”

“Good?” Her jaw dropped. “You think it’s good they’re refusing to honor our agreement?”

“No. I think it’s good you’re feeling anger instead of self-pity.”

Heidi drew back as if slapped. “Self-pity? Is that what you think of me?”

He smiled to lighten his words. “Aren’t you doing that very thing? Feeling sorry for yourself because they won’t leave you alone? Ready to quit and return home, be the dutiful daughter and fiancée? Is that the life you truly want for yourself?”

She stared at her lap. “No.”

“Then keep the anger, Heidi. Your family has no right to control you. You’re a woman grown.” He studied her as her features changed from sadness to fear and then anger again.

“You’re right. If I want to stay here a month and try a different life, I will do it.” She lifted her chin and glared at him.

The transformation amazed him, and he’d never seen a more beautiful woman in his life. Two red dots appeared on her cheeks and her blue eyes grew deeper as she fingered the curls off her forehead. Before his brain could kick in and scream
no
, he leaned forward and, putting his hand on the back of her neck, pulled her to him. She closed her eyes as he covered her lips, softly at first, and then deeper when she sighed into his mouth. The slight scent of Belladonna drifted over him, along with her own special fragrance of rosewater and Heidi. Her lips were soft and full, sweet, and salty from her tears. He tugged her closer, and she slid her hands up his chest to circle his neck. The warmth of her body heated him, and stirred his manhood.

Michael opened his eyes and broke from her. Immediately he felt cold, as if the sun had dipped behind a cloud. His palm cupped her cheek. “Do you want an apology?”

“No.” She shook her head and leaned against the seat.

He took up the reins and continued on. What had he done? The poor woman had just recovered from a serious asthma attack, dealt with overwrought emotions, and he’d kissed her? He glanced sideways. If the kiss had affected her in a negative way, she showed no signs of it. She sat erect, her hands resting in her lap, a slight smile on her lips. No, no signs of an adverse reaction at all.

“Have you been keeping your journal?” Michael asked, glancing at her.

She smiled brightly. “Every day. I write how I feel, what I eat, and where I am.”

“What did you have for lunch at the coffee house?”

“An egg salad sandwich and tea. Nothing unusual, and certainly nothing I haven’t had before.”

He thought for a few minutes, and then asked the question he figured he already knew the answer to. “What were you talking about with your parents when your asthma attack started?”

Heidi’s expression dimmed and she mumbled to her lap. “Papa insisted I return home.”

“Stress can trigger an attack.”

She shrugged her shoulders and gazed at the passing houses.

Although still daytime, the gloomy weather made the soft lights from Mrs. Wilson’s parlor glow in the dimness as the buggy stopped in front of the house. Michael wrapped the reins around the dash rail and hopped down. He gripped Heidi’s slim waist as he lifted, and then set her on her feet. He extended his arm, which she took before climbing the stairs.

Once on the porch, Michael touched her arm to stop her. “Tomorrow I’ll inform any visitors you have they are only welcome in the store to purchase something. I don’t mean to cause insult, but I won’t have you upset. You need to feel secure at your job, and I will see to it.”

“Thank you, Michael.”

Still reacting to the kiss, he could feel the sweat beading on his upper lip. “You’re welcome. Get some rest.” He touched her cheek briefly, then waited until she entered the house and closed the door before he hurried down the steps to return to work.

By six o’clock, he had his key in hand to lock up the store and leave. The afternoon had been difficult with Heidi out. The number of people who asked after her amazed him. She’d only been with him a short time, but she’d already made an impression. He had young David mix up sodas after he finished his deliveries, which freed him to prepare prescriptions. Now, with sore feet and a growling stomach, he grabbed his coat and locked up.

He welcomed the numbness in his brain as he traveled the dark streets to his home. His comfortable house came into view, the only shadowy structure on the block. He drove the buggy into the carriage house and took care of the horse before entering through the back door.

Familiar objects came into view as he moved from lamp to lamp to touch the wicks with a match. The dark blue sofa, with its embroidered pillows, compliments of his sister, Rachel, offered comfort to the tired body. Two overstuffed chairs sat in front of the fireplace, as if waiting for him to select a wife and settle there each evening. Something he’d promised himself years ago he would never do.

While leftover vegetable soup heated on the stove, he lit the fireplace, then stared at the flames, his arm resting on the mantle. What was he to do about Heidi Lester? The idea of them being merely employer and employee had evaporated this afternoon when he’d kissed her, and she hadn’t objected. Even though she’d sworn her determination to stay for a month and taste some freedom, she could still change her mind and return to the comfortable and coddled life she’d left. She had adoring parents and an anxious fiancé ready to escort her back at a moment’s notice.

Why the hell would he care? Hadn’t one broken heart been enough?

Chapter 7

After a busy week, Clarence boarded the train at the Oklahoma City station. He cursed under his breath as he settled in a seat across from a bulky man smoking a cigar. The train being crowded, there were no other seats available, so he reconciled himself to choking his way to Guthrie.

Guthrie! Every time he thought about his newly stubborn fiancée, anger shot through him. Tonight he should have been paying the obligatory weekly visit to her parlor right here in Oklahoma City, and then heading to his mistress’s house for a night of pleasure. Instead, he sat on this miserable train to pay homage to the woman who held his comfortable future in her hands.

The fact that she lasted all week rankled. Had he been a betting man, he’d be short quite a bit of funds right now. Never in his wildest imaginings would he have thought she’d have the nerve to pack up and leave her home, let alone remain a week working in a store like a common shopkeeper. The girl had cowed under her parents’ edicts all her life. He’d expected to have the same sort of wife. Why had she picked now, when his ambitions were within grasp, to defy them all?

Two and a half hours later, the train pulled into the Guthrie station. Clarence checked his pocket watch. Seven minutes past eight o’clock. Obviously the store would be closed, so his best plan would be to check into the hotel and see if he could locate his mother, who might know the whereabouts of his fiancée. The whole situation bordered on outrageous, and he needed to talk some sense into the girl so everyone could quit this place.

The hotel lobby radiated a bit of warmth. The walk from the train station hadn’t taken long, but the lowering temperatures outside made the blazing fireplace welcome.

Clarence blew on his hands as he approached the desk clerk. “A room, please.”

The desk clerk shifted a cigar from one side of his mouth to the other, then slid a large book in his direction. He handed him an ink pen. “Sign here.” While Clarence wrote the information, the clerk turned, and after studying an array of keys hanging from the hooks on the large board behind him, took one and handed it to Clarence. “Room Eighteen.”

“Do you happen to know if Mrs. Manfred is in the hotel this evening?”

The clerk thought for a moment. “She left a bit ago with Mr. and Mrs. Lester. I think one of them mentioned The Pollard Theater.”

“Wonderful,” Clarence mumbled to himself as he reached for his satchel, then climbed the stairs to the second floor. Here he remained in this blasted town, with no way to locate Heidi and begin his campaign to convince her to come back with him when he left Sunday.

After unpacking his few belongings, his growling stomach reminded him he needed to eat. Afterward he would visit the saloon and look up his favorite whore, whose name he still couldn’t remember. Not that he cared what her name was. He only cared about her body and her willingness to do anything he paid her to do.

“Heidi, since we’ve established night air is not good for your health, I’ll continue to see you home you each evening.” Michael removed the keys to the store from his front pocket, then held the door for her.

She clenched the soft woolen scarf tighter around her neck and face when a blast of cold air struck her as they stepped into the street. “I hate to inconvenience you. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

Michael shook his head and gripped her elbow. “No. It’s no trouble.”

Heads braced against the icy wind, they hurried to the livery where his buggy and horse waited. Michael nodded at the liveryman as he helped Heidi in and handed her the heavy wool blanket from the back seat.

She shivered as she tucked its warmth snugly around her legs. Michael climbed up, wrapped the leather reins in his large hand, and slapped the horse’s back.

Once on the road, he shot her a look. “Did you have a nice lunch with your parents?”

Heidi’s shoulders shook with the cold. She definitely needed to put on some weight. He resisted the urge to pull her close, share his warmth.

“Y-y-yes I did.” Her jaw trembled as she spoke.

“Are things a little easier with them now?”

“S-s-somewhat. They still think I’ve c-c-contracted some type of b-b-brain fever, t-t-though.” She chuckled. “Maybe I have. I’ve n-n-never done th-th-this kind of thing b-b-before.”

Michael sighed, battle lost. He transferred both reins to one hand, and held out the other to her. “Come here.”

Hugging herself, her eyes met his with alarm. “W-w-what?”

“Move closer to me. You’re shaking so hard I’m afraid you’ll tumble off the seat.”

She slid over, barely touching him. He grunted, draped his arm around her shoulders, and tucked her in close. She sat stiff as a board.

“Are they enjoying their stay here?”

“Y-y-yes. They’re g-g-going to the theater tonight. They invited me, but I didn’t f-f-feel up to it.” She snuggled closer, obviously enjoying the heat. Her muscles eased, her body slackened.

And his hardened. One part of him, anyway. Her rosewater scent drifted toward him, and a few soft curls tickled his jaw as she swayed when the buggy hit small holes in the road. Somehow she felt right in his arms. A perfect fit.

Michael inwardly groaned when he thought about another way she would fit, naked, and writhing underneath him. Her soft, sweet breath hitching, slender arms holding him close as she found her release and cried his name.

Damn. I’m treading into dangerous territory here.

“How are your parents getting around while visiting?” he asked. Maybe polite discourse would divert blood back to his brain.

“A rented buggy now and then.”

He blew out a breath of relief when Mrs. Wilson’s house came into view. Soft lights shone through the window, a beacon welcoming its inhabitants after a long day.

Heidi shifted and straightened her coat and scarf. “Thank you for the ride. I appreciate it.”

“I’m only too glad to do it. I can’t have my employee showing up sick for work.” He winked at her.

She folded the blanket into a neat square as he stopped the buggy, then climbed down to help her out.

They proceeded up the steps to the porch. He squeezed her hand. “Don’t forget tomorrow is the birthday supper at my aunt and uncle’s house.”

“No, I remember. I’m looking forward to meeting your family. Especially Ellie.”

He slowly raised his hand to cup her cheek, then quickly drew it back. “Well, good night, then. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Heidi nodded and entered the house.

Michael shivered. All of a sudden he felt very cold.

He headed for home and fixed a simple supper of a cold beef sandwich and coffee. Restlessness took over once he finished his meal. Quite some time had passed since he’d visited the woman he’d had an arrangement with. But when he considered being intimate with a woman, only Heidi’s face rose before him. How would she look in the throes of passion? Her face flushed, her eyes darkened. Would she scream with her release, or sigh softly, a whisper between her plump lips?

She’s a betrothed woman
. Although in the last few days he’d noticed the absence of her engagement ring.

He picked up a book on the Revolutionary War he’d started the week before, but the story held no interest. He’d read the same paragraph three times before he slammed the book shut. Maybe he should return to the store and start his yearly inventory. Very unappealing. Finally, he decided to visit one of the saloons in town, something he rarely did, but he felt the need to be around people. Anything to take his mind off this growing attraction to his store clerk.

Neither one of them had mentioned the kiss, but the tension in the air when only the two of them were in the store crackled. He found his gaze drifting from his task to wherever Heidi worked. Her enthusiasm for the job continued and his business had actually grown from her presence. A flash of annoyance jolted him when he realized his male customers had increased. No one appeared immune to Heidi’s tinkling laughter, her bright smile, and friendly manner. Her eyes fairly glowed with happiness as she waited on customers.

Even the high school kids who stopped by for candy and sodas after school were drawn to her. More than one pimply youth showed all the signs of puppy love and came in each day to watch her mix sodas and joke with the young people.