“Yes Mother. In fact, Mrs. Wilson-my landlady-allows me to cook breakfast in her kitchen, and Michael-rather Mr. Henderson-and I eat in the back room here. Today I fixed scrambled eggs and biscuits.”
Mrs. Lester dabbed at the corner of her eye with a delicate linen handkerchief, and shook her head slightly. “So much work for you. My poor little girl will wear herself out.”
Mrs. Manfred stepped forward and took Heidi’s hand. “I promised Clarence I would look out for you while he is at work each day. You must know he is worried sick over this little adventure you’re having.”
Heidi chewed her lip, then looked up in relief when old Mrs. Benson entered the store. “Excuse me Mother, Papa, Mrs. Manfred, but I must see to the customers.”
“Wait.” Mr. Lester took her by the arm. “We would like you to join us for the noon meal. We’ll be back at twelve, is that when you close?”
“Yes. Noon is fine. I’ll see you then.” Heidi hurried around the counter and approached Mrs. Benson with a large smile. “Good morning, ma’am, how may I help you?”
The Lester party left, with Mrs. Lester leaning on her husband’s arm, sniffling.
Michael tried hard not to laugh at the picture the three of them made. No wonder his clerk was afraid of her own shadow. To be smothered all her life would cripple the strongest woman. He returned to his work and continued to dwell on Heidi Lester. Hadn’t his experience with Alice taught him anything? His best interests lay in distancing himself from Heidi as much as possible.
Therein, the problem. Every day, thoughts of his clerk consumed him. He couldn’t erase her from his mind. Her scent, her smile, her giggle, the way her hips swayed when she walked across the floor. The blonde curls forever escaping her bun. These images danced before him even in his sleep.
He had no idea what had possessed him to offer an introduction to Ellie. His sister could be downright scary at times. The baby of the family, it seemed she wanted to prove she had truly grown up. He hoped she would go easy on Heidi. Ellie held the opinion women did not need men in any capacity, and planned her life to exclude them.
What a family he’d come from. Although he and his siblings all had the wonderful example of Tori and Jesse’s marriage, he remained a confirmed bachelor. Ellie had no use for men, and his brother Hunter spent his time away from home, tracking down criminals. The only happily married one, his sister Rachel, had lost her husband to pneumonia several years ago, and had placed her heart firmly on the shelf as she raised her son.
The next time he checked his watch, noon had arrived. On the dot of twelve, the three musketeers, as he’d begun to think of them, returned to the store. Flushed, most likely with nerves, Heidi retrieved her coat from the back room, and looking as though she marched to the gallows, left with them. She gave Michael a slight wave as she walked out the door.
He grabbed his coat and after locking the store, headed toward the coffee shop. Unfortunately, Heidi and her family were seated at a table near the front window when he arrived. He nodded briefly in their direction, and took a seat at th
e counter.
As he passed their table, Heidi’s father leaned forward, speaking earnestly with her as he patted his wife’s hand. Michael’s stomach tightened even though they directed none of their angst at him.
“What can I get ya?” Honey, the waitress who’d been at the coffee shop for years, distracted him, notebook pad and pencil in hand.
He smiled at the older woman. No matter the day, she always had a smile for everyone. “What’s good?”
“Everything.” She grinned. “Do you realize, Mr. Henderson, you ask that question every day, and every day I give you the same answer?”
“I like the sound of your voice.” He winked. “All right, since I must decide, I’ll have the chicken and noodles. And tea.”
“Good choice.” She continued to write as she proceeded down the counter. She returned shortly and deposited a glass of tea in front of him and continued on to the kitchen.
The sound of silverware clinking and the buzz of conversation around him blocked out whatever conversation Heidi and her family had. He took a sip of the tea, the cool liquid easing his dry throat.
He struck up a conversation with Ed Barker, the hardware store owner, who bemoaned the unreliability of his suppliers. Halfway through his bowl of chicken and noodles, a commotion occurred behind them.
“Someone help, my daughter needs help.” Mrs. Lester’s voice rose above the murmurs of the crowd.
Michael turned and immediately left his seat.
Heidi leaned over the table, holding her middle, and gasping for breath. Her face had lost all color, and tears tracked down her cheeks. Mrs. Lester fluttered her hands, looking around. Mr. Lester demanded in a loud voice that someone send for a doctor, while Mrs. Manfred fanned Heidi with her handkerchief.
Michael elbowed his way into the group, and lifted Heidi in his arms. She grasped the lapels of his jacket, and looked frantically at him. Michael spoke soothingly. “Heidi, relax. Calm down. Take slow, even breaths.”
“Where are you taking my daughter?” Mrs. Lester gasped.
“To the kitchen. She needs help.”
“She needs the help of a doctor, not a storekeeper,” Mr. Lester huffed as he followed behind. Ignoring all the comments, and the stares of the other diners, Michael strode to the kitchen, Heidi clutched in his arms, struggling to breathe. The Lesters and Mrs. Manfred followed, shouting orders and making demands.
“Get me a bowl of boiling water and the largest cloth you have.” Michael called over his shoulder to Honey as he set Heidi on a chair and instructed her to raise her hands above her head. He went down on one knee alongside her, leaned close, and spoke quietly into her ear again. He rubbed circles on her back as Mr. Lester continued to bellow.