“What is Belladonna?” She wanted to know.
“A plant. I’m fixing a mixture for you, and when you have an asthma attack, deposit a pinch into a bowl of boiling water, much like I did the other night, and inhale the fumes.”
“How does Belladonna work?”
Michael tapped out the yellowish-brown powder from the small marble bowl, into a clean jar. As he tightened the lid, he said, “The medicine works to stop the spasms that cause wheezing.” He handed the jar to her and leaned on the counter, his arms crossed. “Treatment with Belladonna isn’t a cure, as I told you, but it will help when you have attacks.”
Heidi nodded. “Do you think one day there will be a cure?”
“I don’t know. I hope so, though.” He tucked a curl behind her ear that had come loose from her bun.
What am I doing?
He quickly stood and slid his hands into his pockets. “One thing I think would help you, is to keep a journal.”
“A journal?”
“Write down your mood, what you eat, where you go. You may begin to see a pattern of when your asthma is at its worse. We already know night air isn’t good for you, or very cold air. I suspect stress may be a factor, also, but if you keep a journal, knowing your daily routine may help.”
His stomach clenched as his gaze met hers. The promise he’d made to himself still stood. After his debacle with Alice years ago, he’d decided to stay as far away from women who represented forever as he could get. Miss Heidi Lester definitely stood among the forever women. Best to keep their relationship on an employer, employee basis. She could easily suck him into something dangerous.
“I’ll do that.” Heidi picked up the jar and smiled.
He breathed a sigh of relief as the front door opened, diverting his attention from her smooth skin, huge blue eyes, and pouty lips. Everything about her tempted him to wrap his hand around the back of her neck, and pull her in close for a kiss.
Clarence Manfred led the parade of his mother and an older couple. Michael took no time figuring out the woman with the pale blonde hair and blue eyes, racing toward Heidi with her arms extended, was her mother.
“Heidi!” The woman bolted around the counter, grabbed the girl, and hugged her close. “You scared us to death. Are you crazy coming here? Where are your things? Papa and I will see you home as quickly as possible.” She felt her forehead, then held Heidi at arm’s length, and ran her gaze over her. Next, she pulled her in for another hug.
The older man glared at Michael with a frown. “I demand to know why you have allowed by daughter to work here. She is a sickly girl, and cannot possibly stand the strain of a job.”
Michael sighed and ran his fingers through is hair. He stuck his hand out toward the man. “I’m Michael Henderson.”
The man studied his hand for a moment, then shook it. “Harold Lester.” He didn’t look too pleased to have given his name.
“I told you she had a job.” Clarence stepped forward and attempted to disengage Heidi from her mother. She wasn’t having any of it.
“My poor little girl. We must pack up your things and return home before you have a breathing attack. What were you thinking?”
“She wasn’t thinking. That’s her problem.” Mr. Lester added, his face flushed.
Heidi glanced sideways at Michael and his jaw clenched. If ever a look said ‘please rescue me’ Heidi’s face did. Why should he
involve himself in her mess? Maybe going home with her parents would be for the best. The Lesters seemed to genuinely care about her, albeit to an extreme. Then he caught the tears in her pleading eyes, and he was finished.
“All right, I suggest everyone calm down. Miss Lester and I were about to lock up the store, so if you allow us to finish, she can join you.”
“Sir, my daughter will not continue to work another minute. You probably are not aware, but she is not of robust health. She could have an attack any moment, and it would be your fault!” Heidi’s mother had wrapped her arm around her daughter’s shoulders and did not look like she would let go.
“Mrs. Lester, Mr. Lester,” Michael nodded in their direction. “I am fully aware of Heidi’s condition. We were discussing the very same thing as you arrived. Now I ask you, please, this store is a place of business, and whether you agree or not, Heidi is my employee, and she has work to do. I assume you’re staying at the Saratoga Hotel?”
Mr. Lester nodded stiffly.
“It would be best if you all returned to the hotel, and wait. If you are truly concerned about her health, you must know stress is not good for it.”
Mrs. Lester touched her nose with a handkerchief and sniffed. She hugged Heidi once more. “We will be in the hotel lobby. I expect you to be there as soon as this,” she glared at him, “man, allows you to leave.” She turned and marched to the door, with her husband and Mrs. Manfred following.
Clarence lingered. “Heidi, you know I want nothing more than for you to be happy. Working in a shop is not good for you.”