Despite the fact the man is an idiot.
Because they returned late from lunch, several customers waited as he and Heidi turned the corner. He hurried to unlock the door and let them in. Two young women headed to the hair products counter, giggling, their heads close together. Heidi immediately hung up her coat and took her place behind the counter, tying an apron around her slender waist. Soon several more customers arrived, and he got caught up in mixing prescriptions.
The afternoon passed quickly enough. From time to time he caught Heidi mixing sodas behind the fountain, or wrapping packages for customers. She smiled as she made change, and wished everyone a good day. When there were no customers to deal with, she kept herself busy arranging shelves. When she would hurry past where he stood mixing medicine, he’d catch a whiff of her lavender scent. They chatted occasionally, but most times worked in companionable silence.
About an hour before closing time, Michael’s head jerked at the sound of Heidi’s sharp intake of breath. As expected, Mrs. Manfred waddled through the door, stopping directly in front of where she stood behind the counter. Heidi’s hands fumbled with the packages of hairpins she’d arranged earlier. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Manfred.”
“Heidi, dear. I had to come and check on you. How is your breathing, dear?”
“Fine.” She kept her head down, but the quick rise and fall of her chest spoke of her agitation.
Look her in the eye, Heidi. She can’t hurt you.
“You’ll be happy to know Clarence has notified your parents by wire, and they will be arriving tomorrow to take you home.”
Heidi jerked her head up, face flushed. “I don’t intend to return home.”
The woman reached across the packages of hair goods and patted her hand. “Of course you do. You’ve shown us all you’re capable of taking care of yourself, so now you need to go home and prepare for your wedding. Clarence is quite anxious to make you his wife. He’ll take good care of you, so there will never be a need for you to work.”
“No.” She pulled her hand away, brow creased in frustration. “I want to stay here and work. Mr. Henderson needs me.”
Mrs. Manfred shot a look of pure hatred at Michael. He watched her from under his eyelashes, appearing to mix prescriptions.
“I’m sure Mr. Henderson can find someone else, Heidi.”
“No.” The word came out breathless and Michael stopped pretending to work, and glared in Mrs. Manfred’s direction.
“See, my dear. Your breathing is already giving you trouble.”
“No…it’s…not.” Heidi had trouble getting her words out.
Michael left his place and walked to the counter. “Mrs. Manfred, may I please ask you to leave my employee alone. She has work to do.”
The older woman sniffed and drew herself up. “She won’t be your employee for long, Mr. Henderson. Miss Lester will be marrying my son very shortly.”
“So you say. But for now I wish you a good day, ma’am.” He turned to Heidi. “Miss Lester, it’s time for your afternoon break.” He placed his hand on her lower back and nudged her toward the back of the store. “Take shallow breaths and relax,” he mumbled into her ear.
“You may think you’ve dismissed me, young man. But I will be back!” The older woman shouted as she left the store.
What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Henderson?
Chapter Four
Clarence Manfred scanned the missive once again. He smiled. Heidi’s parents would arrive on the morrow. Satisfied, he tucked the paper into his vest pocket and left the Western Union office. Assured all would be well, he cast a glance at the various businesses lining both sides of the street. An array of small, tidy shops made up Guthrie’s downtown.
He strolled the boardwalk, passing the meat store with its red and white striped awning sitting to the right of the milliner’s. A busy little
boot shop inhabited the space on the first floor of an office building advertising lawyers and a dentist.
Having no need for any of those types of goods or services, he crossed the street and headed directly to The Blue Belle Saloon, where Miss Lizzie’s Bordello occupied the second floor. A couple of drinks and a romp with one of the girls would set his world to rights.
A surge of anger washed over him at the stunt Heidi had pulled. The woman possessed absolutely no sense, and he would be sure she understood once she married him, he would tell her what to do. With her parents arriving tomorrow to back him up, she’d better abandon the ridiculous idea of working, and return home. He had no intention of losing the windfall her father had promised for taking her off his hands. A perfect arrangement.
He would keep his mistress, have profitable businesses under his ownership, and a pretty, if worthless, wife to entertain his associates. Not totally worthless. A nice dowry, new house, and multiple businesses being handed to him would offset any inconvenience he suffered because of her illness.
Clarence entered the saloon and sauntered to the bar. He waved in the direction of the bartender. “Whiskey.”
The bartender swiped the scarred wooden bar with the dirty rag in his hand, and grabbed a bottle from the shelf in front of the long mirror against the wall. He slapped the liquor down in front of Clarence, along with a small glass. “Five bits.”