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powder from the small marble bowl into a clean jar. As he tightened the lid, he said, “The medicine works to stop the spasms that cause wheezing.” He handed the jar to her and leaned against the counter, his arms crossed. “Treatment with Belladonna isn’t a cure, as I told you, but it will help when you have attacks.”
    Heidi nodded. “Do you think one day there will be a cure?”
    “I don’t know. I hope so, though.” He tucked a curl behind her ear that had come loose from her bun.
    What am I doing?
    He straightened and slid his hands into his pockets. “One thing I think would help you is to keep a journal.”
    “A journal?”
    “Write down your mood, what you eat, where you go. You may begin to see a pattern of when your asthma is at its worse. We already know night or very cold air is not good for you. I suspect stress may also be a factor, but if you keep a journal, knowing your daily routine may help.”

    His stomach clenched as his gaze met hers. The promise he’d made to himself still stood. After his debacle with Alice years ago, he’d decided to stay as far away from women who represented forever as he could get. Miss Heidi Lester definitely ranked among the forever women. Best to keep their relationship on an employer-employee basis. She could easily suck him into something dangerous.
    “I’ll do that.” Heidi picked up the jar and smiled.
    He breathed a sigh of relief as the front door opened, diverting his attention from her smooth skin, huge blue eyes, and pouty lips. Everything about her tempted him to wrap his hand around the back of her neck and pull her in close for a kiss.
    Clarence Manfred led the parade of his mother and an older couple. Michael took no time figuring out the woman with the gray-streaked red hair and blue eyes racing toward Heidi with her arms extended was her mother.
    “Heidi!” The woman bolted around the counter, grabbed her daughter, and hugged her close. “You scared us to death. Are you crazy coming here? Where are your things? Papa and I will see you home as quickly as possible.” She felt her forehead, then held Heidi at arm’s length, and ran her gaze over her. Next, she dragged her toward her for another hug.
    The older man glared at Michael with a frown. “I demand to know why you have allowed my daughter to work here. She is a sickly girl, and cannot possibly stand the strain of a job.”
    Michael sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He stuck his hand out toward the man. “I’m Michael Henderson.”
    The man studied his hand for a moment, then shook it. “Harold Lester.” He didn’t look too pleased to have given his name.
    “I told you she had a job.” Clarence stepped forward and attempted to disengage Heidi from her mother, but she wasn’t having any of it.

    “My poor little girl. We must pack up your things and return home before you have a breathing attack. What were you thinking?”
    “She wasn’t thinking. That’s her problem,” Mr. Lester added, his face flushed.
    Heidi glanced sideways at Michael and his jaw clenched. If ever a look said ‘please rescue me’ Heidi’s face did. Why should he involve himself in her mess? Maybe going home with her parents would be for the best. The Lesters seemed to genuinely care about her, albeit to an extreme. Then he caught the tears in her pleading eyes and he was finished.
    “All right,” he said. “I suggest everyone calm down. Miss Lester and I were about to lock up the store, so if you allow us to finish, she can join you.”
    “Sir, my daughter will not continue to work another minute. You probably are not aware, but she is not of robust health. She could have an attack any moment, and it would be your fault!” Heidi’s mother had wrapped her arm around her daughter’s shoulders and did not look as if she would let go.
    “Mrs. Lester, Mr. Lester”—Michael nodded in their direction—“I am fully aware of Heidi’s condition. We were discussing the very same thing as