Read Online A Prescription for Love by Callie Hutton - Free Book Online
Authors: Callie Hutton
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would cripple the strongest woman. He returned to his work and continued to dwell on Heidi Lester. Hadn’t his experience with Alice taught him anything? His best interests lay in distancing himself from Heidi as much as possible.
Therein, the problem. Every day, thoughts of his clerk consumed him. He couldn’t erase her from his mind. Her scent, her smile, her giggle, the way her hips swayed when she moved across the floor. The red curls forever escaping her bun. Images that danced before him even in his sleep.
He had no idea what had possessed him to offer an introduction to Ellie. His sister could be downright scary at times. The baby of the family, it seemed she wanted to prove she had truly grown up. He hoped she would go easy on Heidi. Ellie held the opinion women did not need men in any capacity and had planned her life to exclude them.
What a family he’d come from. Although he and his siblings all had the wonderful example of Tori and Jesse’s marriage, he remained a confirmed bachelor. Ellie had no use for men, and his brother, Hunter, spent his time away from home, tracking down criminals. The only once-happily married one, his sister, Rachel, had lost her husband to pneumonia several years ago and had placed her heart firmly on the shelf as she raised her son.
The next time he checked his watch, noon had arrived. On the dot of twelve, the three musketeers, as he’d begun to think of them, returned to the store. Flushed, most likely with nerves, Heidi retrieved her coat from the back room and, appearing as though she marched to the gallows, left with them. She gave Michael a slight wave as she went out the door.
He grabbed his coat and after locking the store, headed toward the coffee shop. Unfortunately, Heidi and her family were seated at a table near the front window when he arrived. He nodded briefly in their direction and took a seat at the counter.
As he passed their table, Heidi’s father leaned forward, speaking earnestly with her as he patted his wife’s hand. Michael’s stomach tightened even though they directed none of their angst at him.
“What can I get ya?” Honey, the waitress who’d been at the coffee shop for years, distracted him, notebook pad and pencil in hand.
He smiled at the older woman. No matter the day, she always had a smile for everyone. “What looks good?”
“Everything.” She grinned. “Do you realize, Mr. Henderson, you ask that question every day, and every day I give you the same answer?”
“I enjoy the sound of your voice.” He winked. “All right, since I must decide, I’ll have the chicken and noodles. And tea.”
“Good choice.” She continued to write as she proceeded down the counter. She returned shortly and deposited a glass of tea in front of him, then went into the kitchen.
The sound of silverware clinking and the buzz of conversation around him blocked out whatever conversation Heidi and her family had. He took a sip of the tea, the cool liquid easing his dry throat.
He struck up a conversation with Ed Barker, the hardware store owner, who bemoaned the unreliability of his suppliers. Halfway through his bowl of chicken and noodles, a commotion occurred behind them.
“Someone help, my daughter needs help.” Mrs. Lester’s voice rose above the murmurs of the crowd.
Michael whirled about and immediately left his seat.
Heidi’s fingers gripped the edge of the table as she gasped for breath. Her face had lost all color and tears tracked down her cheeks. Mrs. Lester fluttered her hands, casting a glance around the room. Mr. Lester stood and demanded in a loud voice that someone send for a doctor, while Mrs. Manfred fanned Heidi with her handkerchief.
Michael elbowed his way into the group, then lifted Heidi in his arms and started across the room. She grasped the lapels of his jacket and searched his face frantically. Michael spoke soothingly. “Heidi, relax. Calm down. Take slow, even breaths.”
“Where are you taking my
Therein, the problem. Every day, thoughts of his clerk consumed him. He couldn’t erase her from his mind. Her scent, her smile, her giggle, the way her hips swayed when she moved across the floor. The red curls forever escaping her bun. Images that danced before him even in his sleep.
He had no idea what had possessed him to offer an introduction to Ellie. His sister could be downright scary at times. The baby of the family, it seemed she wanted to prove she had truly grown up. He hoped she would go easy on Heidi. Ellie held the opinion women did not need men in any capacity and had planned her life to exclude them.
What a family he’d come from. Although he and his siblings all had the wonderful example of Tori and Jesse’s marriage, he remained a confirmed bachelor. Ellie had no use for men, and his brother, Hunter, spent his time away from home, tracking down criminals. The only once-happily married one, his sister, Rachel, had lost her husband to pneumonia several years ago and had placed her heart firmly on the shelf as she raised her son.
The next time he checked his watch, noon had arrived. On the dot of twelve, the three musketeers, as he’d begun to think of them, returned to the store. Flushed, most likely with nerves, Heidi retrieved her coat from the back room and, appearing as though she marched to the gallows, left with them. She gave Michael a slight wave as she went out the door.
He grabbed his coat and after locking the store, headed toward the coffee shop. Unfortunately, Heidi and her family were seated at a table near the front window when he arrived. He nodded briefly in their direction and took a seat at the counter.
As he passed their table, Heidi’s father leaned forward, speaking earnestly with her as he patted his wife’s hand. Michael’s stomach tightened even though they directed none of their angst at him.
“What can I get ya?” Honey, the waitress who’d been at the coffee shop for years, distracted him, notebook pad and pencil in hand.
He smiled at the older woman. No matter the day, she always had a smile for everyone. “What looks good?”
“Everything.” She grinned. “Do you realize, Mr. Henderson, you ask that question every day, and every day I give you the same answer?”
“I enjoy the sound of your voice.” He winked. “All right, since I must decide, I’ll have the chicken and noodles. And tea.”
“Good choice.” She continued to write as she proceeded down the counter. She returned shortly and deposited a glass of tea in front of him, then went into the kitchen.
The sound of silverware clinking and the buzz of conversation around him blocked out whatever conversation Heidi and her family had. He took a sip of the tea, the cool liquid easing his dry throat.
He struck up a conversation with Ed Barker, the hardware store owner, who bemoaned the unreliability of his suppliers. Halfway through his bowl of chicken and noodles, a commotion occurred behind them.
“Someone help, my daughter needs help.” Mrs. Lester’s voice rose above the murmurs of the crowd.
Michael whirled about and immediately left his seat.
Heidi’s fingers gripped the edge of the table as she gasped for breath. Her face had lost all color and tears tracked down her cheeks. Mrs. Lester fluttered her hands, casting a glance around the room. Mr. Lester stood and demanded in a loud voice that someone send for a doctor, while Mrs. Manfred fanned Heidi with her handkerchief.
Michael elbowed his way into the group, then lifted Heidi in his arms and started across the room. She grasped the lapels of his jacket and searched his face frantically. Michael spoke soothingly. “Heidi, relax. Calm down. Take slow, even breaths.”
“Where are you taking my
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