A Prescription for Love (29 page)

“She loves you, Michael. And am I wrong in assuming you love her as well?” Her voice softened.

He shook his head. “No, you’re not wrong. In fact, I had intended to speak with your husband, then propose to Heidi the morning she told me she was leaving for Oklahoma City.”

All the memories and pain rushed back. Heidi insisting she would marry Clarence. His gut tightened as anger shot through him.

She reached across the table and covered his hand. “Heidi is a mess. And a miserable bride. She’s not aware I hear her crying into her pillow every night. I’ve asked her over and over what is wrong, but she refused to tell me. And she’s lost weight she couldn’t afford to lose.”

“I know how she looks.” At Mrs. Lester’s raised eyebrows, he continued. “Ellie caught me yesterday morning to badger me after her visit to your home.” He chuckled. “My bratty baby sister told me the only one who looked worse than me was Heidi.”

“I had hoped Heidi would confide in Ellie. But when your sister announced she meant to return home that same night and Heidi’s demeanor hadn’t improved, I knew nothing had changed.”

“Obviously somehow you uncovered this information. How did you manage that? Did Heidi finally tell you?”

“Yes. But only after I found this paper in one of her drawers.” She raised her chin. “Yes, I snooped. I grew tired of watching my daughter in pain.”

Michael got to his feet and ran his fingers through his hair. “Why didn’t she come to me with it when Clarence first threatened her?”

“Heidi didn’t want to destroy your uncle and his family.”

His eyes widened. “What?”

“She believed if this information got out to the newspapers, the Senator’s reputation would be ruined, his career over, and you and the rest of the family would grow to hate her.”

“I don’t believe it. Foolish girl.” Despite everything, he almost laughed. Heidi trying to protect him and his family. He thought back to his first encounter with her. How she’d gripped the ‘Help Wanted’ sign in her hands.

His nervous little Heidi had grown into a woman who not only learned to take care of herself, but was willing to sacrifice the rest of her life for him. If he weren’t so angry with her, he’d almost understand her rationale.

Mrs. Lester brought him out of his musings. “All right, now you know. What do you plan to do?”

Excitement shot through him. Heidi loved him, and he could claim her for his own after all. The dreams he’d beaten to death in the past month resurrected themselves. A plan. He needed a plan. “Right now I’m leaving John in charge of the store—God help me—and I’m going to Uncle Jesse’s house.”

“Michael, she gets married tomorrow.” Mrs. Lester chewed on her lip.

“Don’t worry, once I talk to my family, I’ll be on the next train to Oklahoma City. What time did you say the wedding was?”

She gathered her things and stuffed them into her purse. “Eleven o’clock at the First Methodist Church on Rockwell.”

He reached out and covered her hand. “I’ll need that piece of paper. And don’t worry, I’ll be there in plenty of time. Nothing will stop me.”

“I’m so glad. My heart broke every time I looked at Heidi, seeing her so miserable. Should I tell her tonight that she can forget about the wedding tomorrow?”

He shook his head. “No. I want to tell her. Your tenacious daughter will not believe Uncle Jesse doesn’t care about scandal unless she hears the words from my mouth.” He winked at her. “I’ve noticed her stubborn little chin.”

Mrs. Lester hugged him. “I’ve missed you so much.”

He rested his hand on her lower back and moved her toward the doorway. “Can I drive you to the train station?”

“That would be wonderful. I told Mr. Lester I would be gone all afternoon. Heidi’s busy today with the final fitting on her wedding gown and I don’t want to be so late she wonders where I’ve been.”

After giving directives to his employee, along with the key to lock up, he joined Mrs. Lester at the front door.

She tucked her arm in his as they headed toward the buggy parked at the livery. “You’re a good man, Michael Henderson. And very good for my daughter. I’m counting on you to save her from herself.”

Chapter 27

“Where’s Mother?” Heidi entered the dining room to find three places set, but only Papa at the table.

“Making final wedding arrangements.” He came to his feet and pulled Heidi’s chair back.

“Still?” Her eyebrows rose as she settled in her seat and unfolded the snowy white napkin.

“Not to worry. Your mother told me earlier she may not be back in time for supper.” He patted Heidi’s hand. “The mother of the bride has a lot of responsibilities.”

A young maid entered carrying a platter of roast beef she placed on the table. While Heidi and her papa helped themselves to the meat, the maid returned with a tray containing a bowl of mashed potatoes, a pitcher of thick, dark gravy, and a bowl of carrots, dripping with butter. After studying the table, the young girl left, closing the door behind her.

“Is that little bit all you’re eating?” Papa frowned as he eyed Heidi’s plate with one tiny piece of beef and a few carrots.

“I’m not hungry.”

He sat back, his fork and knife fisted in his hands. “I’ll be very glad when this wedding is over and you regain your appetite. You’ve lost too much weight, Heidi.” He nodded in the direction of the little white pitcher. “Here, add some gravy.”

The smell of the gravy turned her stomach. Her morning sickness had relocated to the evening. Rather, the evening time now added to her morning sickness. “No, thank you.” She placed her hand over her plate to block the gravy.

This time tomorrow, she would be married to Clarence. He’d told her on his last visit they would take the train to Dallas right after the wedding breakfast. She’d packed all the new gowns the dressmaker had sent yesterday. Although she’d never been to Texas before, she felt no excitement for the planned trip.

She didn’t care about the new gowns, petticoats, frilly nightgowns, and undergarments the dressmaker had gushed over when she’d delivered them. Nor the beautiful sapphire necklace Papa had given her this morning. She felt dead inside. Numb and cold where her heart should be.

Her hand moved to her belly. It would be some time before her condition became obvious. Knowing a baby had resulted from her time with Michael soothed the ache in her heart.

Clarence had smiled cheerfully when he’d related his plans to have her installed in her own room at the Dallas hotel while he and Gloria shared another. Since no one knew of her humiliation except the three of them, relief flooded her at not having to spend any more time with him than absolutely necessary.

Once they returned from the honeymoon travesty, she would insist on a house of her own, out in the country, away from the noise and prying eyes of the city. A cold sweat covered her when she imagined the conversation with Clarence about her condition. She firmly pushed the thought from her mind. Nothing would stop her from enjoying her pending motherhood.

She would nurture the baby growing inside her, eating all sorts of good, healthy food, growing very fat. Her days would be filled with knitting little blankets and hats for her baby, and when the time came, she would hold in her arms the child she and Michael had created with their love. Tears pooled in her eyes.
Oh, if only he could share all this with me.

“Is everything all right?” Papa watched her with concern.

“Yes. Fine.” She attempted a smile. “Perhaps a little melancholy about leaving my home tomorrow.”

“You won’t be far away.”

She winced at the reference to the large, fancy house Clarence had chosen for them only a few blocks from her parents. A house she had no intention of ever living in. He could have all the fancy houses he wanted. All she wanted was a cozy little place for her and the baby.

When the warmer weather arrived, she would plant flowers, and maybe even a vegetable garden. She would invite Mother for tea and they would sit in the warmth of the sun in her garden, anticipating the birth of her child. Of Michael’s child.

“I’m home.” Mother’s voiced drifted in from the front hall, dragging Heidi from her musings.

The dining room door opened and her mother peeked in, then swung the door wide as she entered. “You’re still at supper. Good, I’m starved.” She dropped a quick kiss on Papa’s head and settled in the chair to his left. Flicking her napkin, she laid the cloth on her lap and reached for the platter of meat.

“Did you have a productive afternoon, my dear?”

“Oh, most productive. I can’t tell you how happy I am with all I accomplished.” She cut a piece of the beef and brought the morsel to her mouth. “Mmm. This is so good.”

“What did you have to finish up, Mother? I thought everything had been settled?”

She waved her hand and forked mashed potatoes into her mouth with her other hand, then swallowed. “Just a few last-minute details. Nothing to trouble yourself about.” She glanced at Heidi’s plate. “You need to eat, dear.”

Heidi played with the food in front of her. “Maybe later. I’m feeling a bit queasy right now.”

“You’re not getting ill, are you?” Papa asked.

She shot a quick glance at her mother, who smiled. “No, Papa, probably only bridal nerves.”

“Well, I hope so. You’ve been moping around here entirely too much lately. No way for a bride to act, I must say.” He shoved his chair back. “Please excuse me, my dear,” he addressed Mother, “but I still have a few ledgers to work on.”

“Certainly. I’ll finish my meal.” She shifted in her seat to address Heidi. “I think I’ll treat myself to a long, leisurely bath and retire early.” She winked. “Tomorrow will be a most eventful day.”

“Yes.” Heidi glanced sideways as she dragged the word out. Her mother’s mood had greatly improved since this morning.

Well, you told her you wouldn’t change your mind, so why would she continue to fret? Let her enjoy her role as the bride’s mother.

“A bath sounds good. I think I’ll do the same. Enjoy the final one in my home.” Her voice caught on the last words.

Mother reached over and patted her hand. “It will be all right.”

Heidi shook her head, ran her palms up and down her arms, then headed to the door.

“Trust me, my dear daughter,” Mother whispered as she stabbed carrots on her plate and forked them into her mouth. “Mmm, this is good.”

Michael stopped his buggy under the covered drive on the side of Tori and Jesse’s house. He patted his jacket pocket to assure himself the letter remained tucked securely in there, then bounded up the stairs.

“Anybody home?” he called from the door as he stepped into the entrance hall.

“Michael!” Priscilla came flying down the staircase, pigtails bouncing against her shoulders. She threw herself into his arms.

He swung her around. “Hey, minx. I swear you grow an inch every time I see you.”

Her legs wrapped around his waist and, fingers linked behind his neck, she leaned back and regarded him. “Why are you here? Who’s taking care of the store?”

He tapped her on her nose. “My new employee, John.”

Priscilla’s smile faded. “I’m sorry about Heidi.”

Michael set her on her feet. “Not to worry, Pris.” He glanced around. “Is your papa home?”

“Yes, he’s in the library. But Mama’s with him. I think they’re planning something wonderful.”

He caressed her cheek. “You always think they’re planning something wonderful.”

Priscilla skipped along and chattered all the way down the hallway until they reached the library door.

Michael knocked once and entered at Tori’s “Come in.”

“Well, hello there.” Tori rose from where she leaned over Jesse’s shoulder as they studied papers on his desk.

“Priscilla, is your homework finished?” Jesse asked, leaning back in his chair.

“Almost.”

“Back to it, young lady.”

Priscilla wrinkled her nose. “Someone should pass a law against child labor.”

“Go,” Tori added.

“I must say you look a lot better than the last few times I saw you,” Jesse remarked as Priscilla closed the door.

“You could say things are looking up.” Michael settled into the worn leather chair Tori had been trying to replace for years. His aunt sat next to him in its mate, adjusting her skirts.

“I had a visit from Heidi’s mother today.”

Jesse’s eyebrows rose. “From Oklahoma City?”

Michael nodded and removed the paper from his pocket. “She came all the way on the train to show me this.” He reached across the desk and held the note out to Jesse.

His uncle opened it, then gestured to Tori, who circled the desk to join him, resting her bottom on the arm of his chair. He held the paper in one hand and curved his other arm around Tori’s waist. They bent over and read, the ticking of the tall cherry wood grandfather clock the only sound in the room.

They both looked up at the same time with identical frowns. “What is this all about?” Jesse tapped the paper with his fingernail.

Michael stood and rested his hands on his hips. “It seems Heidi’s fiancé intends to blackmail her into marrying him.”

Tori’s jaw dropped. “I don’t believe it.”

“I’m afraid it’s true.” He glanced at Jesse. “Apparently Clarence has a mistress, Gloria something or other, who used to work in the same brothel as your mother.”

Jesse grinned. “How old is this mistress?”

Michael shrugged. “Thirties. The timing works if Gloria was a girl when she knew Rosie.”

“And?”

He returned to his seat, his white-knuckled fists gripping the arms of the chair. “And, the bastard—sorry, Tori—wrote this and told Heidi if she didn’t marry him, he would send the information to
The Oklahoman
and
The Guthrie Sentinel
.”

Jesse rested his bent elbow on the arm of his chair and tapped his mouth with his index finger. “What did he hope to accomplish?”

“He convinced Heidi if your constituents knew your background, you would be disgraced, and in turn, the whole family dishonored.”

Tori snorted. “What nonsense.”

Michael grinned. “Not to a young woman who’s been sheltered her whole life.” He shifted in his seat. “He managed to terrify her enough she agreed to marry the bastard—sorry, Tori—even though he intends to keep his mistress and has no liking for Heidi whatsoever. And told her so.” The last words came out in a growl.