A Prescription for Love by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online Page B

her knight in shining armor. But until Michael, no one had ever come between her and her parents’ dictates before, and she cherished that. Clarence had always sided with them, enforcing their restrictions, and constantly reminding her of her shortcomings.
    Michael peered at her over the white and black menu. “What looks good to you?”
    “Everything.”
    He raised his eyebrows. “Good. You need to add a few pounds.”
    Was he criticizing her? Or had she become too sensitive? The sparkle in his eyes told her whatever he meant, he didn’t disapprove of her. She sighed with relief. Then chastised herself for depending too much on other’s opinions. First her parents, then Clarence, and now Michael. She had to learn to be her own person.
    “Good evening. My name is Miss Madeline, and I will serve you tonight. Have you decided what you want?” The young waitress with wavy brown hair tucked into a hairnet-covered bun smiled as she spoke to them.
    “Heidi?” Michael glanced in her direction.
    “I’ll have the lamb stew, please. The dish sounds wonderful. And a glass of milk.”
    The girl wrote on her pad. “That’s a good choice. I had a bit of the stew myself for supper.” She glanced in Michael’s direction. “And you, sir?”

    “I’ll have the same thing. Miss Lester is right, it does sound wonderful.”
    “Coming right up.” Miss Madeline left them with a smile and spoke to two gentlemen as she picked up a few dirty dishes on her way to the kitchen.
    Heidi took in the flowered wallpaper, polished hard wood floors, and long counter with patrons enjoying their meals. “I wonder what it’s like to work here?”
    “I think it’s a pretty hard job,” Michael answered. “The girls labor long hours, and are on their feet the whole time, carrying heavy dishes. But I understand the waitresses earn good money and most of them end up finding husbands.”
    “How do you know so much about it?” Heidi nodded at the waitress who’d returned with two glasses of cold milk.
    “My sister has a couple of friends who work here. In fact, you should meet my sister, Ellie. She’s a force to be reckoned with. She attends Women’s Rights meetings.” He chuckled.
    “Women’s Rights?” Heidi’s eyes grew wide. “What’s that?”
    Michael threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, you should meet my sister. She would certainly set you straight about women taking care of themselves.”
    “I’m taking care of myself.”
    Michael laid his hand over hers. “Yes. You’re making a good start.”
    Heat shot from where his warm hand rested on hers. Her heart sped up and a knot rose in her throat. How could this man’s touch affect her so? Her eyes searched his. A strange, faint burning in his eyes held her still, as if he felt something, too. He dragged his hand away as the waitress set bowls of stew and large slices of bread in front of them. Heidi shivered with a chill the absence of his hand created.
    Michael cleared his throat and dug into the fragrant stew.

    Heidi chewed thoughtfully as her heart calmed. She turned her thoughts to women’s rights. What a strange idea. She would like to meet this sister of his. A woman who knew how to take care of herself. Imagine.
    “Does your sister live in Guthrie?”
    “She rents a room in a boarding house here in town. It’s a short walk to the high school where she teaches history.” He shook his head and grinned. “She’s a character.” Then he sat back and regarded her. “I’ll tell you what. Saturday Tori and Uncle Jesse are celebrating their oldest son, Paul’s, birthday. I’ve been invited to supper and I’d like you to come along, if you want to.”
    “Your family?” Her stomach clenched. Meet an entire group of new people? What would they think of her? How would they feel about her being with Michael? But the thought of meeting his sister, who believed women should have ‘rights,’ intrigued her. She’d never met anyone like that.
    “Would your aunt