“I’m telling you for the last time, Manfred. Go on back to your hotel room and sleep it off.”
“Why? So you can meet up with my fiancée, and fuck her?”
With a growl, Michael swung and caught Clarence in the eye. The man went down like a lump of clay, but rolled and came back up again, swinging. He hit Michael in the mouth, but crumpled when Michael punched him in his soft stomach and finished with an uppercut to his chin.
Breathing heavily, Michael picked Clarence up under his arms and dragged him to the door, where he deposited him outside, leaning against the brick wall. Straightening his clothes, he returned to the silent room and scooped up his winnings from the table. “Gentlemen, I’m finished for the night.”
He pulled a handkerchief out of his back pocket, and pressed the linen against his split lip. Glancing around the room he spotted the young whore wiping her face with her hands, still crying. He strode in her direction. “Here.” He handed her the money he’d just took from the poker table. “Buy yourself a train ticket and get the hell away from here. Find something different to do in the next town. Better yet, go somewhere no one knows you, and get yourself a husband.”
The music from the tinny piano started back up as he strode through the door. Manfred still rested against the building. Michael grinned, and then winced in pain at the movement.
The walk home in the cold air cleared his head. The anger stayed with him at the behavior of Clarence Manfred. The man showed all the signs of a bully, and any woman who married him would have one miserable life.
His jaw tightened. If he had anything to say about it, that wife would not be Miss Heidi Lester.
Chapter Eight
Heidi stood in her drawers and chemise and frowned at the array of colorful clothing strewn around her room. She’d tried on every single dress she’d brought with her. Nothing seemed right for her visit to Senator Cochran’s house. One dress appeared too old fashioned, another one too dull in color, most of the rest too childish. She wore one of her two day dresses under her apron to work each day, but she wanted something special for the visit to Michael’s family.
For the tenth time she considered sending a note to him pleading a headache and unable to attend. Then she chastised herself for being such a coward. Her plan to stay the month and prove to everyone she could take care of herself would never work if she didn’t face her fears. She could do this.
Finally she chose a dark blue velvet dress with a high-necked beige lace inset in the bodice, and a matching embroidered bolero jacket. Her outfit may have been a little too fancy for a family birthday celebration, but nothing else suited. Now with money of her own, she really needed more clothing appropriate for a working woman. A good portion of her wardrobe resembled a young girl’s, instead of a grown woman.
Next she tackled her hair, which did not want to cooperate. No matter how many pins she stuck into her bun, the silky strands slipped out. Why didn’t she have problems with keeping her hair up any other day? Frustrated, she simply braided the mess of curls and pinned them to her head, but ringlets escaped and settled on her forehead and alongside her ears.
Three times she dropped her earrings, until she forced herself to inhale deeply and calm down. She would be visiting Michael’s family. If they were anything like him, all would be fine.
The front door knocker sounded and she almost lost her breakfast. She tugged on the edges of the jacket, and smoothed her hair back. With shaky hands she pulled on her leather gloves and picked up her purse. One more glance in the mirror convinced her she looked terrified. She practiced a smile, placed her palms on her stomach and, taking a deep breath, left the room.
Michael stood in the entrance hall speaking with Mrs. Wilson. Before she even reached the bottom step, the scent of Michael-soap, leather, and him-drifted to her nostrils. He turned to her, a smile on his lips.
Her heart dropped to her toes. “What happened to you?” His handsome face bore a black and blue mark on his jaw, and a cut on his lip.
He waved his hand. “Nothing. A little accident. Where is your coat?”
A little accident? Had Michael been in a fight? He obviously did not want to discuss it, and truth be known, she had no right to demand an explanation. Maybe her imagination, but there seemed to be approval in his eyes as he regarded her. Her stomach fluttered again, but not from fright.
Slow down, Heidi, Michael is your employer. He is bringing you because he wants you to meet his sister. Nothing else.
“My, don’t you look nice.” Mrs. Wilson enthused, as she patted her arm. “Mr. Henderson told me all about the birthday celebration today. I’m sure you’ll have a nice time. He has a wonderful family.”
Heidi licked her dry lips as she removed her coat from the hook by the door. Michael grasped it, and helped her into it. “Do you have your medicine with you?”
She patted her purse. “Right here.”
“Good. It’s important you always carry it with you.” He took the scarf from her hands and wrapped the warmth around her lower face. “It’s chilly today.”
They said their goodbyes to Mrs. Wilson and headed to the buggy.
****
“Is it far to Senator Cochran’s house?”
“No. It’s only a few miles outside of town. When Jesse first had their house built, it stood much farther out, but over the years Guthrie has spread quite a bit.”
He studied her hands twisting in her lap and grinned. “You’re not nervous, are you?”
Her wide-eyed look almost brought him to his knees. She looked so fragile and vulnerable. Once again the thought of this delicate woman at the hands of Clarence Manfred curled his stomach.