Heidi’s jaw tightened. “What things, Mother?”
She waved her hand, a slight blush rising in her cheeks. “Nothing you need concern yourself with.”
Heidi groaned. “Will you stop treating me like a child? I’m a grown woman, and I can decide things for myself.” She stiffened her spine and glared at her mother. “And I’ve decided I don’t want to marry Clarence Manfred.”
Mother regarded her with narrowed eyes. “Does Michael have something to do with your decision?”
She crossed her arms and studied her shoes. “Maybe.”
Her mother leaned forward. “Heidi, you’re being foolish. A man like Michael Henderson would not want a sickly wife. Clarence agreed to certain allowances for you.”
Anger churned in her stomach. “He told me the type of allowances he intends to grant me, and I won’t accept them.”
Her mother cleared her throat. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Heidi shook her head. “I do know, and I want more than what he plans to offer me.” The edges of her lips turned up, and she glanced off in the distance, heat rising to her face. “I know now what I’d be missing.”
Mother’s eyes grew large, and she grasped her throat. “Oh, Heidi, what have you done?”
****
Michael followed Clarence out the door, letting the heavy, scarred wood swing shut, drowning out the noise of the band tuning up, and conversation of those enjoying their box supper. Steam shot from the warmth of his mouth, as Michael’s breath hit the cold night air.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, Henderson?” Clarence turned to him, hands fisted at his side.
Michael leaned against the clapboard wall of the church, arms crossed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Heidi Lester is my fiancée.” Despite the dim light shining from the church hall, with his flushed red face and bulging eyes, Clarence radiated anger.
Michael needed to remain calm. This man deserved to have the hell beat out of him, but Heidi had been through enough embarrassment tonight. She didn’t need to witness the two of them rolling on the ground like a couple of bar brawlers. “So you say.”
“You’re damn right that’s what I say. As does her mother and father,” Clarence bristled. “We’re betrothed, and her parents agree. She accepted my ring. It’s done.”
Michael’s eyebrows shot upwards. “Is that right? Funny how you haven’t mentioned the one important person in this discussion. You agree, her mother agrees, and her father agrees. What about Heidi?”
Clarence shrugged. “Of course she agrees. Her parents know what’s best for her, and once she gets this nonsense out of her system, she’ll return to Oklahoma City and do her duty.”
“Her duty!” Michael pushed away from the wall. “The year is nineteen aught three, Mr. Manfred. A woman no longer marries to do her duty.” Michael brought himself up short, and smiled. He sounded like Ellie. She would be proud.
“Heidi has always done what she was told. She will honor her parents’ wishes and marry me. And you can bet I won’t wait one day past her ridiculous demand of a full month,” he snorted.
God, the man annoyed him. From what he’d seen of the Lesters, the mystery remained why they would want their beloved daughter tied to such an arrogant, pompous man. “If that’s the case, than I doubt Mr. and Mrs. Lester truly know you.”
Clarence’s lip curled. “Regardless of what your opinion is, Henderson, stay away from Heidi. She belongs to me.” He moved to grab the door, but was soon flat on his back, holding his jaw.
“You aren’t fit to clean her shoes, Manfred. I have no plans with regard to Heidi, but she certainly deserves better than you. A man whose behavior is so low he can even manage to embarrass a whore isn’t worthy of a decent woman.” He rubbed his knuckles, then placed hi
s hand on the doorknob as Clarence sat up, and continued to hold his chin, hatred spewing from his eyes.
Michael gave him a small salute. “I’ll be happy to tell Miss Lester and her parents you’ve taken ill and returned to the hotel.”
****
Early Sunday evening, Heidi sat in front of her bedroom window and watched the snow drift past. She pressed her palm to the glass, as if she could touch the soft flakes. How much fun to catch them on her tongue. What did snowflakes taste like? Never allowed to leave the house when it snowed, the mystery of the cold flurries pulled at her.
She sat up, her mouth in a circle, eyes wide. Nothing stopped her from going out in the snow now. Being her own person, she made her own decisions. Hurriedly, she pulled her boots from the bottom of her closet and tugged them on. Two sweaters under her coat would certainly keep her warm enough, along with her scarf, gloves and hat.
Excited as a small child, Heidi bundled up, and headed downstairs and out the front door. She tilted her head back, and snowflakes landed on her eyelashes. So cold. She giggled. One hit the tip of her nose, melted quickly, the remaining drop of water sliding off the edge, hitting her chin.