“What we need is a plan,” Clarence said. “When she arrives, I’ll escort her to dinner and show her how foolish this whole thing is. Her health is more important to me than anything else in the world.”
With his declaration ringing in their ears, he stood and adjusted his jacket. “I’m not waiting for her to come to us. I’ll go to the store now and insist, as my betrothed, she come to dinner with me.” He nodded in the Lesters’ direction. “Have no fear, Harold, Mary. I guarantee she will be fully packed and on the train first thing tomorrow.”
Before anyone said a word, he strode from the hotel in the direction of the drug store. With all Heidi’s nonsense, the little idiot cut into his time with the young whore he’d promised to visit tonight. After checking his watch, he determined it was early enough to see Heidi fed, convinced to leave, and back to her room to pack. The whole thing should be resolved in less than an hour. Still plenty of time for his late night activities.
The drugstore had been locked up tight, the closed sign reflected under the street light. Where the hell did Heidi and that shopkeeper go? She’d promised to meet them at the hotel after the place closed. If she was on her way there, they would have met. Damn the girl! Now he had to spend time looking for her. If her father’s businesses weren’t dangling in front of him like a delectable carrot, he’d skip the whole debacle and catch the train back home.
****
Michael held out the chair for Heidi to sit. The Harvey House, newly bu
ilt along with the new train station, had already attracted quite a supper crowd. Harvey Girls, dressed in their uniform of a dark wool dress with a long white apron, rushed to and fro between the kitchen and the tables, carrying beverages and plates of food. The aroma of beef stew and fresh baked bread caused Heidi’s stomach to growl.
Except for the unpleasantness awaiting her back at the hotel, she enjoyed her meal and the time with Michael. She chided herself in her foolish adoration of him, and how she thought of him as her knight in shining armor. But until Michael, no one had ever come between her and her parents’ dictates before, and she cherished that. Clarence had always sided with them, enforcing their restrictions, and constantly reminding her of her shortcomings.
He peered at her over the white and black menu. “What looks good to you?”
“Everything.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Good. You need to add a few pounds.”
Was he criticizing her? Or had she become too sensitive? The sparkle in his eyes told her whatever he meant, he didn’t disapprove of her. She sighed with relief. Then chastised herself for depending too much on other’s opinions. First her parents, then Clarence, and now Michael. She had to learn to be her own person.
“Good evening. My name is Miss Madeline, and I will serve you tonight. Have you decided what you want?” The young waitress, with wavy brown hair pulled back into a hairnet-covered bun, smiled as she spoke to them.
“Heidi?” Michael looked in her direction.
“I’ll have the lamb stew, please. The dish sounds wonderful. And a glass of milk.”
The girl wrote on her pad. “That’s a good choice. I had a bit of the stew myself for dinner.” She glanced in Michael’s direction. “And you, sir?”
“I’ll have the same thing. Miss Lester is right, it does sound wonderful.”
“Coming right up.” Miss Madeline left them with a smile and spoke to two gentlemen as she picked up a few dirty dishes on her way to the kitchen.
Heidi looked around at the flowered wallpaper, polished hard wood floors, and long counter with patrons enjoying their meals. “I wonder what it’s like to work here?”
“I think it’s a pretty hard job,” Michael answered. “The girls labor long hours, and are on their feet the whole time. But I understand the waitresses earn good money, and most of them end up finding husbands.”
“How do you know so much about it?” Heidi smiled at the waitress who’d returned with two glasses of cold milk.
“My sister has a couple of friends who work here. In fact, you should meet my sister, Ellie. She’s a force to be reckoned with. She attends Women’s Rights meetings.” He chuckled.
“Women’s Rights?” Heidi’s eyes grew wide. “What’s that?”
Michael threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, you should meet my sister. She would certainly set you straight about women taking care of themselves.”
“I’m taking care of myself.”
Michael laid his hand over hers. “Yes. You’re making a good start.”
Heat shot from where his warm hand rested on hers. Her heart sped up, and a knot rose in her throat. How could this man’s touch affect her like this? Her eyes searched his. A strange, faint burning in his eyes held her still, as if he felt something too. He slowly pulled his hand away as the waitress set bowls of stew in front of them. Heidi shivered with a chill the absence of his hand created.
Michael cleared his throat and dug into the fragrant stew.
Heidi chewed thoughtfully, as her heart calmed. She turned her thoughts to women’s rights. What a strange idea. She would like to meet this sister of his. A woman who knew how to take care of herself. Imagine.
“Does you sister live in Guthrie?”