Heidi ran her hand lovingly over the white rocking chair on the porch as she approached the door. Before she could change her mind, she banged the knocker. Within a minute, her mother opened the door, drying her hands on a small blue towel.
“Heidi! Oh my dear. I’m so glad you’re here. Papa’s been beside himself since Mrs. Wilson told him you had gone to work, but weren’t at the store when he looked there for you.”
“Papa went to the store?”
“Yes. Michael said you’d quit, and
left right after he’d opened.” Her mother clutched Heidi’s forearms, and looked in her eyes. “Where have you been?”
Heidi shrugged, and stepped into the house. Papa came from the direction of the kitchen, concern written on his face. “Are you all right, sweetheart?”
“Yes. I’m fine.” She attempted a bright smile, and turned to her mother. “Did Papa tell you the good news?”
Mother slid her arm around her shoulders, and walked her to the kitchen. “He told me you’ve decided to leave Guthrie, and marry Clarence.”
“Yes. That’s right.” Her lip trembled, and she swallowed.
“Can we have some tea?” Her mother said.
Stay here and have tea in Michael’s house? In the house she dreamt of living in? Where she hoped to experience Michael loving her again and again? The thought of trying to swallow even just liquid caused her stomach to lurch.
“No. I would prefer to pick up my things from Mrs. Wilson’s and take the train as soon as possible.”
Her parents looked at each other, her mother’s mouth in a tight line, Papa’s brows furrowed.
“Heidi, I think we should discuss your decision.” Her mother took her hand, a gentle smile on her lips.
“No.” Heidi pulled her hand away. “My mind is made up, and I want to leave now.”
Mother sighed, and pushed the hair back from her forehead. “All right, dear. I’m all packed. Your papa can place my things in the buggy and we’ll get your belongings from Mrs. Wilson’s before we head to the train station.”
Heidi nodded once, and then turned on her heel and left the house. She climbed into the buggy she’d hadn’t noticed parked in front of the house when she’d arrived, and leaned her head back, wiping the tears trickling from her already swollen eyes.
****
Clarence ran his fingers through his hair, and paced in front of Gloria. A pile of suitcases sat alongside one long bench in the train station. A line of passengers snaked its way around the building, as trains pulled in and out on a fifteen minute schedule.
Gloria grabbed his hand as he strode by. “Darling, do calm yourself. She said she would be here. Believe me, I’ve seen the way she looks at Michael. She would do nothing to harm him or his family.”
“I will be calm when I see the bitch climb on the train to Oklahoma City.” His head jerked as another carriage entered the unloading area of the station. He squinted against the sun, and inhaled deeply. “Here they are now. I will see you tonight at your house.” He strode away from Gloria, and pushed open the wooden and glass doors. He snarled at the man who attempted to enter at the same time.
“Mr. Lester, Mrs. Lester, good afternoon.” He smiled and took Mrs. Lester’s hand after he approached the buggy. “I trust you’re having a good day?”
Mrs. Lester yanked her hand back, and issued him a tight smile. “Yes. Just fine, Clarence.”
He turned to Heidi. “My dear, I’m so thrilled to see you.” She ignored his outstretched hand, and alighted by herself, shaking out her skirts.
Clarence leaned toward her, and kissed her on the cheek. Heidi backed away. If the little bitch didn’t keep up appearances her parents would begin to notice. He glared at her, and moved his lips close to her ear. “Senator Cochran.”
Heidi’s eyes grew wide, and she chewed her lip, then gave him a slight smile. He took her arm in his and muttered from the side of his mouth. “Much better.”
The two couples boarded the train after Mr. Lester supervised the loading of their luggage. He and Mr. Lester settled in a double seat, facing Mrs. Lester and Heidi. His fiancée immediately laid her head back, and closed her eyes. Mrs. Lester studied him, as if to read something from his face.
He smiled at her, and looked out the window as the train started with jerks until a smooth rhythm developed, the clacking of the wheels soothing his nerves. He’d done it. After a month of chasing the girl, and dancing to her tune, he had her where he wanted her. Under his thumb. And where she would stay for the rest of their life together.
As the train whipped by trees with early spring buds, farmers plowing their fields, and women hanging wash, Clarence entertained himself with visions of the life Lester’s money would buy him.
He would ensure Heidi planned a wedding within the month. It made no difference to him what she and her mother wanted to do, as long as the wedding happened fast. No time for Heidi to grow a backbone and change her mind. No time for Michael the Savior to swoop down and claim Clarence’s bride. He had no idea what Heidi told the shopkeeper, but didn’t really care, either.