Michael touched Heidi’s hand briefly. “Why don’t you start on the bank deposit, and I’ll wait on our customer.”
Clarence dropped a pad of paper and pencil on the counter. “No, don’t leave yet, Heidi. I want to invite you to dinner tomorrow.”
“No,” Michael growled.
Her erstwhile fiance’s eyebrows rose. “Sorry, Henderson, I invited Heidi. Not you.” His gaze moved to her.
“Thanks anyway, but I don’t think so, Clarence.”
He sighed and shook his head. “You really should, Heidi. Our dinner is very important to your future.”
She regarded him curiously, chewing her lip.
“Heidi’s not going anywhere with you. Buy your supplies and leave.”
“Wait,” Heidi said. “All right. I’ll go to dinner with you.” She touched Michael on his arm, and glanced at him. “We need to get this settled.”
Michael shook his head, and rang up the sale, then handed the items to Clarence.
He took them from Michael’s hand and turned to Heidi. “See you tomorrow at six. Right here.” Chuckling, he left the store, snapping the door shut.
“Why did you agree to meet him?” Michael ran his fingers up and down Heidi’s arm.
“Because I want to be done with him once and for all. I’ll tell him I won’t marry him, no matter what my parents say. I’ll give him his ring back, and tell him I want him gone from my life.”
“Our life.” Michael said as he cupped her chin.
Heidi’s heart soared. He did love her. One last visit with Clarence, and she and Michael could plan their future. She’d never been so happy in her life.
Chapter Twenty
Hand in hand, Michael and Heidi walked up the steps to Mrs. Wilson’s house. When they arrived at the door, he rested his hands on her shoulders, then slid his fingers to link them behind her neck. “Once you have everything straightened out with Clarence tomorrow, we need to have a long talk.”
“My, you look so serious.” Her lips curved into a slight smile.
He smiled back. Something he’d been doing a lot lately. He loved her, and finally found the freedom to feel it, and acknowledge it. His years of holding himself back, of denying the happiness to be had with a lover, and a family of his own, was over. As soon as Manfred got on the train tomorrow, Michael would propose to Heidi, and announce his plans to the family. And the world. In fact, he wanted to run down the street, shouting the news.
“No. I’m not feeling serious. Far from it.” He kissed her briefly, and leaned back. “I want to do so much more, but here is not the best place to remove your clothes and have my way with you.”
Heidi blushed a deep red, and he loved it. Loved everything about her. Her hair, her eyes, her chin-hell-even her fingernails. Heidi Lester was perfect. Perfect for him.
He sighed and dropped his hands. “If I don’t leave now, we’ll scandalize the neighbors.”
Heidi giggled. “I agree.” She paused for a moment. “Good night.”
“Good night, sweetheart. I’ll see you in the morning.” He touched her cheek briefly.
Once she closed the door, he headed for his buggy, whistling the entire way home.
****
Heidi glanced up as she worked on the day’s bank deposit, and met the glint in Clarence’s eyes. Her stomach clenched. He looked happy. Very happy. As if he’d placed a large wager and just discovered he’d won. Something was horribly wrong.
“Are you ready, my dear?” He picked invisible lint from his coat.
“In just a few minutes.” She returned to her work. Why were her hands shaking? All of a sudden she had an overwhelming sense of loss. Of something gone terribly wrong. She took a deep breath, and continued with the deposit. Most likely only nerves troubling her; tonight she would be very emphatic about breaking her engagement. She reached into the pocket of her dress and fondled the engagement ring she would return to him.
Clarence strolled around the store while she worked, touching things, smirking in Michael’s direction every once in a while. The sense of unease in her stomach grew.