A Prescription for Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

the kitchen as they left their table, then giggled at the waitress’s raised eyebrows as her handsome boss escorted her out the door.

    Michael attempted to ignore the happy, warm feelings coursing through him with Heidi at his side. He laughed inwardly at her insistence in paying for her own lunch. Perhaps by encouraging her to keep her job and seek treatment for her asthma, he may have created a monster. The little bit of support he’d given her seemed to strengthen her independence. Again, he warned himself to stay out of her affairs. If she wanted to remain engaged to a man she didn’t wish to marry, that didn’t concern him.
    Despite the fact the man is a half-wit.
    Because they returned late from lunch, several customers waited as he and Heidi turned the corner. He hurried to unlock the door and let them in. Two young women headed to the hair products counter, giggling, their heads close together. Heidi immediately hung up her coat and took her place behind the counter, tying an apron around her slender waist. Soon several more customers arrived, and he got caught up in mixing prescriptions.
    The afternoon passed quickly enough. From time to time he caught Heidi mixing sodas behind the fountain or wrapping packages for customers. She smiled as she made change and wished everyone a good day. When there were no customers to deal with, she kept herself busy arranging shelves. When she would hurry past where he mixed medicines, he’d catch a whiff of her rose scent. They chatted occasionally, but most times worked in companionable silence.
    About an hour before closing time, Michael’s head jerked at the sound of Heidi’s sharp intake of breath. As expected, Mrs. Manfred waddled through the door, stopping directly in front of where Heidi worked behind the counter. Her hands fumbled with the packages of hairpins she’d arranged earlier. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Manfred.”

    “Heidi, dear. I had to come and check on you. How is your breathing?”
    “Fine.” She kept her head down, but the quick rise and fall of her chest spoke of her agitation.
    Look her in the eye, Heidi. She can’t hurt you.
    “You’ll be happy to know Clarence has notified your parents by wire and they will be arriving tomorrow to take you home.”
    Heidi jerked her head up, face flushed. “I don’t intend to return home.”
    The woman reached across the packages of hair goods and patted her hand. “Of course you do. You’ve shown us all you’re capable of taking care of yourself, so now you need to go home and prepare for your wedding. Clarence is quite anxious to make you his wife. He’ll take good care of you, so there will never be a need for you to work.”
    “No.” She pulled her hand away, brow creased in frustration. “I want to stay here and work. Mr. Henderson needs me.”
    Mrs. Manfred shot a look of pure hatred at Michael. He watched her from under his eyelashes, appearing to mix prescriptions.
    “I’m sure Mr. Henderson can find someone else, Heidi.”
    “No.” The word came out breathless and Michael stopped pretending to work and glared in Mrs. Manfred’s direction.
    “See, my dear. Your breathing is already giving you trouble.”
    “No . . . it’s . . . not.” Heidi clearly had difficulty getting her words out.
    Michael left his place and joined her at the counter. “Mrs. Manfred, may I please ask you to leave my employee alone. She has work to do.”
    The older woman sniffed and drew herself up. “She won’t be your employee for long, Mr. Henderson. Miss Lester will be marrying my son very shortly.”

    “So you say. But for now I wish you a good day, ma’am.” He faced Heidi. “Miss Lester, it’s time for your afternoon break.” He placed his hand on her lower back and nudged her toward the rear of the store. “Take shallow breaths and relax,” he mumbled into her ear.
    “You may think you’ve dismissed me, young man. But I will be back!” the older woman shouted as she left the store.
    What