Expecting another eruption, he surprised her by his lack of reaction.
“Michael.” He mumbled. “I have grown to hate the very name.”
Heidi sat, twisting her fingers, and watched her papa slumped in his chair, eyes closed.
“I’m ready.” Mrs. Lester carried a small suitcase. She walked up to father and daughter, and kissed Mr. Lester on the top of his head. “Good night, dear.”
Then she sailed out the front door, head held high.
“I’m sorry,” Heidi muttered in Papa’s direction as she followed her mother.
Chapter Eighteen
“My parents have a date?” Heidi grinned at Michael as they left the store a few days after Mrs. Lester had assumed his housekeeping duties.
“So your mother said. She told me she would fix supper and leave it for me because she and your papa were going on a date.”
Heidi laughed, the sound rippling over him, affecting him like one of his drugs. Today she’d surrendered the usual drab gray work dress for a blue broadcloth, with white collar and cuffs, that matched her eyes exactly. Her riotous blonde curls fell softly on her forehead, and against her flushed cheek. His eyes focused on the plump, red lips that he wanted to cover with his own.
“You know, I think Mother may be enjoying this little bit of rebellion for more than one reason. I can’t remember the last time Papa took Mother out for an evening, just the two of them. This may turn out to be a very good thing.” She glanced at him, her smile bright, eyes dancing.
“Why don’t you come to my house and have supper with me?” His voice came out raspy, as he attempted to control his raging emotions. When she hesitated, he hurried on, “I don’t want to eat alone, and if I know your mother, she’s left me enough to feed the whole town.”
“All right.” Heidi said, and took his offered arm.
The end of winter neared, evident in the sun still resting on the horizon, like a large child’s balloon. The cool air felt good on his skin as they strolled along. He’d left his buggy at home, since the weather had been warmer than usual and would continue for the next few days.
By his calculation, not much time remained in Heidi’s bartered-for month. She hadn’t mentioned anything about leaving, and for the first time in years, Michael felt his determination to spend his life alone start to slip. He could see her on his arm, in his house, in his bed. What would his life be like if he pushed aside his fears, and planned a future? One with a warm, secure home, with children-with Heidi?
The house smelled of fresh baked bread and some kind of stew. His stomach grumbled as he ridded himself of his coat, and took Heidi’s. They entered the kitchen, and worked as a team, as if they’d readied dinner together every day for years.
Heidi whipped an apron around her waist from the hook by the door, while Michael pulled out bowls, plates, cups and silverware. He set the table as Heidi fetched butter, and sliced the bread. After dishing up two helpings of beef stew, they both sat at the same time, grinning at each other, as they settled napkins on their laps. They bowed their heads in tandem as Michael said a quick prayer.
“Your mother is as good a cook as her daughter,” Michael said, his eyes alight with mirth.
Heidi swallowed, and wiped her mouth. “It’s amazing since she’s had a cook for years.”
“It seems your father is a successful businessman.”
Heidi nodded. “He owns a few companies, mostly factories. He also has interests in a railroad, and I think a lumber mill, but not in Oklahoma. Oh, and he has a silver mine in Nevada, but I’m not sure if it’s producing much anymore.” She chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread.
They ate in silence for a while, until Michael pushed his empty bowl away, and leaned back in his chair. “Where does Clarence fit?”
She shrugged. “He works for Papa.”
Michael raised his eyebrows. “Really? You told me a while ago his mother and your parents have known each other for years, but I didn’t realize he worked for your father.”
Heidi leaned her elbows on the table. “Yes. He started in one of his factories, but the last couple of years, Papa has been teaching Clarence different things about all of his businesses.”
For the first time, parts of the puzzle fit together. Manfred’s almost obsession with marrying Heidi, when she’d told him, as well as her parents, she didn’t want to marry him. The few times he’d seen Clarence and Heidi together, he didn’t leave with a feeling of genuine affection on the man’s part. He treated Heidi more as a possession than someone he cared for, and wanted to build a life with.
Mr. Lester taking Clarence under his wing, so to say, spoke loudly. Did Manfred think his position in Lester’s businesses would improve when he married the daughter? In fact, now that he gave the idea some thought, that seemed certain.
Clarence’s insistence he and Heidi’s parents had agreed to the marriage, had made him curious at the time, but now made perfect sense. Michael would bet the Lesters offered some type of inducement to her fiancé. As if Heidi needed anything to induce someone to marry her! She was beautiful, sweet, loving, funny, and smart. And the list could continue.
So what are you waiting for?
****