A Prescription for Love (15 page)

“Michael?” Heidi nudged him. The buggy had stopped, and Mr. Lester helped Mrs. Lester out.

“Sorry.” He quickly jumped down and held out his hand. They hurried through the gilded glass doors of the hotel and into the vacant lobby. The nasty weather had kept most people snug in their homes.

A blast of warm air from two brightly burning fireplaces on opposite walls enveloped them like rays from bright sunshine. Mr. Lester led them to the dining room, where the two couples settled at a table near the welcoming heat of a warming stove. The wood crackled as tiny spurts of sparks exploded.

“I think I’ll leave my coat on for a while.” Heidi shivered as she hugged herself.

Only two other tables were occupied, giving the room an abandoned look. The Saratoga Hotel had a reputation for its clean, comfortable rooms, but most residents of Guthrie knew the best food in town could be had in the hotel’s expansive dining room. To see the space this empty testified to the foul weather beyond its doors.

A barrel-shaped woman with a stained apron wrapped around her middle approached their table. “Good evening, Mrs. Lester, Mr. Lester. Nasty night out there.”

“Yes, it certainly is.” Mr. Lester leaned toward Michael. “Mrs. Davidson is the best cook in all of Oklahoma Territory.”

Michael smiled at the woman. “I must agree with you, sir, I’ve had the pleasure of eating Mrs. Davidson’s cooking many times.”

“Mrs. Davidson, this is our daughter, Heidi.” Mrs. Lester beamed with pride at her daughter.

“Such a lovely young woman.” Mrs. Davidson smiled at her. “And in the company of such a fine man as Michael.” She nodded in Michael’s direction.

“Where is Natalie tonight?” Mrs. Lester asked, a bit flustered.

“Things are so quiet tonight, with the storm and all, I sent her home a while ago.”

Mrs. Lester leaned toward Heidi. “Natalie is Mrs. Davidson’s daughter. She helps her mother in the kitchen and serves the customers.” Turning her attention to Michael, she added, “A very pretty girl. Friendly, helpful. Would make any man a wonderful wife.”

Heidi blushed and glanced in Michael’s direction.

Mrs. Davidson held up a folder. “Do you know what you want, or do y’all need to see the menu?”

“Is chicken and dumplings on the menu tonight by any chance?” Mr. Lester actually licked his lips in anticipation.

She smiled broadly, causing her eyes to almost disappear in her rounded face. “Yes, it is.”

“That’s for me.” He nodded to his wife. “Mary?”

“Same for me, too.”

Michael’s growling stomach nudged him. “Make that three.”

“Four.” Heidi grinned, then took a delicate sip from her water glass.

Mrs. Davison nodded, then headed to the kitchen.

Mr. Lester cleared his throat and addressed Michael. “Heidi tells us you attended pharmacy school, Mr. Henderson.”

“Please, it’s Michael. Yes, I studied at the Norman University School of Pharmacy. I graduated eight years ago.” He helped Heidi remove her coat, then draped it around the back of her chair.

Mrs. Lester’s eyebrows rose. “And you already own the pharmacy?”

“My aunt and uncle loaned me the money to buy the store.”
“Michael’s uncle is Senator Jesse Cochran.” A slight note of wonder tinged Heidi’s voice.

Both Lesters raised their eyebrows. “Senator Cochran is your uncle?”

“Yes.” Michael smiled at Mrs. Davidson as she placed a dish brimming with the delicious chicken and dumplings in front of him.

“Mrs. Lester and I have a great deal of respect for the Senator. He’s one of the few honest men in politics. I especially respect his position on family values. A wonderful man, your uncle. We could use more men like him. You should be proud to be related, young man.”

Michael nodded. “He and my Aunt Tori raised us after my parents died.”

“You have brothers and sisters?”

“Two sisters and one brother.”

After everyone had been served, Mr. Lester said the blessing, and conversation ceased as everyone dug into their supper. Heidi’s papa had certainly suggested a wonderful dish. The chicken melted in his mouth, the gravy and dumplings full of flavor.

The previously occupied tables soon emptied until the he, the Lesters, and Heidi remained the only patrons in the dining room.

Mr. Lester leaned back and patted his middle. “Delicious.” He glanced at his wife. “My dear, you must ask Mrs. Davidson for her recipes before we return home.”

Heidi wiped her mouth and placed the napkin alongside her plate. “Papa, why
are
you still here?”

Mrs. Lester patted her hand. “We want to be close to you, sweetheart.”

“But I’m doing fine. My breathing problem doesn’t trouble me much anymore. And when I do have an attack, I use the medicine Michael gave me, and it works.” She chewed on her lip.

Mr. Lester crossed his arms over his chest. “Actually, Mother and I are having a bit of a vacation while we’re here. We’ve been to the theater, the new library, and some of the nice shops along Main Street.”

“And best of all, I’ve found a wonderful seamstress who is making some dresses for me,” Mrs. Lester added.

Heidi’s eyes filled with tears. “Are you sure that’s the reason, or do you want to be here to pick me up when I fail?”

The Lesters glanced at each other, but kept silent. Heidi wiped her damp cheeks, and Michael’s insides shifted. Couldn’t they see how much Heidi craved their acceptance of her decision? Did they hope to control her life, then hand her over to Clarence Manfred for a life of misery? Did they even truly know Manfred?

Mrs. Lester took a deep breath. “Of course we don’t expect you to fail. We only want you to be happy. To be married and settled before Papa and I die.”

“Oh, Mother. For heaven’s sakes. You and Papa have many years ahead of you.” Placing her hands in her lap, she regarded her mother. “Why do you think I’d be happy married to Clarence?”

Mrs. Lester’s mouth opened in surprise. “I thought you accepted Clarence’s proposal of marriage because that’s what you wanted?”

Heidi lowered her eyelids. “No, Mother. It’s what you, Clarence, and his mother want.”

“Well I’m certainly surprised. Is that why you left home?” Mr. Lester asked.

“Yes and no.” She stiffened her slender shoulders and met his scrutiny.

“Heidi, your change of mind is a serious matter. Clarence is expecting to marry you when your”—Mrs. Lester waved her hand around—“adventure is finished.”

Heidi’s face flushed. “I’m not having an
adventure,
Mother. I’m trying to live
my
life. Not the life everyone else wants for me.” Deflating like a balloon, she added, “I only want some time to think about it.”

Michael considered what part he should play. As much as the Lesters cared for their daughter, they didn’t appear to really know the type of man they intended to hand her over to. But would they believe him if he disclosed what he knew? He certainly wouldn’t say anything now with them all sitting around the supper table in the Saratoga Hotel, but sometime in the near future, he might have to pull Mr. Lester aside and have a conversation.

Mind your own business. It’s not your concern.

For now he would listen to the little voice trying to protect his heart. But the thought of that bully putting his hands on Heidi, touching her creamy soft skin, lying on top of her, as he did with his whores, maybe even passing on some kind of a disease, tugged at his conscience. He shoved such an uncomfortable thought to the back of his mind when Mr. Lester addressed him.

“I want to thank you, Michael, for taking care of our little girl. If she insists on working, I’m glad she has someone looking out for her.”

Heidi’s face reddened as she studied her lap.

Michael bristled. He’d heard enough. “Mr. Lester, with all due respect, I have to disagree with you.”

“Oh?” Mr. Lester raised his eyebrows once again.

“Heidi is not a little girl, and she doesn’t need someone to look after her. She puts in a full day’s work and does as good a job, if not better, than my previous employee. If she has a problem with her breathing, she takes care of it herself in the back of the store.”

Silence descended on the table. Heidi glanced sideways at him, her lips tilted in a slight smile. Mrs. Lester stared at her lap and Mr. Lester sat wide-eyed.

“Well. I’m certainly happy to hear you say so,” Mr. Lester said, his jaw clenched. “But since Heidi is our daughter and we know what’s best for her, having someone nearby in case she has trouble is crucial.”

“And I agree with you, Mr. Lester. I’m always there if Heidi has problems. What I’m trying to convey is she doesn’t require my help very often. In fact, she needs me more to explain how to mix medicines when she helps me, than she does with her breathing. She has her illness under control.”

Mr. Lester nodded, appearing somewhat mollified.

Mrs. Davidson approached the table with coffee cups and slices of pie balanced on a round tray. “I know you love my peach pie, Mr. Lester, so I cut y’all some pieces to enjoy with your coffee.”

“Thank you. Yes, I do love your peach pie.” Mr. Lester faced Heidi and Michael. “You’re in for a real treat now.”

The rest of the meal passed with pleasant conversation about the weather, the plays the Lesters had seen, and a discussion about Mrs. Manfred deciding to return home because she felt Clarence needed her.

“Can I convince the two of you to secure rooms here in the hotel for the night, instead of going out into that miserable weather?” Mr. Lester asked as he rose from the table.

Michael pulled out Heidi’s chair. “A reasonable suggestion, but if Heidi would rather leave, I’ll be glad to drive her in your buggy and return it in the morning so you don’t have to venture out.”

“I would love to stay here, Mother, but I’m concerned Mrs. Wilson would be worried about me, and I don’t want to cause her any trouble.” Heidi shrugged into her coat with Michael’s assistance.

Mrs. Lester sighed. “All right, sweetheart. We’re having supper tomorrow night at the home of a lovely couple we met at the theater the other night, so we’ll see you in a couple of days.” She took Heidi’s arm and they strolled the hotel lobby toward the front door.

Michael pulled on his gloves and nodded at Mr. Lester. “I’ll return your buggy to the livery in the morning, sir.”

The older man slapped him on the back. “I’d appreciate that, young man.” He held out his hand. “It has been a pleasure, Michael. Give my regards to your uncle. Wonderful man, the Senator.”

Heidi tucked her scarf around her mouth after kissing and hugging her parents. Michael took her arm in his, and they lowered their heads as ice pellets struck them in the face. Coat collars tucked in snugly, they hurried the few steps to the hotel’s livery.

The smell of wet hay and horses assailed him as they entered the building. Gathered close to his side, Heidi shivered and wiped the water off her face as Michael helped her into the buggy. Reaching to the back seat, he handed her a woolen blanket, which she wrapped around her. She scrunched down in the seat, her body still wracked with tremors.

Slapping the reins, he spoke to the horse. “Sorry, boy, I hate to send you out in these conditions, but soon you’ll be in a cozy stall in my barn.”

What a miserable night. His conveyance rode alone on the dark, muddy street. Two figures huddled in the doorway of the barbershop. Poor fellows. Not a good night to be without shelter. A soaked dog plodded across the street, his head lowered in misery.

Michael glanced sideways at Heidi, huddled in the blanket, shivering. He reached his arm over and drew her against him, enfolding her in the crook of his arm, her head against his shoulder.

“Thank you.” She looked up at him. “And not just for the warmth.”

Michael glanced down at her perfectly shaped lips curved in a warm smile. “What for?”

“For telling my parents I’m not a little girl who needs watching over.”

He shrugged. “It’s true. You’re not a little girl, and you shouldn’t let them treat you that way. Having a medical condition doesn’t cause immaturity. It merely creates illness—on occasion.”

Heidi sighed. “It’s hard for them not to. Birthdays came and went, but in their eyes, I never got past twelve years of age.”

“Your parents will eventually understand. You took the first step, and I’m proud of you for sticking to your guns.”

Her eyes sparkled. “You are?”

He smiled back. “Yes. You’re a remarkable woman, Heidi, and don’t let anyone tell you any different.”

Once again subjected to Heidi’s scent, her softness and warmth, played havoc with his body. Despite the ice blowing in his face, he still needed to shift in his seat to accommodate her effect on his body.

When they stopped in front of Mrs. Wilson’s house, Michael eyed Heidi. “You took another first step tonight, too.”

“I did?” She shifted away from him and straightened her coat.

“Yes. You told your parents you weren’t interested in marrying Clarence.”

She grinned. “They were shocked, did you notice?”

He nodded. “But it’s important to let them know how you feel.” He waited a beat, then lowered his voice. “How
do
you feel?”

Her breath hitched. “What do you mean?”

“How do you feel about marrying a man everyone wants as your husband except you?”

“Trapped.” The word came out a whisper.

Michael placed his index finger under her chin, raising her head until their eyes met. “You’re the only one who can release the latch on that trap, Heidi.”

She swallowed, her slim neck drawing his eyes.

Michael’s blood raced to his groin. The icy drizzle had stopped, but even with the cold air, sweat gathered on his chest and back. He needed to taste her. Lowering his head, he took her mouth in a hungry kiss. He cupped her face in his hands and rubbed his thumbs over the smooth skin of her cheeks. With his heart thudding in his chest, he shifted and took the kiss deeper.

Heidi moaned, and he exploded with a jolt of heat and need. He wanted her. Wanted her naked beneath him, gasping for breath, calling his name as her body shuddered with release. He wanted to throw his head back and pour himself into her warm, moist center. Then hold her close when he finished, nuzzle her slender neck, run his hungry fingers over her luscious curves.