A Prescription for Love Read Free Page B

until, tied in knots over the whole thing, he sought out his Uncle Jesse, who’d talked some sense into him.
    Enough time had passed so her betrayal no longer pained him, but the incident had left a scar around his heart. Never again would he allow a woman to be in a position to hurt him. Over the years, his few dates were casual, and he took care of his needs with a very special lady who had no desire for a permanent relationship either. But he had to be careful with Miss Lester. Her deep blue eyes, golden red hair, and sensuous lips could chisel away at his determination.

    Heidi dragged her clothes off and hung them in the closet next to her bed. Mr. Henderson had done more for her asthma tonight than the doctor she’d seen all her life. Dr. Wells and her parents had been alike, just patting her on the head, telling her to relax and not to strain herself. And Mr. Henderson knew people with asthma who worked every day!
    After all the trouble tonight, he still wanted her to work for him. When she thought back to Mr. Henderson’s gentle touches when he soothed her, a tingle began in her stomach and raced to her heart, causing it to thump. His warm hand as he rubbed circles on her back had helped a great deal to relax her.
    Besides her papa, no other man had ever gotten physically close to her except her fiancé, Clarence. Although a pleasant man, and fairly good-looking, Clarence didn’t hide the fact that as a future wife, he found her lacking. Which left her wondering why he wanted to marry her since he could certainly attract any woman he wanted.
    Due to her illness, she’d been subjected to her parents’ coddling for years, and apparently Clarence intended to be the same type of a husband. Even to the extent of staying away from her bed. If she married him, she would continue with a life of nothing. No love, no family, no independence.
    The night he’d proposed, he outlined his plans. Their marriage would be in name only because her delicate nature didn’t allow for a husband’s attentions. And he assured her any of his associations with other women to take care of his needs would be done with the utmost discretion. Additionally, his mother would reside with them since Heidi would need assistance.
    Too stunned to even react to the strange proposal, she’d nodded her head, accepted his kiss on the cheek, and turned to her parents who sat on the sofa across the room. Both glowed with happiness. She’d pleaded a headache and returned to her room. More than an hour had passed before she heard Clarence run down the front steps and drive off in his carriage.

    Shaking the memories from her mind, she tied the pink ribbon at the bodice of her nightgown, then crawled into bed. The breathing attacks sapped her energy and she wanted to be fresh tomorrow. The first day on her job!
    Michael checked his pocket watch as he strolled up to the store. Eight forty-five, and Miss Lester waited for him. She seemed much improved since last he’d seen her.
    “Good morning, Miss Lester. Are you feeling better?” He nodded in her direction as he unlocked the front door.
    “Yes, much better. Thank you for your help last night.” She followed him in, all the way to the back room.
    “I usually enter through the rear door in the mornings. I’ll give you a key should you get here before me. I’d prefer you didn’t wait outside in the cold.” Michael took her coat and hung hers alongside his on hooks along the wall. “I usually have a light breakfast here, would you care to join me?”
    “No, thank you. Truthfully, I’m a bit nervous, so I don’t think I could eat.” She wiped her palms down the front of her dress.
    “You need to watch yourself. Skipping meals is not a good idea.” Michael smiled, then stared in disbelief as tears filled her big blue eyes.
    “Please, Mr. Henderson. I can take care of myself.” Her delicate chin quivered as she regarded him.
    Something about this woman touched him in a place long dead. He