Clarence stepped back and adjusted his coat. “This discussion isn’t over, Heidi. And don’t fool yourself into thinking it is.” He turned toward Mrs. Wilson, a bright smile on his face as she entered the room carrying several packages. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Wilson.”
She regarded him with wide eyes. “Who are you?”
He approached her, and bowed slightly. “I’m Clarence Manfred, ma’am. Heidi’s fiance’.” With a glance at Heidi, almost daring her to dispute it, he added, “I will see you later, my dear. I understand we’re attending a supper and dance at the church.” Nodding at her, he turned and left the house.
“I didn’t know you were engaged,” Mrs. Wilson called over her shoulder as she carried her parcels to the kitchen.
Stunned, Heidi remained silent. What in heaven’s name was that all about? He made arrangements with her parents, so she had to marry him? Her fear slowly turned into anger. How dare he refuse my decision. With shaky legs, she stood and headed to the stairs. Before she reached the first step, all the air in the room seemed to disappear as the familiar tightness crushed her chest. She turned and made her way to the kitchen, gasping.
“Oh, dear. I believe you’re having a breathing attack.” Mrs. Wilson took Heidi by the hand and led her to a chair. “Just sit right there, dear, and I’ll heat the water for you. Where do you keep your medicine?”
“My room,” she rasped. “Top…of…dresser.”
“I’ll get it, you sit there.” Mrs. Wilson slid a kettle over the burner on the large iron stove. Poking the fire, she added more wood and then hurried from the room.
Heidi raised her hands above her head, as Michael had taught her. The sound of her wheezing filled the room. Calm. You must be calm. Don’t think about Clarence now, think only pleasant thoughts. Sunshine, and furry little kittens.
“We’ll have you fixed up in no time.” Mrs. Wilson bustled back into the kitchen, took a bowl from the shelf and added a pinch of the Belladonna.
Heidi concentrated on relaxing her muscles. After a few minutes, Mrs. Wilson poured the hot water into the bowl and placed it on the table. Heidi lowered her hands, and pulled the bowl toward her, inhaling deeply of the healing steam.
“I think once you’re feeling better, you should lie down for a while.” Mrs. Wilson patted her hand.
Heidi nodded, beginning to feel the effects of the medicine. Her lungs expanded with a deep breath, and her tense muscles relaxed. However, the strain of the last half hour had brought on a raging headache.
“I have a pie in the oven.” She said as she accepted the cloth Mrs. Wilson handed her to wipe her face.
“How much longer? I’ll remove it for you.”
Heidi glanced at the clock. “Another twenty minutes.”
“You go on upstairs and rest. I’ll finish up down here.”
Heidi rose, and slowly made her way upstairs. Once in her room, she lay on the bed, her eyes closed. Although fatigue washed over her, she couldn’t stop reliving the scene with Clarence. Surely he couldn’t force her to marry him. And in her surprise at his attitude, she’d never gotten the opportunity to question him about the things he’d said about Michael.
Michael! She had invited him to the supper and dance, and now Clarence would be there also. She told Clarence she wished to break the engagement. If he refused to accept that, it wasn’t her problem. Since she didn’t consider herself engaged to him any longer, she could certainly invite another man to a church supper.
****
Michael settled Heidi in the buggy and handed her the woolen blanket from the back seat. “Whatever you have in there certainly smells good.” He grinned at her.
She patted the box in her lap and regarded him, a slight smile on her full lips. “I won’t tell you what I fixed, you have to bid on it.”
“You’re a hard woman, Heidi Lester.” He winked as he snapped the reins, and the buggy started forward. The weather had cleared from the miserable rain the night before. Sunshine had melted any leftover ice, and dried up most of the puddles left behind. The sun dipped behind the horizon as they made their way down the street.
Lights from the church bathed the entire corner in brightness. Buggies lined the road, the horses swinging their heads, an occasional animal stamping a hoof in restlessness. Heidi hugged her supper box to her chest as Michael held her elbow to keep her from sliding on the red mud.
Once inside the warm church hall, he escorted Heidi to the table where dozens of boxes of all sizes sat. Each woman had drawn some sort of decoration on hers so the desired gentleman would know which box to bid on. Heidi had drawn a blue star on her contribution, and gone through a great deal of trouble to point out the design.
“Heidi.” Michael turned at the sound of Mrs. Lester calling to them. They made their way over to a table where Mr. and Mrs. Lester sat with another couple.
“Mr. and Mrs. Harris, this is our daughter, Heidi.” Heidi smiled at them, and turned to Michael. Before she could introduce him, Mrs. Harris addressed Michael.
“Michael, it’s a pleasure to see you here. I though you attended the Baptist church?”
“Hello, Mrs. Harris. Yes, I do, but Miss Lester is my employee, and she invited me this evening.”
“Your employee?” Mr. Harris said.
“My daughter is working for a short time until her marriage.” Mrs. Lester added quickly.
Mr. Harris beamed at them. “You’re getting married, Michael?”
“Oh, no.” Mrs. Lester’s face grew red. “Heidi is not engaged to Mr. Henderson.”
Two sets of confused eyes regarded Heidi’s mother. “I don’t understand,” Mrs. Harris said, looking back and forth between Heidi and her mother.
“I’m here.” The voice Michael hoped to never hear again spoke from behind him.
Clarence stepped up to the table. “I’m Clarence Manfred, and I’m Heidi’s fiancé.” He held out his hand to Mr. Harris, and then nodded at Mr. Lester. “Harold.”
Turning to Heidi, he took her hand, and kissed it. “My dear, so good to see you.”
All the blood rushed to Heidi’s face, and her eyes snapped. Michael pulled out a chair, and she sat, her mouth in a thin line. Something had upset her, obviously to do with Manfred. Michael took the seat next to her, and Clarence the one directly across.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if you would take your seats, we can begin the bidding for the supper boxes.” The shrill voice of a middle-aged woman, broke the strained silence at the table. She smiled a toothsome smile, her hair drawn back into a severe bun, with spectacles perched on her long, thin nose.
Her hand waved in the direction of the table laden with boxes. “We will hold up the various boxes, one at a time, and the gentlemen will bid on them. The winner gets the box, and the company of the charming woman who prepared it.” She smiled brightly at her audience, and waved her finger. “Now I hope you ladies haven’t told the gentlemen which box is yours.” Her eyes sparkled as she admonished the group, since no doubt that very thing happened every year. She stepped back as a man rose to begin the auction.
After about fifteen boxes had been sold, and placed in the hands of the winners, the auctioneer held Heidi’s box up.
“What am I bid for this supper?” The gentleman’s deep voiced boomed throughout the hall.
“Three dollars.” Michael shouted.
“Four.” Clarence glared at him.
Michael leaned forward, and held up his fingers. “Five.”
“Five dollars and fifty cents,” Clarence added.
“Six dollars.”
A gasp rose from the crowd. No supper had gone for more than two dollars and fifty cents. Heidi dropped her head in her hands and moaned.
“Six-fifty.” Clarence’s jaw tightened.
“Seven dollars.” Michael returned.
Silence reigned for a moment, then as Clarence opened his mouth, Mr. Lester’s voice rang out. “Ten dollars.” He turned to Michael and Clarence, glaring at each other. “You two can both
share the meal with my daughter.”
Applause broke out as Mr. Lester accepted his win from the auctioneer. The man turned to the crowd, waving the ten dollar bill. “This money will certainly help our missionary efforts.”
The box with the bright blue star sat ominously in the middle of the table as the auction continued. Michael leaned forward, and whispered in Heidi’s ear. “Are you all right?”
She nodded briefly, and kept her face turned away from both men.
Why did he even place himself in the middle? Heidi claimed to not want Clarence as a husband, but either she’d never informed him, or the man was dim-witted. Or clever and manipulative. In any case, he needn’t involve himself. Nothing had changed since he’d sworn years ago to never involve himself with a woman again. Even if that woman was sweet, soft, beautiful, and spent every day close enough for him to savor her lavender scent.
Mr. Lester later paid three dollars for his wife’s box, which sat next to Heidi’s on the table. After several more bids, the auctioneer handed the last box to a gentleman who beamed brightly, and took the hand of a small red-haired woman, who gazed at him adoringly.
“That ends our auction.” The auctioneer wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, and nodded to the crowd. “Gentlemen, you may now join your lady to share her delicious supper. In a little while, the dancing will begin.”
Conversation broke out as gentlemen joined ladies at their tables, and opened boxes. Soon the aroma of many different meals filled the room.
Clarence pulled Heidi’s box toward him and opened it. “Looks wonderful, my dear.” He regarded her with narrowed eyes. “I’m sure you know I love ham.”
“Excuse me.” Heidi stood and quickly left the table. Mrs. Lester followed, her eyes concerned, and tucked her arm into her daughter’s, their heads bent close together.
Clarence stood and tugged the sleeves of his jacket. He turned to Michael. “Henderson. I’d like a word with you. Outside.”
“Gladly.” Michael pushed away from the table, as Mr. Lester looked from one to the other.
Chapter Fifteen
“I have a problem.” Heidi wrung her hands and turned to face her mother after they entered the ladies’ restroom.
“I’ll say you do, dear.” Mother smiled. “You seem to have two men fighting for your attentions.”
“It’s not funny, Mother.” She walked in a circle. “I told Clarence this afternoon I no longer wished to marry him.”
Mrs. Lester dropped to a padded wire framed chair in front of the small mirror against the wall. “You did what?” She spoke in a breathless voice.
“I don’t want to marry Clarence. What I don’t understand is why he wants to marry me.”
“What do you mean, dear? Why wouldn’t he want to marry you? You’re pretty, and well-mannered. Any man would be proud to have you as his wife.”
Heidi sat in the chair next to her mother, and clasped her hands. “Do you really think so? You and Papa always made me feel like Clarence was the only man who would have me because of my asthma.”
Her mother patted her hand. “We certainly took that into consideration. Even though you seem to think Michael has found some magic cure for your illness, the fact of the matter is, you are not a strong woman. But Clarence is very fond of you.”
Heidi stood and crossed her arms. “I don’t think so. In fact, he actually scared me today.”
“What are you talking about?” Her mother’s brows furrowed.
Heidi took a deep breath and sat once again. “He came to see me today at Mrs. Wilson’s house. I…I told him I no longer wanted to marry him.”
Her mother shook her head. “Oh, Heidi, you should have spoken to Papa and me before you said anything to Clarence.”
Heidi jumped up again. “Why? Clarence seemed to be of the opinion I had no say in my own marriage, because he made arrangements with you and Papa.” She turned to her mother, her hands out in supplication. “Why wouldn’t I have a say in who I marry?”
Her mother sighed. “It’s not that you don’t have a say, but Clarence and your papa worked out some things to your benefit. Things to ease your life a bit.”
Heidi’s jaw tightened. “What things, Mother?”
She waved her hand, a slight blush rising in her cheeks. “Nothing you need concern yourself with.”
Heidi groaned. “Will you stop treating me like a child? I’m a grown woman, and I can decide things for myself.” She stiffened her spine and glared at her mother. “And I’ve decided I don’t want to marry Clarence Manfred.”
Mother regarded her with narrowed eyes. “Does Michael have something to do with your decision?”
She crossed her arms and studied her shoes. “Maybe.”
Her mother leaned forward. “Heidi, you’re being foolish. A man like Michael Henderson would not want a sickly wife. Clarence agreed to certain allowances for you.”
Anger churned in her stomach. “He told me the type of allowances he intends to grant me, and I won’t accept them.”
Her mother cleared her throat. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Heidi shook her head. “I do know, and I want more than what he plans to offer me.” The edges of her lips turned up, and she glanced off in the distance, heat rising to her face. “I know now what I’d be missing.”
Mother’s eyes grew large, and she grasped her throat. “Oh, Heidi, what have you done?”
****
Michael followed Clarence out the door, letting the heavy, scarred wood swing shut, drowning out the noise of the band tuning up, and conversation of those enjoying their box supper. Steam shot from the warmth of his mouth, as Michael’s breath hit the cold night air.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Henderson?” Clarence turned to him, hands fisted at his side.
Michael leaned against the clapboard wall of the church, arms crossed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Heidi Lester is my fiancée.” Despite the dim light shining from the church hall, with his flushed red face and bulging eyes, Clarence radiated anger.
Michael needed to remain calm. This man deserved to have the hell beat out of him, but Heidi had been through enough embarrassment tonight. She didn’t need to witness the two of them rolling on the ground like a couple of bar brawlers. “So you say.”
“You’re damn right that’s what I say. As does her mother and father,” Clarence bristled. “We’re betrothed, and her parents agree. She accepted my ring. It’s done.”
Michael’s eyebrows shot upwards. “Is that right? Funny how you haven’t mentioned the one important person in this discussion. You agree, her mother agrees, and her father agrees. What about Heidi?”
Clarence shrugged. “Of course she agrees. Her parents know what’s best for her, and once she gets this nonsense out of her system, she’ll return to Oklahoma City and do her duty.”
“Her duty!” Michael pushed away from the wall. “The year is nineteen aught three, Mr. Manfred. A woman no longer marries to do her duty.” Michael brought himself up short, and smiled. He sounded like Ellie. She would be proud.
“Heidi has always done what she was told. She will honor her parents’ wishes and marry me. And you can bet I won’t wait one day past her ridiculous demand of a full month,” he snorted.
God, the man annoyed him. From what he’d seen of the Lesters, the mystery remained why they would want their beloved daughter tied to such an arrogant, pompous man. “If that’s the case, than I doubt Mr. and Mrs. Lester truly know you.”
Clarence’s lip curled. “Regardless of what your opinion is, Henderson, stay away from Heidi. She belongs to me.” He moved to grab the door, but was soon flat on his back, holding his jaw.
“You aren’t fit to clean her shoes, Manfred. I have no plans with regard to Heidi, but she certainly deserves better than you. A man whose behavior is so low he can even manage to embarrass a whore isn’t worthy of a decent woman.” He rubbed his knuckles, then placed hi
s hand on the doorknob as Clarence sat up, and continued to hold his chin, hatred spewing from his eyes.
Michael gave him a small salute. “I’ll be happy to tell Miss Lester and her parents you’ve taken ill and returned to the hotel.”
****
Early Sunday evening, Heidi sat in front of her bedroom window and watched the snow drift past. She pressed her palm to the glass, as if she could touch the soft flakes. How much fun to catch them on her tongue. What did snowflakes taste like? Never allowed to leave the house when it snowed, the mystery of the cold flurries pulled at her.
She sat up, her mouth in a circle, eyes wide. Nothing stopped her from going out in the snow now. Being her own person, she made her own decisions. Hurriedly, she pulled her boots from the bottom of her closet and tugged them on. Two sweaters under her coat would certainly keep her warm enough, along with her scarf, gloves and hat.
Excited as a small child, Heidi bundled up, and headed downstairs and out the front door. She tilted her head back, and snowflakes landed on her eyelashes. So cold. She giggled. One hit the tip of her nose, melted quickly, the remaining drop of water sliding off the edge, hitting her chin.
Not caring who saw her, she stuck out her tongue, and held it until several flakes had dropped. Yum. Snowflakes tasted wonderful.
“What are you doing standing out there in the snow?” Mrs. Wilson’s booming voice carried from the front door to where Heidi stood at the end of the path.
Heidi spread her arms out, and spun in a circle. “I’m enjoying the snow. Isn’t it lovely?”
“Lovely? No indeed. It’s freezing out there. You better come on in now, and warm up.” Mrs. Wilson pulled her sweater closer and regarded Heidi as if she had been let loose from the insane asylum.
“I’ll be there in a minute.” She continued to hold her head back, catching snowflakes.
The snap of the door closing echoed in the stillness of the falling snow. A couple of inches had accumulated on the ground, silencing the world, as if life held its breath, waiting for something magical to happen.
She really shouldn’t stay out any longer. Even Michael had warned her very cold weather wasn’t good for her lungs. A soft sigh escaped her lips, at the thought of her handsome boss.
A Prescription For Love: An Oklahoma Lovers book Page 13
