“In case you haven?
?t noticed, Mr. Manfred, Miss Lester is unable to walk at this particular time.” He used his shoulder to push aside the curtain separating the store from the kitchen. He laid Heidi on the table and taking her cold hands between his warm ones, rubbed them briskly. Snapping open the vial, he waved the fumes under her nose.
“Clarence, is she in there?” A woman’s voice bellowed from the front of the store, followed by heavy footsteps shuffling in their direction.
Heidi coughed, and attempted to sit up.
Michael placed his hand on her shoulder. “Stay still for a minute.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, and ran the cloth under the tap. Manfred stood there frowning at Heidi. Very helpful.
The curtain moved aside and an older woman, stout, short, and huffing like a steam engine, entered the room. “What did you do to Miss Lester?” She shot daggers in Michael’s direction.
He sighed. “She’s fainted.”
Heidi continued to cough, and Michael slid his hand under her back, easing her up.
The woman pushed his hand aside as he laid the wet handkerchief on the back of her neck. “I’ll do that.”
Michael moved back, and leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as he watched the spectacle. The man who’d introduced himself as the fiancé appeared more annoyed than concerned about his betrothed’s health.
Heidi blinked a few times, and turned her head. “Clarence. What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to escort you back to Oklahoma City, Heidi. And I would say just in time.” He glared at Michael. “This man carried you in his arms.”
Heidi sighed. “It seems I fainted, Clarence. I could hardly walk on my own.”
“I would have carried you, if he didn’t beat me to it.”
“I’m sure you would have.” She looked in the woman’s direction. “Hello, Mrs. Manfred.”
“Heidi, dear.” She sat in the chair next to her and patted her hand. “Clarence could simply not stay away when your parents told him you were missing.”
“I not missing, ma’am. As you see, I’m right here.” She pulled her hand free of the woman’s grasp and fisted her hands in her lap. “I left my home so I could do something by myself.”
“I would have been happy to accompany you if you wanted a little trip.” Clarence patted her on the head like a pet dog.
Heidi swung her legs over the edge of the table and stood. “By myself, I said.” Her shoulders slumped as she shook out her skirt, then sat.
Anger flashed in Clarence’s eyes. “Nonsense. You can’t do things on your own. Your parents have told you so for years. I can’t believe you would put yourself in harm’s way…”
“Enough!” Michael declared as he pushed away from the wall. The place had turned into a circus. “Everybody out except Miss Lester.”
Clarence drew himself up. “I will not leave my fiancée here alone with you, sir.”
“Miss Lester is my employee. We’ve been alone here in the store for the better part of the morning.” This jackass could not be Heidi’s fiancé.
Mrs. Manfred turned to Heidi. “Dear, you must come with us. We will accompany you home. Your parents are very worried.”
Michael rested his hands on his hips. “I’m saying for the very last time, everybody out except Miss Lester.” He fisted the back of Clarence’s shirt collar and walked him to the curtain leading to the store. Turning toward the woman gaping at him, her face a bright red, he added, “You, too.”
“Well, I never.” She gasped.
“Ma’am.” He released Clarence, and waved his hand in the direction of the curtain. “The exit is that way.”
Clarence glared at him as he straightened his clothes, and the woman stiffened her shoulders. She sailed through the door, nose in the air. Michael waited until he heard the front door close and silence descend.
He took a deep breath, sat next to Heidi, and took her hand. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” She sighed and closed her eyes.