A Prescription for Love (20 page)

“Don’t say a word,” he growled as he strode past her, shrugging out of his coat as he passed.

A jolt of happiness shot through her. Michael certainly didn’t look as if he’d enjoyed himself. She hummed as she waited on the next customer, having a hard time hiding her glee.

Michael stormed back out and strode directly to the counter where he resumed mixing prescriptions. His jerky movements caused him to drop things until he finally took a deep breath, shook his head, and resumed his work.

For the rest of the afternoon, Michael remained grumpy, and she cheerful. Close to six o’clock, her mother entered the store. Fussing with her purse, she sighed deeply and wandered through the aisles, fingering items, sighing some more.

Heidi approached her from behind her and touched her hand. “Is everything all right?”

Her mother’s eyes filled with tears. “Mrs. Wilson is a lovely woman, but she told me today I needed to find somewhere else to live.”

Guilt washed over her. Mrs. Wilson had kept Heidi from having to tell Mother the very same thing. She should be distressed at her mother’s misery, but she wanted her own space back. “I guess you’ll have to return to the hotel and Papa?”

Her mother raised her chin, determination in her eyes. “I will not speak to that man until he apologizes and allows me my opinion.”

Heidi hadn’t heard Michael’s approach until his deep voice rumbled behind them. “Mrs. Lester, if you are sure you want to continue this disagreement with your husband, you may move into my house. I could use a temporary housekeeper.”

Her mother’s hands flew to cover her mouth. “Oh, thank you so much. You are such a wonderful man.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?” Heidi asked. She didn’t want to even imagine her papa’s reaction.

“Yes, I’m certain.” She took Heidi’s hand in hers. “My dissatisfaction has been coming for quite some time. I’ve always accepted what your papa said without question. He insisted on you staying closed up in the house and convinced me you would have an early death if we didn’t follow the dictates of the doctor he admired so much. Fool doctor that he is,” she snapped.

“Despite my fear and anger when you left, you have no idea how much I enjoy seeing you happy and healthy.” She patted Heidi’s cheek before turning to Michael. “I have you to thank. My little girl has grown up since she’s been here.” Pinching her daughter’s chin between her index finger and thumb, she added, “And your medicine has helped so much.”

“Mother, what about your clothes? You can’t keep wearing mine.”

She pulled herself up and nodded. “You are correct. I will go to the hotel right now and gather my belongings.”

The three of them rode the short distance there. Heidi placed her shaky hands in her lap, twisting them so tightly they ached. The last confrontation with her papa hadn’t ended well. She’d never been afraid of him in her whole life, but so many things had changed since she’d left home. How could she predict how he would react to his wife arriving to pack her clothes and move into Michael’s house?

Heidi shifted her attention to Michael. “I think it’s best if you stay here.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to create more difficulties, but perhaps I should speak with your father before this situation goes any further.”

“My mind is made up, Michael,” her mother said. “Until my husband allows the
women
in his family to decide how to run their lives, I will not return to his bed.”

“Mother!” Heidi gulped, the heat rising in her face.

Mrs. Lester patted her hand. “Sorry, dear, that just slipped out.”

Heidi and her mother came across her father sitting in the lobby of the hotel reading a newspaper. He peered over the top of the paper at the sound of Heidi and her mother speaking.

He raised his head as they crossed the lobby. “Have you come to your senses, Mary?”

“No, Harold, I have not come to my senses, I have come for my things.”

He leapt from his seat, crushing the newspaper in his hands. “What the devil does that mean?”

She sailed past him, dragging Heidi along with her. “I have a job.”

“What!” His face turned a deep shade of red, leaning toward purple.

“Papa, calm down.” Heidi touched his arm.

He leaned forward, his hands fisted as his side. “Calm down? Calm Down? My wife of almost thirty years has announced she has a job. And she’s come for her
things
.” He swung in the direction of his wife, wagging his finger in her face. “Mary, if you continue with this foolishness, I may have to take steps.”

“Take whatever steps you wish, dear. Now if you will excuse me, I have packing to do.”

Mr. Lester’s shoulders slumped and he collapsed into his chair. Heidi sat across from him.

“I don’t know that woman anymore. Hell—excuse me, my dear—I don’t know either one of you.” He sighed. “Can I at least know where she’s going?”

Heidi cleared her throat. “She’ll be working as a housekeeper for Michael and living in his house.”

Expecting another eruption, he surprised her by his lack of reaction.

“
Michael
.” He mumbled. “I have grown to hate the very name.”

Heidi sat twisting her fingers and watched her papa slumped in his chair, eyes closed.

“I’m ready.” Mrs. Lester carried a tweed suitcase. She marched to father and daughter and kissed Mr. Lester on the top of his head. “Good night, dear. Be sure to take your stomach draught before bed.”

Then she sailed out the front door, head held high.

“I’m sorry,” Heidi muttered in Papa’s direction as she followed her mother.

Chapter 18

“My parents have a date?” Heidi grinned at Michael as they left the store a few days after Mrs. Lester had assumed his housekeeping duties.

“So your mother said. She told me she would fix supper and leave it for me because she and your papa were going on a date. That was after the flowers arrived with the note from your father.”

Heidi laughed, the sound rippling over him, affecting him like one of his drugs. Today she’d surrendered the usual drab gray work dress for a blue broadcloth with white collar and cuffs that matched her eyes exactly. Her riotous red curls fell softly on her forehead and against her flushed cheek. His eyes focused on the plump, red lips that he wanted to cover with his own.

“You know, I think Mother may be enjoying this little bit of rebellion for more than one reason. I can’t remember the last time Papa sent her flowers. This may turn out to be a very good thing.” She glanced at him, her smile bright, eyes dancing.

“Why don’t you come to my house and have supper with me?” His voice came out raspy as he attempted to control his raging emotions. When she hesitated, he hurried on, “I don’t want to eat alone, and if I know your mother, she’s left me enough to feed the whole town.”

“All right,” Heidi said and took his offered arm.

The end of winter neared, evident in the sun still resting on the horizon, resembling a child’s large balloon. The cool air felt good on his skin as they strolled along. Since the weather had been warmer than usual and would continue for the next few days, he’d left his buggy at home.

By his calculation, not much time remained in Heidi’s bartered-for month. She hadn’t mentioned anything about leaving, and for the first time in years, Michael felt his determination to spend his life alone start to slip. He could see her on his arm, in his house, in his bed. How would his life change if he forced aside his fears, and planned a future? One with a warm, secure home, with children—with Heidi?

The house smelled of fresh-baked bread and some kind of stew. His stomach grumbled as he ridded himself of his coat, then took Heidi’s. They entered the kitchen, where they worked as a team, as if they’d readied supper together every day for years.

Heidi whipped an apron around her waist from the hook by the door, while he took out bowls, plates, cups, and silverware. He set the table as Heidi fetched butter and sliced the bread. After dishing up two helpings of beef stew, they both sat at the same time, grinning at each other as they settled napkins on their laps. They bowed their heads in tandem as Michael said a quick prayer.

“Your mother is as good a cook as her daughter,” Michael said, his eyes alight with mirth.

Heidi swallowed, and wiped her mouth. “It’s amazing since she’s had a cook for years.”

“It seems your father is a successful businessman.”

Heidi nodded. “He owns a few companies, mostly factories. He also has interests in a railroad and I think a lumber mill, but not in Oklahoma. Oh, and he has a silver mine in Nevada, but I’m not sure if it’s producing much anymore.” She chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread.

They ate in silence for a while, until he pushed his empty bowl away and leaned back in his chair. “Where does Clarence fit?”

She shrugged. “He works for Papa.”

Michael raised his eyebrows. “Really? You told me a while ago his mother and your parents have known each other for years, but I didn’t realize he worked for your father.”

Heidi leaned her elbows on the table. “He started in one of his factories, but the last couple of years, Papa has been teaching Clarence different things about all of his businesses.”

For the first time, parts of the puzzle fit together. Manfred’s almost obsession with marrying Heidi when she’d told him, as well as her parents, she didn’t want to marry him. The few times he’d seen Clarence and Heidi together, he didn’t leave with a feeling of genuine affection on the man’s part. He treated Heidi more as a possession than someone he cared for and wanted to build a life with.

Mr. Lester taking Clarence under his wing, so to say, spoke loudly. Did Manfred think his position in Lester’s businesses would improve when he married the daughter? In fact, now that he gave the idea some thought, that seemed certain.

Clarence’s insistence he and Heidi’s parents had agreed to the marriage had made him curious at the time, but now made perfect sense. Michael would bet the Lesters had offered some type of inducement to her fiancé. As if Heidi needed anything to induce someone to marry her! She was beautiful, sweet, loving, funny, and smart. And the list could continue.

So what are you waiting for?

The warmth from the fireplace had nothing to do with the rise in Michael’s temperature, as well as other body parts. He and Heidi sat side-by-side on the sofa in front of the fire staring into the flames. The kitchen had been cleaned up and the dishes washed and put away. She’d agreed to stay for a while since it was still early.

Michael shifted and leaned his arm on the back of the sofa. Her eyes met his, her face flushed, a distinct hitch in her breathing.
Ah, she feels it, too
. He slid closer, attracted like a piece of metal to a magnet. “Heidi.”

“What?”

The word came out a sigh, her sweet breath a perfume as he lowered his head and moved his mouth over hers, touching the softness of her lips. Then he exploded like a summer storm. All the pent up desire he’d buried for the past weeks rose up to torture him. He had to have her, had to feel her body under his. His lips were hard and searching, wanting, begging for an end to the agony of having her near every day and not touching her this way.

He pulled her close as his tongue slid along her lips, searching for entry. When she moaned softly, he eased his way in, trying not to frighten her with his passion, but her mouth tasted of honey, soft and warm. He swept his tongue throughout, deepening his possession, making her
his
. Shaky fingers slipped into her hair, releasing the loose bun, leaving her abundant waves to tumble over her shoulders. His hands fisted the curls as he’d wanted to for so long.

He pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers. “I’ve dreamed of this, of seeing your hair down, running my fingers through it.” They both panted as if completing a race. Watching him with darkened eyes, she ran her tongue over her kiss-swollen lips and he groaned, taking her mouth once more in a searing kiss. Again he slipped his tongue inside, sweeping her sweet mouth, over all the sensitive parts. He released her lips and kissed his way over her jaw, down her neck. She tilted her head, giving him better access, a breathless sigh escaping her lips.

Heidi slid her hands up his chest, leaving a path of fire in their wake. She tugged at the hair at the back of his neck, pulling him closer as he continued his assault. Slowly, his hands moved up from her waist, settling on her ribs. He rubbed his thumbs over her nipples, then cupped the soft globes of her breasts, which filled his hands more than her slight figure suggested.

He lowered her to a reclining position, unbuttoned her dress, then smiled at the perky pink bow at the top of her chemise. He stared into her eyes as he tugged the end of the ribbon, releasing the tie. His stiff fingers released the small pearl buttons on the front, then spread the flaps apart, exposing two perfect white breasts, plump, with rosy nipples already hardened, begging for his attention.

His breath hitched as his gaze roamed over her face, neck, down to her breasts. “My God, you’re beautiful.” Almost a whisper, his voice rasped in reverence.

Heidi moved to cover her breasts with her hands, but he caught them and kissed her fingertips. “No. Don’t ever hide yourself from me.” Moving her hands to either side of her body, he lowered his head and touched the tip of one nipple with his tongue. Heidi jerked. Michael smiled as he swirled the nipple, then took the hardened bud fully into his mouth and suckled.

She moaned softly and moved her hands to his hair, running her fingers through the strands. The gentle touch of her slender fingers ignited him further.

Michael moved to the other breast as Heidi gripped his head, holding him closer. She began to move her body, her legs restless.

He worked his way up her chest to the soft skin of her neck, to her jaw, her lips, and took her mouth with a bruising possessiveness. He ended the kiss, his lips moving against hers as he spoke. “I want you. No matter how much I try to tell myself ‘no,’ the agony won’t stop.” He buried his face against her shoulder and whispered, “I’ve never needed anyone as much as I need you.”