Free A Prescription for Love by Callie Hutton

dots appeared on her cheeks and her blue eyes grew deeper as she fingered the curls off her forehead. Before his brain could kick in and scream no , he leaned forward and, putting his hand on the back of her neck, pulled her to him. She closed her eyes as he covered her lips, softly at first, and then deeper when she sighed into his mouth. The slight scent of Belladonna drifted over him, along with her own special fragrance of rosewater and Heidi. Her lips were soft and full, sweet, and salty from her tears. He tugged her closer, and she slid her hands up his chest to circle his neck. The warmth of her body heated him, and stirred his manhood.
    Michael opened his eyes and broke from her. Immediately he felt cold, as if the sun had dipped behind a cloud. His palm cupped her cheek. “Do you want an apology?”
    “No.” She shook her head and leaned against the seat.
    He took up the reins and continued on. What had he done? The poor woman had just recovered from a serious asthma attack, dealt with overwrought emotions, and he’d kissed her? He glanced sideways. If the kiss had affected her in a negative way, she showed no signs of it. She sat erect, her hands resting in her lap, a slight smile on her lips. No, no signs of an adverse reaction at all.
    “Have you been keeping your journal?” Michael asked, glancing at her.

    She smiled brightly. “Every day. I write how I feel, what I eat, and where I am.”
    “What did you have for lunch at the coffee house?”
    “An egg salad sandwich and tea. Nothing unusual, and certainly nothing I haven’t had before.”
    He thought for a few minutes, and then asked the question he figured he already knew the answer to. “What were you talking about with your parents when your asthma attack started?”
    Heidi’s expression dimmed and she mumbled to her lap. “Papa insisted I return home.”
    “Stress can trigger an attack.”
    She shrugged her shoulders and gazed at the passing houses.
    Although still daytime, the gloomy weather made the soft lights from Mrs. Wilson’s parlor glow in the dimness as the buggy stopped in front of the house. Michael wrapped the reins around the dash rail and hopped down. He gripped Heidi’s slim waist as he lifted, and then set her on her feet. He extended his arm, which she took before climbing the stairs.
    Once on the porch, Michael touched her arm to stop her. “Tomorrow I’ll inform any visitors you have they are only welcome in the store to purchase something. I don’t mean to cause insult, but I won’t have you upset. You need to feel secure at your job, and I will see to it.”
    “Thank you, Michael.”
    Still reacting to the kiss, he could feel the sweat beading on his upper lip. “You’re welcome. Get some rest.” He touched her cheek briefly, then waited until she entered the house and closed the door before he hurried down the steps to return to work.
    By six o’clock, he had his key in hand to lock up the store and leave. The afternoon had been difficult with Heidi out. The number of people who asked after her amazed him. She’d only been with him a short time, but she’d already made an impression. He had young David mix up sodas after he finished his deliveries, which freed him to prepare prescriptions. Now, with sore feet and a growling stomach, he grabbed his coat and locked up.

    He welcomed the numbness in his brain as he traveled the dark streets to his home. His comfortable house came into view, the only shadowy structure on the block. He drove the buggy into the carriage house and took care of the horse before entering through the back door.
    Familiar objects came into view as he moved from lamp to lamp to touch the wicks with a match. The dark blue sofa, with its embroidered pillows, compliments of his sister, Rachel, offered comfort to the tired body. Two overstuffed chairs sat in front of the fireplace, as if waiting for him to select a wife and settle there each evening. Something he’d promised himself years