“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.”