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holding her unruly red curls off her face, and stared in the mirror. She pinched her cheeks to add some color, and then bit her lips. Hurrying from her bedroom, she chided herself. Michael didn’t care what she looked like. She felt grateful he kept her on. Between her asthma and the interruptions yesterday from Clarence and his mother, he could have easily dismissed her.
    Mrs. Wilson had given her permission to use her kitchen, where she’d made coffee and oatmeal with bits of raisins and brown sugar. Right here sat the proper breakfast she’d promised Michael. Even though her stomach fluttered with excitement, making her wonder if she could even eat, she’d made enough so they could share breakfast. Her face flushed. Had she been too forward? Would he think badly of her? Before she could talk herself out of it, she screwed the lids on the jars with the coffee and oatmeal. Then she wrapped a tea towel around each one to keep them warm, tucked them carefully into her shopping bag, and headed to the door.
    Bright sunlight warmed the cold, crisp air. She’d never been to Guthrie before her adventure. In fact, she hadn’t been anywhere. Mother and Papa always told her travel would strain her lungs. Now as she hurried to work clutching her precious bundle, she admired the new buildings and numerous businesses. As she passed the brand new library, she promised herself to obtain a library card—her very own, not Mother’s—and borrow some books to read in the evenings.

    She hurried to the rear door of the store, entered the kitchen area, then poked her head around the curtain.
    “Good morning.” Michael waved in her direction as he removed the dustcovers from the counters.
    Heidi wanted to surprise him, so after returning the greeting, she let the curtain float closed. She quickly hung her coat and scarf, then hunted through the cabinet above the icebox for two bowls and two cups.
    Once she poured the coffee and dished out breakfast, she ran her sweaty palms down the front of her dress and searched for Michael.
    “I have a surprise for you.” The excitement affected her breathing, so she slowed her steps as she headed toward him.
    Michael smiled. “What surprise?”
    “I made breakfast.” Her heart beat so fast, he must have heard it.
    “You did?” His eyes sparkled.
    She nodded and ran her tongue around her dry lips.
    “Well, let’s have breakfast.” He held his arm out, and she giggled as she placed her arm in his. Feeling much better at his reaction, she took a deep breath as he escorted her to the back area.
    “I made oatmeal and coffee.” She waved her hand over the table, willing her heart to slow down.
    He grinned and pulled out her chair, then took his own.
    “I made the coffee differently than you do. Tell me if you like it.” She twisted her hands in her lap as he took a sip.
    “Delicious,” he said after he took a large swallow. “The best coffee I’ve ever had.”
    For the most bizarre reason, Heidi felt tears rush to her eyes. Michael had made her feel good about herself more times in the last two days than everyone else in her entire life.
    He took a mouthful of the oatmeal and moaned. “This is wonderful. You are truly a good cook.”

    She continued to stare at him until he pointed at her bowl with his spoon. “You need to eat, too.”
    “Oh, yes. Of course.” Heat rose to her face. The man seemed able to fluster her so easily.
    Later that afternoon, Michael called Heidi over to where he worked on prescriptions. With the store empty, it was a good time to discuss her asthma.
    “I spoke with Dr. Kane last evening. He agreed Belladonna would be a good treatment for you.”
    “You mentioned that before. Exactly what is Belladonna?”
    “A plant. I’m fixing a mixture for you, and when you have an asthma attack, deposit a pinch into a bowl of boiling water, much as I did the other night, and inhale the fumes.”
    “How does Belladonna work?”
    Michael tapped out the yellowish-brown