A Prescription For Love: An Oklahoma Lovers book Page 8

  Heidi glanced back at Michael, her brows furrowed.

  “Tori, let’s introduce Heidi to one person at a time. You haven’t even mentioned Rachel and Zander yet, and she already looks confused.”

  “You’re right, I’m sorry.” She turned to Priscilla. “Honey, can you hang Michael’s and Heidi’s coats in the hall closet?”

  “Never mind, I’ll do it.” Ellie slid her arm into Heidi’s, and walked her forward. “I want to have a few words with our guest, anyway.”

  Michael groaned and followed them down the hallway.

  ****

  When Michael said she looked confused, it was truly an understatement. Tori, who seemed to be a wonderful and loving woman, resembled a tornado. Another strong, confident woman in Michael’s family. Heidi may as well squelch any attraction to her knight in shining armor. Never would he look seriously upon a woman like her.

  She sighed, and realized Ellie had stopped speaking and eyed her as if she waited for an answer to a question.

  “Ellie, you’ve been rattling on and on for so long, it’s a wonder Heidi’s ears haven’t started bleeding. Allow the girl a chance to settle in before you overwhelm her.” Michael admonished.

  Ellie turned to Heidi. “How do you ever stand this pompous brother of mine all day?” She gave Michael a gentle push. “Go find Uncle Jesse. He’s out in the back with Paul. Doing men stuff.”

  Michael looked at Heidi with concern in his eyes. “Will you be all right?”

  Her heart skipped a beat at his protectiveness. He overwhelmed her with his kindness, yet stood so far out of her reach.

  Before she could respond, Ellie spoke up. “For heaven’s sake, Michael, I won’t eat the girl.” She shoved him by the shoulder. “Go. Find something to do.”

  Ellie dragged her into the parlor where they both sat on the beautiful red damask sofa in front of a roaring fire. Two arched doorways flanking either side of the fireplace led to a dining room Heidi could only see part of. A large gold framed mirror graced the wall to their left, reflecting cherry wood tables scattered around the room. The polished surface of the tables held milk glass lamps, casting off warm light. She smiled at a curio cabinet bulging with children’s drawings and homemade artwork. The entire room enveloped her in a sense of peace and belonging.

  “Since my pesky brother is gone, tell me all about yourself.” Ellie had turned toward her.

  “There really isn’t much to tell.”

  Ellie drew back and raised her eyebrows. “Is that so? All right, then I’ll ask questions. How long have you lived in Guthrie?”

  “Not long. Just a few days before Michael hired me in the store.” Ellie didn’t seem satisfied with such a simple answer, so Heidi told her the story of her arrival in Guthrie. As she spoke, her muscles relaxed, and she actually enjoyed sharing her hopes and disappointments with Michael’s sister. Ellie murmured comforting words at the right time, patted her hand occasionally, and generally offered sympathy without pity, which helped.

  Heidi waved her hand in front of her face. “My goodness, I never talked so much in my life.” Did her emotions, or the heat from the fire, compel her body flush? At the same time she felt almost giddy. She’d never had a friend to gossip with, as most girls her age did. Her isolated childhood prevented any type of confiding in others.

  Ellie took her hand. “Heidi, based on what you’ve told me, you are one strong woman.”

  Heidi’s eyes grew wide. “Strong?” She shook her head furiously. “No. You’re wrong. I’m such a coward.”

  “You think so?” Ellie smiled. “You left the home you were practically a prisoner in. You rented a room, got a job, and defied your parents.”

  Heidi continued to stare at her. This wonderful, confident, capable woman thought her strong? Mirth bubbled up inside her and rose to her throat. She covered her mouth and laughed.

  “I’m serious,” Ellie said.

  “All right, Ellie, I’m taking Heidi back now before you corrupt her.” Michael entered the room with an older man and three boys tagging along, all of them red-faced from the outdoors.

  “Uncle Jesse, may I present Miss Heidi Lester, my new employee.”

  Senator Cochran moved forward and took Heidi’s hands, raising her from the sofa. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lester.” Then he gave her a hug much like Tori did. The Cochrans were truly an amazing family.

  He released her and turned to the boys. “These are my three rascals, Paul−the birthday boy−Henry, and Benjamin. Gentlemen,” he addressed the boys, “say hello to Miss Lester.”

  All three boys politely offered their hands and shook hers. “Can we leave now, Papa?” Paul was already half out of the room when he asked. At Jesse’s nod the three raced up the stairs, pushing and shoving, to do whatever little boys did.

  Jesse settled in the chair across from her, resting his boot covered foot on his bent knee. “Sit down, Michael, you look like a mama bear guarding her cub.” He waved to a chair, but kept his eyes on Heidi.

  ****

  Michael sat in the chair next to Jesse and studied Heidi. She positively glowed. At least Ellie hadn’t reduced her to tears. Although, in all honesty, for as forceful as Ellie was, she would never intentionally hurt someone.

  “I understand you’re from Oklahoma City?”

  Heidi turned to Jesse. “Yes. I recently moved here, and Michael was good enough to hire me to work in his store.”

  Jesse grinned. “That’s our Michael, always willing to help a damsel in distress.”

  Michael hopped up. “Anyone want a drink before dinner?”

  Maybe bringing Heidi here had been a mistake. Everyone viewed him speculatively, and panic seized him at what they assumed. But something else disturbed him more. She fit in so well. As he poured drinks, he noticed Heidi and Ellie chatted like old friends, as Jesse threw in a comment every once in a while which had the women laughing.

  He shook his head. No, she could very well pack up at the end of her month and decide working and living on her own didn’t suit her after all. A few weeks of freedom might be all she needed to settle down and live the life her parents planned.

  Please God, not with Clarence Manfred, though.

  He handed a whiskey to Jesse and two small glasses of sherry to Ellie and Heidi. Tori entered with Priscilla on her heels. “Where’s mine?”

  “Come over here, darlin’, and I’ll share my whiskey with you.” Jesse shifted and made room on the large chair for Tori.

  “No thank you. I’d rather have sherry.” She settled next to her husband, and he pulled her close.

  Michael studied them as he poured one more sherry and handed the drink to Tori. After all the years of marriage, his aunt and uncle were still very much in love. Sometimes he ached, knowing he’d never have what they shared.

  Then his mind wandered back to their rough start. At one time he thought they might even divorce. But their story was different. Neither one had suffered a broken heart, or betrayal. Tori and Jesse merely had some issues to work out.

  Memories he found sufficient to keep reminding him why the beautiful blonde, with big blue eyes, skin flushed a charming red from the fireplace, and sitting merely a few feet from him, remained off limits. He settled back in his chair, trying very hard not to stare at Heidi.

  Chapter Nine

  Heidi had never seen such an abundance of food on a dining room table in her life. Used to meals being quiet affairs, with only her, Mother and Papa, the Cochran family’s dinners were quite impressive. Heidi, Tori, Ellie, Priscilla, and Michael’s sister, Rachel, who’d arrived earlier with her son, had carried numerous bowls of vegetables, platters of meat, baskets of rolls and biscuits to the table. The children raced back and forth adding salt, pepper, butter, honey, and jam.

  Eventually eleven people took their places, and after Jesse blessed the food, and thanked the Lord for the presence and good health of his family and friends, they all dug in.

  “You’d better fill your plate, or you
’ll miss out with this crowd.” Michael leaned close to her ear as he forked slices of beef on his plate, then handed her the platter.

  Heidi took one piece of beef and passed the platter to Benjamin, seated next to her. “No you don’t.” Michael used his fork to spear another piece of meat and plopped it on Heidi’s plate. “You need to eat more, put some weight on.”

  Instead of the embarrassment she would normally have felt, she laughed and shook her head at his antics. Everybody in the family had a relaxed attitude. And she found the biggest surprise to be Senator Cochran. He had a reputation as a hard-nosed, highly ethical politician. One who would compromise, but never on his principles. His fights in the Senate were legendary. But around his family, he came across as funny and loving. His wife and children openly adored him. Rachel and Ellie respected him as much as Michael did.

  She tried, but found it difficult, to push away the pain of knowing she witnessed something she would never have. Who would want a sickly, fearful wife? Certainly not the man seated next to her. Not when he came from this family of accomplished women. Her stomach clenched to think Clarence Manfred might be the only man who would have her. Life with him would not be fulfilling, but at least she wouldn’t be alone when Mother and Papa passed on.

  “What’s wrong?” Michael’s eyes were sharp and assessing.

  “Nothing.” She smiled tentatively.

  He frowned. “You looked so sad all of a sudden.”

  She blinked rapidly to clear the threatening tears.

  Please don’t be so nice to me. You can’t be my knight in shining armor.

  “Really, I’m fine.” She indicated her plate. “Tori is a wonderful cook, but I’m not sure I can eat everything.”

  He studied her for a moment and then turned toward Paul who tapped him on the arm and asked a question about pharmacy school. Even though only twelve years old, the young man already planned his future. What an amazing family.

  “Heidi, you must come with me one night to our Women’s Rights meeting at the new library.” Ellie’s voice rose above the others.

  “Michael mentioned the meeting to me. I think I would enjoy it.”

  Rachel leaned forward. “I would be careful getting too involved with my sister, Heidi. She has some pretty crazy ideas about things.”

  Ellie swatted her on the arm. “Stop it, Rach, you’ll scare her.”

  “Who’s scaring you?” Michael pushed back his plate and placed his forearms on the table.

  “Nobody. I’m going to one of Ellie’s Women’s Rights meetings and Rachel warned me about Ellie’s crazy ideas.” Did he really think her so breakable he had to defend her at the dinner table against a group of loving people?

  He smiled the stomach clenching smile that had the corners of his eyes crinkling. Her fingers itched to push back the hair falling over his forehead.

  Tori picked that moment to carry in a birthday cake with brightly lit candles. She placed the cake in front of her son, and rested her hands on his shoulders. Each person at the table expressed their good wishes for Paul in the coming year.

  “I wish for you to be as happy as you are right now, with your family,” Heidi added when her turn came, thankful her voice didn’t crack with emotion raging through her.

  Again the family impressed Heidi when the last piece of cake had been consumed, and Jesse hopped up to help with the clean-up from dinner. Michael worked as well, and Jesse handed dish towels to his four children and instructed them to assist. In a very short period of time, everyone had returned to the parlor where Paul opened a pile of birthday gifts.

  Relaxed and happy from the meal and the company, Heidi sat on the sofa, mesmerized by the flames from the fireplace. Jesse and Michael had retired to Jesse’s office earlier. Tori and Priscilla had their heads together, looking through a women’s dress catalog. Rachel and Ellie debated some political point Heidi had lost track of a while ago.

  “It’s getting late, we should probably go.” The sofa dipped as Michael joined her.

  Heidi stretched like a contented cat. “What time is it?” The day had been so pleasant, time meant nothing.

  “Nine o’clock.”

  “Oh my goodness. I had no idea.” She dreaded leaving the warmth and comfort of this home, this family. For a while she’d forgotten her troubles. Her illness, her parents hovering over her, Clarence waiting for her to fail so she would return to her cold life, and enter into an even colder marriage.

  Michael stood and headed toward the coat closet. “Ellie, I’ll drive you home. We can drop you off on our way to Heidi’s house.”

  “I have my wagon, Michael, I can drop her off.” Rachel crooked her finger at her son, Zander, who played on the floor with Benjamin and a collection of soldiers.

  “Thanks, anyway, Rach, I’ll ride with Michael.”

  Laughter, and the sounds of departures, echoed in her ears as they all descended the steps.

  “Come anytime for a visit, Heidi. We’d love to have you.” Tori waved at her from where she stood in the doorway secure in her husband’s strong arms. She shrugged and giggled as he nuzzled her neck.

  Tears threatened once more as Heidi climbed into the buggy. Maybe she’d have fared better not to see the love and happiness in Michael’s family. The life she faced looked bleak and empty. Either she married Clarence and had a cold marriage, or spent the rest of her life alone.

  She shook herself. No. She would have friends, and a job. Eventually, she would rent a small house and decorate her home how she saw fit. Perhaps she would investigate the Women’s Rights group Ellie had made her promise to attend, and become a member. Her health would improve, and she would be strong, capable, like the women in Michael’s family.

  Maybe then he’ll be attracted to me.

  ****

  I have to curb my attraction to her.

  Michael chastised himself as he pulled away from Ellie’s boarding house. His sister had reminded Heidi of her promise to attend a Women’s Rights meeting Tuesday night. While having a friend would be good for Heidi, why did that friend have to be his sister?

  Because you introduced them, maybe?

  Bringing Heidi to his family’s home had been a mistake. He’d noticed the glances exchanged between his sisters and Tori. He’d made it abundantly clear for years he had no intention of ever getting involved with a woman again. Truth be known, they had every right to speculate. He’d never brought a woman to his family home since he’d broken up with Alice, years ago.

  Heidi fit so well in his family circle. Everyone loved her−no surprise there−and she looked more calm and happy than he’d ever seen her. She sat next to him in the buggy, her hands relaxed in her lap. A slight smile graced her face, a picture of tranquility. He itched to stop the buggy, drag her over to him, and kiss her senseless.

  As if she knew his thoughts, she turned to him. “You have a wonderful family.”

  He grinned. “They were all on their best behavior today. We’re like any other family. We fight, we tease, but when the chips are down, we all stick together.”

  “It must be nice to have brothers and sisters. And all those cousins.” Her eyes sparkled as she continued. “And your Aunt Tori and Uncle Jesse. They are so perfect together.”

  Michael shook his head. “They weren’t always.”

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “At one time, back when they were first married, we all thought they would divorce.”

  “Really?” Although rare, divorce did occur on occasion, although considered shameful to most people. “That doesn’t seem possible. I’ve never seen two people more in love.”

  “It was a long time ago. I consider them very special people.”

  “Your whole family is very special. You have no idea how lucky you are.”

  He eased the buggy up in front of Mrs. Wilson’s house. All the tightly packed houses on this street were so different from the area they’d left behind. Small, but comfortable residences were well kept, and glowed
with soft light while families talked and rested together.

  Visions of his own house, now dark and cold with no one there to welcome him, sent a shiver down his spine. Then the image of Heidi, with an apron on, a stirring spoon in her hand, smiling as he entered the front door, jolted him. The vision seemed so right.

  Her clear blue eyes would sparkle as she leaned in for his kiss. She would drop the spoon on the table, and her delicate fingers would slide through his hair as he pulled her close. Then, after supper, they would walk arm in arm up the stairs to the bedroom. Once there, he would remove her clothes, slowly, piece by piece, relishing in her wondrous body. He would place his lips−

  “Michael?” Heidi’s voice pulled him from his musings.

  He turned, surprised to see her sitting next to him. Why wasn’t she waiting for him at home? “I’m sorry, I was woolgathering.”

  She chuckled. “I do plenty of woolgathering myself at times. I wanted to thank you again for allowing me to share your family’s birthday celebration.”

  He hopped from the buggy and lifted her down. “I’m glad you came.” He grinned. “I don’t know how happy I am to have Ellie take you under her wing, though.”

  “I really like Ellie. And your sister, Rachel, too. And your Aunt Tori, and…”

  He tapped her nose with his finger. “I get the idea.”

  She stared at his face. “Does it hurt?” Slowly her fingers came up and traced the bruise on his jaw, then the cut on his lip.

  “No.” He hardly recognized his voice.

  “Are you going to tell me how you got your injures?”

  “No.”

  “Why not?” She whispered.

  Instead of answering, he tugged down her scarf, and slowly lowered his head, until his lips were on hers. He cupped her face with his hands and took possession of her mouth. As his tongue slid along the line of her lips, she opened, and her quiet moan as he circled her mouth and tangled with her tongue almost brought him to his knees. His nostrils were filled with the scent of Heidi, her perfumed breath, her faint lavender fragrance. The softness of her body against his hard bulk raised his temperature, and stirred his manhood.