Heidi’s face reddened, as she chewed her lip, and studied her lap.
Michael bristled. He’d heard enough. “Mr. Lester, with all due respect, I have to disagree with you.”
“Oh?” Raised eyebrows once again.
“Heidi is not a little girl, and she doesn’t need someone to look after her. She puts in a full day’s work, and does as good a job, if not better, than my previous employee. If she has a problem with her breathing, she takes care of it herself in the back of the store.”
Silence descended on the table. Heidi glanced sideways at him, her lips tilted in a slight smile. Mrs. Lester now stared at her lap, and Mr. Lester sat wide-eyed.
“Well. I’m certainly happy to hear you say so,” her papa said, his jaw clenched. “But since Heidi is our daughter, and we know what’s best for her, having someone nearby in case she has trouble is crucial.”
“And I agree with you, Mr. Lester. I’m always there if Heidi has problems. What I’m trying to convey is she doesn’t require my help very often. In fact, she needs me more to explain how to mix medicines when she helps me, than she does with her breathing. She has her illness under control.”
Mr. Lester nodded, appearing somewhat mollified.
Mrs. Davidson approached the table, with coffee cups, and slices of pie balanced on a round tray. “I know you love my peach pie, Mr. Lester, so I cut y’all some pieces to enjoy with your coffee.”
“Thank you. Yes, I do love your peach pie.” Mr. Lester turned to Heidi and Michael. “You’re in for a real treat now.”
The rest of the meal passed with pleasant conversation about the weather, the plays the Lesters had seen, and a discussion about Mrs. Manfred deciding to return home because she felt Clarence needed her.
“Can I convince the two of you to secure rooms here in the hotel for the night, instead of going out into that miserable weather?” Mr. Lester asked as he rose from the table.
Michael pulled out Heidi’s chair. “A reasonable suggestion, but if Heidi would rather leave, I’ll be glad to drive her in your buggy and return it in the morning, so you don’t have to venture out.”
“I would love to stay here, Mother, but I’m concerned Mrs. Wilson would be worried about me, and I don’t want to cause her any trouble.” Heidi shrugged into her coat with Michael’s assistance.
Mrs. Lester sighed. “All right, sweetheart. We’re having dinner tomorrow night at the home of a lovely couple we met at the theater the other night, so we’ll see you in a couple of days.” She took Heidi’s arm, and they strolled the hotel lobby toward the front door.
Michael pulled on his gloves, and nodded at Mr. Lester. “I’ll return your buggy to the livery in the morning, sir.”
The older man slapped him on the back. “I’d appreciate that, young man.” He held out his hand. “It has been a pleasure, Michael. Give my regards to your uncle. Wonderful man, the Senator.”
Heidi pulled her scarf around her mo
uth after kissing and hugging her parents. Michael took her arm in his, and they lowered their heads as small ice pellets struck them in the face. Coat collars pulled up snugly, they hurried the few steps to the hotel’s livery.
The smell of wet hay and horses assailed him as they entered the building. Tucked close to his side, Heidi shivered, and wiped the water off her face as Michael helped her into the buggy. Reaching to the back seat, he handed her a woolen blanket, which she wrapped around her, scrunching down in the seat, her body still wracked with tremors.
Slapping the reins, he spoke to the horse. “Sorry, boy, I hate to send you out in these conditions, but soon you’ll be in a cozy stall in my barn.”
What a miserable night. His conveyance rode alone on the dark, muddy street. Two figures huddled in the doorway of the barber shop. Poor fellows. Not a good night to be without shelter. A soaked dog plodded across the street, his head lowered in misery.
Michael glanced sideways at Heidi, huddled in the blanket, shivering. He reached his arm over, and pulled her against him, tucking her in the crook of his arm, her head against his shoulder.
“Thank you.” She looked up at him. “And not just for the warmth.”
Michael glanced down at her perfectly shaped lips curved in a warm smile. “What for?”
“For telling my parents I’m not a little girl who needs watching over.”
He shrugged. “It’s true. You’re not a little girl, and you shouldn’t let them treat you that way. Having a medical condition doesn’t cause immaturity. It merely creates illness—on occasion.”
Heidi sighed. “It’s hard for them not to. Birthdays came and went, but in their eyes, I never got past twelve years of age.”
“Your parents will eventually understand. You took the first step, and I’m proud of you for sticking to your guns.”
Her eyes sparkled. “You are?”