He shook his head. “No. I want to tell her. Most likely, she’ll not believe Jesse doesn’t care about scandal unless she hears the words from my mouth.” He winked at her. “I’ve noticed her stubborn little chin.”
Mrs. Lester hugged him. “I’ve missed you so much.”
He rested his hand on her lower back and moved her toward the doorway. “Can I drive you to the train station?”
“That would be wonderful. I told Mr. Lester I would be gone all afternoon. Heidi’s busy today with the final fitting on her wedding gown, and I don’t want to be so late she wonders where I’ve been.”
After giving directives to his employee, along with the key to lock up, he joined Mrs. Lester at the front door.
She tucked her arm in his as they headed toward the buggy parked at the livery. “You’re a good man, Michael Henderson. And very good for my daughter. I’m counting on you to save her from herself.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Where’s Mother?” Heidi entered the dining room to find three places set, but only Papa sitting there.
“Making final wedding arrangements.” He stood and pulled Heidi’s chair back.
“Still?” Her eyebrows rose, as she settled in her seat, and unfolded the snowy white napkin.
“Not to worry. Your mother told me earlier she may not be back in time for dinner.” He patted Heidi’s hand. “The mother of the bride has a lot of responsibilities.”
A young maid entered, carrying a platter of roast beef she placed on the table. While Heidi and her papa helped themselves to the meat, the maid returned with a tray containing a bowl of mashed potatoes, a pitcher of thick, dark gravy, and a bowl of carrots, dripping with butter. After studying the table, the young girl left, closing the door behind her.
“Is that little bit all you’re eating?” Papa frowned as he eyed Heidi’s plate with one small piece of beef, and a few carrots.
“I’m not hungry.”
He sat back, his fork and knife fisted in his hands. “I’ll be very glad when this wedding is over, and you regain your appetite. You’ve lost too much weight, Heidi.” He nodded in the direction of the small white pitcher. “Here, add some gravy.”
The smell of the gravy turned her stomach. Her morning sickness had relocated to the evening. Rather, the evening time now added to her morning sickness. “No, thank you.” She placed her hand over her plate to block the gravy.
This time tomorrow, she would be married to Clarence. He’d told her on his last visit they would take the train to Dallas right after the wedding breakfast. She’d packed all the new gowns the dressmaker had sent yesterday. Although she’d never been to Texas before, she felt no excitement for the planned trip.
She didn’t care about the new gowns, petticoats, frilly nightgowns, and undergarments the dressmaker had gushed over when she’d delivered them. Nor the beautiful sapphire necklace Papa had given her this morning. She felt dead inside. Numb and cold where her heart should be.
Her hand moved to her belly. It would be some time before her condition became obvious. Knowing a small part of Michael lived inside her, soothed the ache in her heart.
Clarence had smiled cheerfully when he’d related his plans to have her installed in her own room at the Dallas hotel while he and Gloria shared another. Since no one knew of her humiliation except the three of them, relief flooded her at not having to spend any more time with him than absolutely necessary.
Once they returned from the honeymoon travesty, she would insist on a house of her own, out in the country, away from the noise and prying eyes of the city. There she would nurture the baby growing inside her, eating all sorts of good, healthy food, growing very fat. She would knit little blankets and hats for her baby, and when the time came, she would hold in her arms the child she and had Michael made with their love. Tears pooled in her eyes. Oh, if only he could share all this with me.
“Is everything all right?” Papa watched her with concern.
“Yes. Fine.” She attempted a smile. “Perhaps a little melancholy about leaving my home tomorrow.”
“You won’t be far away.”
She winced at the reference to the large, fancy house Clarence had chosen for them, only a few blocks from her parents. A house she had no intention of ever living in. He could have all the fancy houses he wanted. All she wanted was a cozy little place for her and the baby.
When the warmer weather arrived, she would plant flowers, and maybe even a vegetable garden. She would invite Mother for tea, and they would sit in the warmth of the sun in her garden, anticipating the birth of her child as their fingers kept busy sewing baby clothes. For Michael’s child.
“I’m home.” Mother’s voiced drifted in from the front hall, dragging Heidi from her musings.
The dining room door opened, and her mother peeked in, then swung the door wide as she entered. “You’re still at dinner. Good, I’m starved.” She dropped a quick kiss on Papa’s head, and settled in the chair to his left. Flicking her napkin, she laid the cloth on her lap, and reached for the platter of meat.
“Did you have a productive afternoon, my dear?” Papa pushed his empty plate back, and smiled at Mother.
“Oh, most productive. I can’t tell you how happy I am with all I accomplished.” She cut a piece of the beef and brought the morsel to her mouth. “Mmm. This is so good.”
“What did you have to finish up, Mother? I thought everything had all been settled?”
She waved her hand, and forked mashed potatoes into her mouth with her other hand, then swallowed. “Just a few last minute details. Nothing to trouble yourself about.” She glanced at Heidi’s plate. “You need to eat, dear.”
Heidi pushed the food around her plate. “Maybe later, I’m feeling a bit queasy right now.”
“You’re not getting ill, are you?” Papa asked.
She shot a quick glance at her mother, who smiled. “No, Papa, probably only bridal nerves.”
“Well I hope so. You’ve been moping around here entirely too much lately. No way for a bride to act, I must say.” He pushed his chair back. “Please excuse me, my dear,” he addressed Mother, “but I still have a few ledgers to work on.”
“Certainly. I’ll finish my dinner.” She turned to Heidi. “I think I’ll treat myself to a long, leisurely bath and retire early.” She winked. “Tomorrow will be a most eventful day.”
“Yes.” Heidi glanced sideways as she dragged the word out. Her mother’s mood had greatly improved since this morning.
Well, you told her you wouldn’t change your mind, so why would she continue to fret? Let her enjoy her role as the bride’s mother.
“A bath sounds like a good idea. I think I’ll do the same. Enjoy the last one in my home.” Her voice caught on the last words.
Mother reached over and patted her hand. “It will be all right.”
Heidi shook her head and stood. She ran her palms up and down her arms and headed to the door.
“Trust me, my dear daughter,” Mother said as she stabbed carrots on her plate and forked them into her mouth. “Mmm, this is good.”
****
Michael stopped his buggy under the covered drive on the side of Tori and Jesse’s house. He patted his jacket pocket to assure himself the letter remained tucked securely in there, and bounded up the steps.
“Anybody home?” He called from the door, as he stepped into the entrance hall.
“Michael!” Priscilla came flying down the stairs, pigtails bouncing against her shoulders. She threw herself into his arms.
He swung her around. “Hey, minx. I swear you grow an inch every time I see you.”
Her legs wrapped around his waist, and fingers linked behind his neck, she leaned back and regarded him. “Why are you here? Who’s taking care of the store?”
He tapped her on her nose. “My new employee, John.”
Priscilla’s smile faded. “I’m sorry about Heidi.”
Michael set her on her feet. “Not to worry, Pris.” He
glanced around. “Is your papa home?”
“Yes, he’s in the library. But Mama’s with him. I think they’re planning something wonderful.”
He caressed her cheek. “You always think they’re planning something wonderful.”
Priscilla skipped along and chattered all the way down the hallway until they stood at the library door. Michael knocked once, and entered at Tori’s come in.
“Well, hello there.” Tori rose from where she leaned over Jesse’s shoulder as they studied papers on his desk.
“Priscilla, is your homework finished?” Jesse asked, leaning back in his chair.
“Almost.”
“Back to it, young lady.”
Priscilla wrinkled her nose. “Someone should pass a law against child labor.”
“Go,” Tori added.
“I must say you look a lot better than the last few times I saw you,” Jesse remarked as Priscilla closed the door.
“You could say things are looking up.” Michael settled in the worn leather chair Tori had been trying to replace for years. His aunt sat next to him in its mate, adjusting her skirts.
“I had a visit from Heidi’s mother today.”
Jesse’s eyebrows rose. “From Oklahoma City?”
Michael nodded and pulled the paper from his pocket. “She came all the way on the train to show me this.” He reached across the desk and held the note out to Jesse.
His uncle opened it, then gestured to Tori, who circled the desk to join him, resting her bottom on the arm of his chair. He held the paper in one hand, and curved his other arm around Tori’s waist. They bent over and read, the ticking of the tall cherry wood grandfather clock the only sound in the room.
They both looked up at the same time, with identical frowns. “What is this all about?” Jesse tapped the paper with his fingernail.
Michael stood and rested his hands on his hips. “It seems Heidi’s fiancé blackmailed her into marrying him.”
Tori’s jaw dropped. “I don’t believe it.”
“I’m afraid it’s true.” He turned to Jesse. “Apparently, Clarence has a mistress, Gloria something or other, who used to work in the same brothel as your…mother.”
Jesse grinned. “How old is this mistress?”
Michael shrugged. “Thirties. The timing works if Gloria was a girl when she knew Rosie.”
“And?”
He returned to his seat, his white-knuckled fists gripping the arms of the chair. “And, the bastard−sorry Tori−wrote this and told Heidi if she didn’t marry him, he would send the information to The Oklahoman and The Guthrie Sentinel.”
Jesse rested his bent elbow on the arm of his chair, and tapped his mouth with his index finger. “What did he hope to accomplish?”
“He assured Heidi if your constituents knew your background, you would be disgraced, and in turn, the whole family dishonored.”
Tori snorted. “What nonsense.”
Michael grinned. “Not to a young woman who’s been sheltered her whole life.” He shifted in his seat. “He managed to terrify her enough she agreed to marry the bastard−sorry Tori−even though he intends to keep his mistress, and has no liking for Heidi whatsoever. And told her so.” The last words came out in a growl.
“What’s your involvement, son?” Jesse spoke in an odd, yet gentle tone.
Michael stood and walked to the window, resting his forearm on the window frame. “I can’t allow Heidi to marry Clarence.”
“Why not?” Jesse prodded.
He turned, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Because I love her. The morning after he pulled this stunt, I had planned to ask her to marry me.”
“Ah.” Jesse nodded. After a moment, he added, “So what do you plan to do?”
Michael ran stiff fingers through is hair. “Go after her.”
“Sounds like a good plan. Then why are you standing here in our library?”
Michael flung himself into the chair in front of the desk. “It’s not so simple. Suppose Clarence carries out his threat, and sends this to the newspapers, and even has Gloria provide an interview?”
“Do you think I really care if the whole world knows about my background? Don’t you think your aunt and I have a certain amount of pride in the fact that I rose above my circumstances?”
“I know we’ve always thought so, but what about Priscilla, and Ben, Paul, and Henry?”
“We’ll all survive, and I think you know that. If you’re looking for our blessing, then I have one thing to say. Go after your woman.”
Michael’s heart soared, and relief flooded him. Grinning broadly, he hugged Tori and shook Jesse’s hand. He strode to the door, and yanked it open. Priscilla tumbled into the room.
She smiled up at him from her position on the floor. “I told you something wonderful would happen.”
“Priscilla Cochran,” Tori admonished.
“Pris, you have no idea.” Michael stepped around her, and headed for the front door.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Heidi’s eyes popped open as a jolt of panic raced from her stomach to her heart. Oh God, today is the day. The beaded white wedding dress hanging over the door of her wardrobe mocked her. As a bride, this should be the happiest day of her life. Instead, misery flooded her.
A wave of nausea drove her to the chamber pot, where she retched while tears ran down her face. After rinsing her mouth out, she sat back on her heels, her shoulders slumped. Doubts assailed her. Should she have told Michael about Clarence’s threat? And the baby?
Her child, the one she made with Michael, would never know its father. Since Clarence intended to have her as wife in name only, the baby would be a bastard in his eyes, and he would most likely treat the child as one.
Wearily, she wiped her eyes and stood. She wandered to the window, amazed at the sun shining so brightly, on her day of gloom. Two cardinals perched on a branch of her favorite elm tree, their heads raised to the warmth of the sun. More spring buds had broken through the red earth, waving in the slight breeze.
She turned at the sight knock. “Come in.”
Mother entered, her eyes bright, and much more cheerful than Heidi would have expected. “Good morning, dear.” She moved further into the room, her flowered dressing gown floating behind her. “I’ve brought you a cup of tea. The warmth may help settle your stomach.”
She placed the cup and saucer on the table next to Heidi’s bed. “How’s your tummy this morning?”
Heidi shook her head and shrugged into her dressing gown, then tied the belt into a bow. “I like being sick each morning. The nausea reminds me of the one pleasant thing in my life.” A lone tear trickled down her cheek.
“Now, dear. You mustn’t trouble yourself.” She patted her hand. “Have some of your tea, and in a little while I’ll run your bath.” Mother crossed to the doorway, the sound of her slippers smacking against her feet echoing in the room. She turned and winked, then closed the door behind her with a soft click.
Well, that encounter was strange. Heidi had assumed Mother would be as glum as she. Instead, absolute joy radiated from her.
The clock on her dresser ticked in rhythm with her heartbeat. Seven o’clock. In four hours she would stand before Reverend Blake and say the words binding her to a man she loathed. Her hand moved to her still flat belly.
****
Hang on Heidi, I’m coming.
At seven o’clock Michael strode to the ticket window and plopped his money on the worn wooden counter. “Oklahoma City, seven-fifteen train.”
“Sorry, son, the seven-fifteen’s been cancelled.”
Michael’s head snapped back. “What!”
“Next train to Oklahoma City is eight-fifteen.” The ticket master shifted his cigar from one side of his mouth to the other. “You want that one?”
“When does the train arrive in Oklahoma City?”
The man consulted a paper alongside him. “Ten thirty. Or there-abouts.”
Michael calculated. He’d planne
d to arrive at Heidi’s house before she left for church. If he didn’t arrive on time, he’d have to go straight to the ceremony. He had no choice.
“Fine. The eight-fifteen, then.”
The man whisked his money away, and slid a ticket across to him. “Might as well get yourself some breakfast.” He nodded in the direction of The Harvey House where he and Heidi had eaten a few weeks ago.
When Michael entered the restaurant, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. As he made his way past the diners enjoying their meal, he glanced at the table in the corner where he’d started to fall in love with Heidi many weeks ago.
After settling at the counter, next to an older man dressed in a business suit, he ordered a cup of coffee, and a plate of biscuits and gravy. Only a few minutes later the young waitress placed steaming, golden biscuits, smothered in gravy in front of him. He cut into one biscuit with his fork, and checked his watch. Seven-thirty.
****
Mary Lester glanced up at her husband as he entered the dining room.
“What a pleasant surprise, my dear. I’ve not known you to rise so early.” He pulled his watch out of his vest pocket, and raised his eyebrows. “Seven-thirty?”
“You may not remember, Harold, but today is your daughter’s wedding day.”
“So it is.” He kissed her on the head before pulling out his chair. “Not that I forgot.” He reached for the silver coffee pot in the center of the table, then poured the dark liquid into a cup. “I wish she seemed happier about this whole thing.”
Mary bit the inside of her cheek to keep from telling him the entire story. She’d promised Heidi, and would not break her word. But keeping such a thing from her husband of almost thirty years troubled her. She inhaled deeply to calm her racing heart. Michael would be here soon, and take care of the whole thing.
“Do you think we should have let Heidi select her own husband?” Harold stirred cream into his coffee, then blew on its steaming fragrance before taking a sip.
Mary leaned on one elbow and regarded him. “I think we’ve made mistakes. Keeping her from other people all those years was probably not the best thing to do.”
“We only wanted what was best for her.”
A Prescription For Love: An Oklahoma Lovers book Page 23
