A Prescription for Love by Callie Hutton Page B

boarding house. His sister had reminded Heidi of her promise to attend a Women’s Rights meeting Tuesday night. While having a friend would be good for Heidi, why did that friend have to be his sister?

    Because you introduced them, maybe?
    Bringing Heidi to his family’s home had been a mistake. He’d noticed the glances exchanged between his sisters and Tori. He’d made it abundantly clear for years he had no intention of ever getting involved with a woman again. Truth be known, they had every right to speculate. He’d never brought a woman to his family home since he’d broken up with Alice years ago.
    Heidi fit so well in his family circle. Everyone loved her—no surprise there—and she came across more calm and happy than he’d ever seen her. She sat next to him in the buggy, her hands relaxed in her lap. A slight smile graced her face, a picture of tranquility. He itched to stop the buggy, drag her over to him, and kiss her senseless.
    As if she knew his thoughts, she peered at him. “You have a wonderful family.”
    He grinned. “They were all on their best behavior today. We’re the same as any other family. We fight, we tease, but when the chips are down, we all stick together.”
    “It must be nice to have brothers and sisters. And all those cousins.” Her eyes sparkled as she continued. “And your Aunt Tori and Uncle Jesse. They are so perfect together.”
    “They weren’t always.”
    “What do you mean?” she asked.
    “At one time, back when they were first married, we all thought they would divorce.”
    “Really?” Although rare, divorce did occur on occasion, although considered shameful to most people. “That doesn’t seem possible. I’ve never seen two people more in love.”
    “It was a long time ago. I consider them very special people.”
    “Your whole family is very special. You have no idea how lucky you are.”
    He eased the buggy up in front of Mrs. Wilson’s house. All the tightly packed houses on this street were so different from the area they’d left behind. Small but comfortable residences, they were well kept and glowed with soft light while families talked and rested together.

    Visions of his own house, now dark and cold with no one there to welcome him, sent a shiver down his spine. Then the image of Heidi, with an apron on, a stirring spoon in her hand, smiling as he entered the front door jolted him. The vision seemed so right.
    Her clear blue eyes would sparkle as she leaned in for his kiss. She would drop the spoon on the table and her delicate fingers would slide through his hair as he dragged her close. Then after supper, they would walk arm-in-arm up the stairs to the bedroom. Once there, he would remove her clothes, slowly, piece by piece, relishing in her wondrous body. He would place his lips—
    “Michael?” Heidi’s voice pulled him from his musings.
    He turned, surprised to see her sitting next to him. Why wasn’t she waiting for him at home? “I’m sorry, I was woolgathering.”
    She chuckled. “I do plenty of that myself at times. I wanted to thank you again for allowing me to share your family’s birthday celebration.”
    He hopped from the buggy and lifted her down. “I’m glad you came.” He grinned. “I don’t know how happy I am to have Ellie take you under her wing, though.”
    “I really like Ellie. And your sister, Rachel, too. And your Aunt Tori, and . . .”
    He tapped her nose with his finger. “I get the idea.”
    She stared at his face. “Does it hurt?” Slowly her fingers came up and traced the bruise on his jaw, then the cut on his lip.
    “No.” He hardly recognized his voice.
    “Are you going to tell me how you got your injuries?”
    “No.”
    “Why not?” she whispered.
    Instead of answering, he tugged down her scarf and slowly lowered his head, until his lips were on hers. He cupped her face with his hands and took possession of her mouth. As his tongue slid along the line of her lips, she opened and her quiet