Heidi nodded. “I agree. But what about the women who decide against marriage, and children? Shouldn’t they be permitted to live a full life without those things?”
Michael threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, no. One evening with Ellie, and she has you hooked.”
Laughing together, they stood, and plucked their checks from under their plates, then headed to the cashier.
They arrived back at the store close to twelve-thirty. A quick look around assured Heidi the woman from before lunch didn’t wait for them. Why Heidi she was so disconcerted by the stranger remained a mystery. Well, not a complete mystery. As much as she denied it, she did harbor growing feelings for her boss, and the very sophisticated woman made Heidi feel like a child.
The first couple of hours sped by. Michael mixed bottle after bottle of cough syrup, and even asked Heidi to mix a few when there were no customers. At first the responsibility unnerved her, but after a while, she became more confident. He checked everything she did, and thanked her while he helped David load the bottles into the basket on his bicycle for delivery.
Heidi stood behind the soda fountain and mixed up a drink for a red-haired pimply youth who gazed at her with a lovesick expression. Matthew came in every day, ordered a soda, and sat for an hour, watching her and sipping on it. She finally had to stop being so friendly because the poor boy was going broke.
The doorbell jangled and the woman from earlier in the day entered. Much to Heidi’s surprise, she passed by where Michael stood behind the counter and took a stool at the soda fountain. “Hello. I’m back again.” She shifted on the seat, and placed a small purse on the marble counter. “Can you mix me up one of those?” Her head nodded in the direction of Matthew’s drink.
“Sure. What flavor do you want?”
The woman considered for a minute, looking at the list of flavors on the black and white sign over the mirror behind Heidi. “I’d like a chocolate soda.”
Heidi pumped the chocolate in a thick glass, added soda water, and stirred quickly with a long spoon. “Here you are.”
The woman moved a thin paper straw around the liquid, and took a small sip. “I recently moved here from Oklahoma City. Do you know anyone who’s looking for a boarder?”
Heidi’s gasped. “What a coincidence. I moved here from Oklahoma City myself a few weeks ago.”
“Really?” She continued to stir, and smiled. “What made you move?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I wanted something different.” She shrugged her shoulders. “You know, see different places. That sort of thing.”
The woman offered her hand. “I’m Gloria Taggert.”
Heidi took the woman’s hand. Soft, with a whiff of perfume rolling off her body. “Heidi Lester.”
Gloria leaned her forearms on the counter, and pushed the soda aside. “So do you know of anyone looking for a boarder?”
“No, I’m sorry. I don’t live in a boarding house, I rent a room in a private house.”
Gloria cocked her head. “Really? Where?”
Heidi stepped back a bit. “Um, not too far from here.”
“I’m sorry.” Gloria patted Heidi’s hand. “I’m not being nosy, honest. I’m trying to settle in so I can find a job.”
“That’s all right. Excuse me.” Heidi scooted around the soda fountain, and headed toward a middle aged man, holding a handkerchief to his runny nose. She glanced over her shoulder to see Gloria spin on her stool and study her.
Chapter Thirteen
Michael locked the drugstore, and gripped Heidi’s elbow to keep her from slipping on the icy red mud. Earlier predictions had been for rain, but a sudden drop in temperature had changed soft rain to an icy drizzle.
“Heidi.” They both turned at the sound of Mrs. Lester calling from the buggy parked a few feet away. Freezing rain had coated the entire area, turning their world into a treacherous, glacial landscape. Tucking her arm snug against his, Michael helped Heidi over to where her parents waited.
Heidi pulled the scarf away from her mouth. “Mother, what are you doing out on such a terrible night?”
“We had to drive Mrs. Manfred to the train station, so we thought we’d come by and have supper with you.” Mrs. Lester gestured to her. “Climb in, Heidi, you’re getting wet.”
“Good evening Mrs. Lester, Mr. Lester.” Michael assisted Heidi into the buggy, and then tipped his hat as he moved to leave.
“No. Wait.” Heidi turned toward her parents. “I would like to invite Michael to join us.”
After a moment of silence, Mr. Lester leaned across his wife. “Yes, of course. Please join us, Mr. Henderson.”