Within minutes, Michael had Heidi wrapped and bundled under a warm blanket in his buggy. As the buggy proceeded down the street to her house, she placed her face in her hands and cried, her shoulders shaking, deep wrenching sobs that tore at him.
Like most men, Michael preferred to duck a pot or pan tossed at his head, than have to deal with tears. So he kept silent, but offered her a handkerchief from his pocket.
Heidi took it, and continued to cry. Her sobs had turned to soft hiccups when Michael stopped the buggy by the side of the road a few blocks before Mrs. Wilson’s house.
Michael turned to her. “Are you all right?”
She lifted a blotchy red face, with tear clumped eyelashes, wiped her nose with his handkerchief and took a deep, shuddering breath. “No. Not at all. I’m humiliated and ready to return home to Oklahoma City. They’re right. I have no reason to continue my-adventure-as Clarence called it.”
“Prepared to quit already?” He asked softly, as he ran his knuckles over her soft, damp cheek.
She faced him, fresh tears brimming in her eyes. “I caused a fiasco in the coffee shop. My parents and my fiancé’s mother trail me around town, causing trouble everywhere I go. One night this week I can expect Clarence to pop up and berate me also. There’s nowhere for me to hide from them.” Her eyes flashed with anger. “I asked them to allow me a month, but they won’t.”
Michael nodded. “Good.”
“Good?” Her jaw dropped. “You think it’s good they’re refusing to honor our agreement?”
“No. I think it’s good you’re feeling anger instead of self-pity.”
Heidi drew back as if slapped. “Self-pity? Is that what you think of me?”
He smiled to lighten his words. “Aren’t you doing that very thing? Feeling sorry for yourself because they won’t leave you alone? Ready to quit and return home, and be the dutiful daughter and fiancee? Is that the life you truly want for yourself?”
She starred at her lap. “No.”
“Then keep the anger, Heidi. Your family has no right to control you, you’re a woman grown.” He studied her as her features changed from sadness to fear, and then anger.
“You’re right. If I want to stay here a month and try a different life, I will do it.” She lifted her chin and glared at him.
The transformation amazed him, and he’d never seen a more beautiful woman in his life. Two red dots appeared on her cheeks, and her blue eyes grew deeper, as she pushed the curls off her forehead. Before his brain could kick in and scream no, he leaned forward, and putting his hand on the back of her neck, pulled her to him. She closed her eyes as he covered her lips, softly at first, and then deeper when she sighed in
to his mouth. The slight scent of Belladonna drifted over him, along with her own special fragrance of lavender, and Heidi. Her lips were soft and full, sweet and salty from her tears. He pulled her closer, and she slid her hands up his chest to circle his neck. The warmth of her body heated him, and stirred his manhood.
Michael opened his eyes and broke from her. Immediately he felt cold, as if the sun had dipped behind a cloud. His palm cupped her cheek. “Do you want an apology?”
“No,” she shook her head, and leaned against the seat.
He took up the reins and continued on. What had he done? The poor woman had just recovered from a serious asthma attack, dealt with overwrought emotions, and he’d kissed her? He glanced sideways. If the kiss had affected her in a negative way, she showed no signs of it. She sat erect, her hands resting in her lap, a slight smile on her lips. No, no signs of an adverse reaction.
“Have you been keeping your journal?” Michael asked, glancing at her.
She turned to him. “Every day. I write how I feel, what I eat, and where I am.”
“What did you have for lunch at the coffee house?”
“An egg salad sandwich and tea. Nothing unusual, and certainly nothing I haven’t had before.”
He thought for a few minutes, and then asked the question he figured he already knew the answer to. “What were you talking about with your parents when your asthma attack started?”
Heidi mumbled to her lap. “Papa insisted I return home.”
“Stress can trigger an attack.”
She shrugged her shoulders and gazed at the passing houses.
Although still daytime, the gloomy weather made the soft lights from Mrs. Wilson’s parlor glow in the dimness as the buggy stopped in front of the house. Michael wrapped the reins around the dash rail, and hopped down. His hands gripped Heidi’s slim waist as he lifted, and then set her on her feet. He extended his arm that she took before climbing the stairs.
Once on the porch, Michael turned to her. “Tomorrow I’ll inform any visitors you have they are only welcome in the store to purchase something. I don’t mean to cause insult, but I won’t have you upset. You need to feel safe at your job, and I will see to it.”