Free A Prescription for Love by Callie Hutton Page B

struck her as they stepped into the street. “I hate to inconvenience you. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

    Michael shook his head and gripped her elbow. “No. It’s no trouble.”
    Heads braced against the icy wind, they hurried to the livery where his buggy and horse waited. Michael nodded at the liveryman as he helped Heidi in and handed her the heavy wool blanket from the back seat.
    She shivered as she tucked its warmth snugly around her legs. Michael climbed up, wrapped the leather reins in his large hand, and slapped the horse’s back.
    Once on the road, he shot her a look. “Did you have a nice lunch with your parents?”
    Heidi’s shoulders shook with the cold. She definitely needed to put on some weight. He resisted the urge to pull her close, share his warmth.
    “Y-y-yes I did.” Her jaw trembled as she spoke.
    “Are things a little easier with them now?”
    “S-s-somewhat. They still think I’ve c-c-contracted some type of b-b-brain fever, t-t-though.” She chuckled. “Maybe I have. I’ve n-n-never done th-th-this kind of thing b-b-before.”
    Michael sighed, battle lost. He transferred both reins to one hand, and held out the other to her. “Come here.”
    Hugging herself, her eyes met his with alarm. “W-w-what?”
    “Move closer to me. You’re shaking so hard I’m afraid you’ll tumble off the seat.”
    She slid over, barely touching him. He grunted, draped his arm around her shoulders, and tucked her in close. She sat stiff as a board.
    “Are they enjoying their stay here?”
    “Y-y-yes. They’re g-g-going to the theater tonight. They invited me, but I didn’t f-f-feel up to it.” She snuggled closer, obviously enjoying the heat. Her muscles eased, her body slackened.
    And his hardened. One part of him, anyway. Her rosewater scent drifted toward him, and a few soft curls tickled his jaw as she swayed when the buggy hit small holes in the road. Somehow she felt right in his arms. A perfect fit.

    Michael inwardly groaned when he thought about another way she would fit, naked, and writhing underneath him. Her soft, sweet breath hitching, slender arms holding him close as she found her release and cried his name.
    Damn. I’m treading into dangerous territory here.
    “How are your parents getting around while visiting?” he asked. Maybe polite discourse would divert blood back to his brain.
    “A rented buggy now and then.”
    He blew out a breath of relief when Mrs. Wilson’s house came into view. Soft lights shone through the window, a beacon welcoming its inhabitants after a long day.
    Heidi shifted and straightened her coat and scarf. “Thank you for the ride. I appreciate it.”
    “I’m only too glad to do it. I can’t have my employee showing up sick for work.” He winked at her.
    She folded the blanket into a neat square as he stopped the buggy, then climbed down to help her out.
    They proceeded up the steps to the porch. He squeezed her hand. “Don’t forget tomorrow is the birthday supper at my aunt and uncle’s house.”
    “No, I remember. I’m looking forward to meeting your family. Especially Ellie.”
    He slowly raised his hand to cup her cheek, then quickly drew it back. “Well, good night, then. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Heidi nodded and entered the house.
    Michael shivered. All of a sudden he felt very cold.
    He headed for home and fixed a simple supper of a cold beef sandwich and coffee. Restlessness took over once he finished his meal. Quite some time had passed since he’d visited the woman he’d had an arrangement with. But when he considered being intimate with a woman, only Heidi’s face rose before him. How would she look in the throes of passion? Her face flushed, her eyes darkened. Would she scream with her release, or sigh softly, a whisper between her plump lips?

    She’s a betrothed woman . Although in the last few days he’d noticed the absence of her engagement ring.
    He picked up a book on the Revolutionary War he’d started the