A Prescription For Love: An Oklahoma Lovers book Read online

Mrs. Davison nodded, and headed to the kitchen.

  Mr. Lester cleared his throat, and turned to 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, and drape it around the back of her chair.

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

  “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 like 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 Lesters, Michael, and Heidi remained the only patrons in the dining room. Mr. Lester pushed his empty plate away, and patted his middle. “Delicious.” He turned to 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. 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 said.

  “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 dinner 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 chewed her lip, and studied her lap.

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

  “Oh?” Raised 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 now stared at her lap, and Mr. Lester sat wide-eyed.

  “Well. I’m certainly happy to hear you say so,” her papa 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 turned to 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 dinner 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 pulled her scarf around her mo
uth after kissing and hugging her parents. Michael took her arm in his, and they lowered their heads as small ice pellets struck them in the face. Coat collars pulled up 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. Tucked 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, scrunching 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 barber shop. 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 pulled her against him, tucking 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 being subjected to Heidi’s scent, her softness and warmth, played havoc with his blood flow. Despite the ice blowing in his face, he still needed to shift in his seat to accommodate her effect on his body.

  They stopped in front of Mrs. Wilson’s house, and Michael turned to 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 with his hands, and rubbed his thumbs over the smooth skin of her cheeks. With his heart thudding in his chest, he slanted her head to take 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. Pull her close when he finished, nuzzle her slender neck, run his hungry fingers over her luscious curves.

  He broke free from her heat, both of them panting. He ran his knuckles down her flushed cheek, and his heart thudded. Not a woman to trifle with, someone like Heidi deserved to be brought home to a man’s family, then stand next to him in front of a preacher. Over the years, they’d build a life together, have children who would suckle at her breast. Hold hands as they drew their last breaths. Forever. Something he wasn’t ready for. Had vowed he would never be ready for.

  Terror struck him deep in his heart as he met her gaze. Her slight smile and shining eyes told him what he didn’t want to know. Heidi Lester was a woman in love−and not with her fiancé.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Heidi double-checked the list of ingredients for dried apple pie on the faded piece of paper lying on the table in front of her. Mrs. Wilson had given her the recipe, but one she wasn’t familiar with. The last thing she wanted to do was leave something out of an important pie. She grinned. An important pie, indeed.

  Although she and Michael attended different churches, Heidi had invited him to her church’s social that evening. Each woman would bring a box supper, and the men would bid on the one brought by the lady of his choice. After the supper, there would be a dance.

  Heidi had decided on thick slices of ham, biscuits, potato salad, lemonade and the apple pie. Once she’d placed the pie in the oven, she would relax in a warm bath and press her long-sleeved blue and white gingham dress with the wide white sash. Her heart leapt with excitement at the thought of sharing her supper with Michael, and then dancing in his arms.

  Many a night, a young Heidi sat at the top of the staircase, and watched Mother and Papa’s guests dance in the large connecting parlor and dining room when they’d hosted parties. The furniture would be shoved against the walls, the rug rolled up, and Mother would bring out her best china, and silver. With Papa’s encouragement, she’d hire women to clean and polish everything in the house.

  Then with extra kitchen help, Cook would pull out her best recipes and prepare the party food. Heidi’s parents permitted their daughter to say hello to the guests, and then she was whisked away upstairs to eat her meal in her bedroom, alone. Her parents feared too much contact with the guests would jeopardize her health.

  Once the last bite of dinner had been eaten, the musicians hired for the night would begin to play their magical music, and Heidi would slip from her room. Wide-eyed, she’d crouch at the head of the stairs, hands wrapped around the banister rails. She’d watch the women attired in brightly colored dresses spin around the dance floor, in the arms of the gentlemen. One day, she told herself, she would wear a beautiful silk gown and dance. Her partner would twirl her around the floor and gaze at her like she was the only woman in the world.

  But Mother continued to forbid her to attend the parties, even after she was grown. Not good for her breathing illness, she’d remind her. Too many people in one room, and dancing would be out of the question, anyway. Luckily she’d practiced dancing when Mother and Papa weren’t home. Humming to herself, she’d sway, and dip to the music in her head, curtsying to her invisible partner. A man whose features at the time were unknown, but now resembled Michael.

  Working quickly, she mixed the pie ingredients together, poured the pungent fruit and spices into the shell, and slid the pan into the oven. As she hurried up the stairs to her room, the front door knocker sounded. Mrs. Wilson had left for an afternoon of shopping, so Heidi headed back down the steps and opened the door.

  Her eyes grew wide, and her breathing hitched. “Clarence. What are you doing here?”

  He scowled. “I finally managed to pry your address out of your mother. I still don’t understand why everyone kept it a secret. I have the right to know where my fiancée lives, for heaven’s sake.” He stepped forward, his lips in a thin line. “May I come in?”

  “Yes. Of course.” She moved back and allowed him to enter.

  He brushed past her. “You seemed surprised to see me.”

  “I am, actually. Usually you arrive on Friday nights. I thought you’d decided not to come this weekend.” Remembering her manners, she waved to the parlor. “Would you like to sit down?”

  He
followed her into the room, settling stiffly on the sofa. “Why would I not come? After all, I wouldn’t want to miss seeing my fiancée.”

  Heidi’s head jerked at the disdain in his voice, as she rested on the edge of the chair across from him. Her heart thudded and her stomach clenched. She hadn’t been prepared to face Clarence yet with her decision, but since he sat before her, now seemed like the right time to speak.

  She cleared her throat, and raised her chin. “Clarence, I’m glad you stopped by. I’ve given this some thought, and. . .decided to break off our engagement.” There, she’d said it. A sense of relief flooded her, but her smile faltered as Clarence leaned back in the chair and grinned at her.

  “I don’t think so, my dear.” He brushed a bit of lint from his coat.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I didn’t arrange our marriage with you. Your parents and I decided everything. They know what’s best for you, my dear.”

  Heat rose to her face at his arrogant words. “I don’t care who you made arrangements with, Clarence. I have decided to not marry you.”

  He studied her for a moment, his eyes narrowed. “You are merely going through a phase, Heidi.” His calm demeanor slipped as he stood and paced in front of the glowing fireplace. “For some benighted reason, you think being on your own here is what you want. You’re not smart enough to know what you want, and you certainly don’t know what’s best for you. Furthermore, you think Michael is your savior.” He stood in front of her, leaning over, his hands fisted on the arms of her chair. “I told you what kind of a man he is.”

  She’d never seen Clarence so angry, and his attitude frightened her. His eyes burned with fury, and his lip curled with scorn. Suddenly, she wished Mrs. Wilson were home. Her fiancé did not behave as a man with a bruised heart refusing to accept a betrothed’s rejection. Clarence was enraged. For someone who intended to marry her in name only, his reaction made no sense. He leaned closer, causing her to press deeper into the chair.

  “He paid a whore to leave town,” he shouted. Moisture from his mouth sprayed across her face.

  “I’m back,” Mrs. Wilson called from the front door.