Heidi’s eyes grew wide. “What? I mean, why-I don’t understand.”
“As a lady you would not understand, dearest, but there is usually only one reason why a man pays a woman to leave town.”
She shook her head in confusion. “I still don’t understand.”
“Of course you don’t, and please remember I’m only relating the story to you for your own good.” He started forward again. “Oftentimes a man will pay a woman to leave town because she is carrying his child, and he wishes her out of the way.”
Chapter Eleven
The next morning, Heidi remained silent throughout the breakfast of corn bread with butter and honey she’d brought from home. Her stomach churned as she ate, but pretending normalcy could get her through the day.
“Is everything all right?” Michael wiped his mouth with a napkin and sat back.
“Fine.” She barely got the word out with crumbs from the corn bread stuck in her throat. All the moisture in her mouth had dried up. Every time she looked at the bruise on Michael’s chin, she thought of Clarence’s revelations the day before. It seemed unbelievable Michael would be involved in a bar brawl, and then pay some woman of ill repute to leave town. She shook her head. Obviously, her lack of social interaction had left her with poor judgment of peoples’ character.
“You seem to be doing some pretty heavy thinking this morning.” He grinned as he removed the plates and cups, and deposited them into the sink. Then he turned and leaned against the counter with his arms crossed. “How was the day with your family?”
“Fine.” She glanced briefly at him, then with her head down, pleated the skirt of her dress with stiff fingers.
He sighed and walked to the curtain separating them from the store. “I’ll open up.”
Although he wasn’t there to see it, she nodded. Clarence’s words had repeated in her mind all night, preventing her from getting much sleep. With rigid movements, she rose and pulled her apron off the hook and tied the lengthy strings around her waist. Unbidden tears rose to her eyes. Her knight in shining armor was no more. Maybe she should admit her failure, and return to Oklahoma City. She pushed the thought from her mind as the tinkling of the front doorbell announced the arrival of a customer.
Heidi managed to avoid Michael most of the day, and even made up an excuse about meeting someone for lunch in the little restaurant around the corner, so she wouldn’t have to eat with him. His raised eyebrows indicated he didn’t believe her, since he knew she had no friends here except Ellie.
By six o’clock she had a pounding headache, and fought the exhaustion of avoiding Michael every time they were left alone in the store. She’d kept her eyes downcast, and her hands busy. A few times she caught him looking at her with a frown, but he never again asked if everything was all right. She sighed with relief when he locked the front door and wished her good evening.
“Are you sure you don’t want a ride home?” He pulled on his brown leather driving gloves.
“No. Thank you, though.” She turned and hurried away.
****
Michael watched Heidi as she weaved in and out, dodging workers leaving offices and stores for the evening. He walked in the opposite direction to retrieve his buggy from the livery. Something bothered her, and with a sinking feeling in his stomach, he admitted it must have been the kiss Saturday.
As usual, he didn’t see her on Sunday since they attended different churches. After services, he’d spent the rest of the day quietly at home. He read, fixed something to eat, and took a long walk. The entire time a sense of emptiness tugged at him. Generally, he enjoyed the peace of Sunday after a busy week at the store, but for some reason his house seemed too quiet.
He’d spent hours thinking about Heidi. How much longer could he deny the growing feelings? His attraction to her would once again expose his heart to pain if he wasn’t careful. Her huge blue eyes, the riot of blonde curls, her slender neck, the way she felt in his arms, her lips. All these things scared him.
Michael unhitched the horse from his buggy and groomed him before entering his cold, dark house. He lit a few lamps on his way to the kitchen where he buttered a chunk of bread to eat with the vegetable soup his housekeeper had left on Friday. After cleaning up the few dishes, he lit a fire in the parlor fireplace and settled in front of the warmth with a book. Which he didn’t open.
What in heaven’s name troubled Heidi? Distinctly skittish today, every time he looked in her direction, she turned her head. If he stood near her, she moved away. She answered all his questions with either a nod, or one word. Yet, her demeanor hadn’t changed with the customers, so whatever the trouble, it had something to do with him.
The kiss.
****
The chatter of numerous women’s voices led Heidi from the front door of the Guthrie Library to the Women’s Rights meeting. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she surveyed the crowd. Women of all ages, in colorful dresses, and elaborate hats, sat in rows, talking and laughing with each other. Some looked younger than her, and others could be her grandmother. She was somewhat surprised to see several men scattered throughout the group.
Suddenly nervous about approaching the group, she licked her dry lips, and backed out the door.
“Heidi, there you are!” Ellie rose from a seat in the second row and scooted past two well-dressed women engaged in a lively debate. “I hoped you would come.”
Ellie tucked Heidi’s arm in hers, and tugged her forward. “Come on. I want you to meet some of the ladies.” Within minutes, Ellie had dragged her to the second row, and settled them side by side. Several women turned in their direction, and Ellie made the introductions.
“You work in the pharmacy?” A sweet-faced woman with rosy cheeks and dimples, who Ellie had introduced as Grace Norton, leaned over Ellie.
“Yes. I’ve been there for about two weeks now.” Heidi smiled at the cheerful woman.