by Tamie Dearen
“Our family’s small.” Emily rejoined the group. “Mom and Dad were ‘only children’ and we’ve lost all our grandparents except for Mom’s father. I think maybe that’s why we’re so close. We’re all we’ve got.”
“And the Best name is dying out now, since we had two girls,” Anne added.
“I don’t know. I might just keep my maiden name. I can’t imagine a guy that I’d be willing to give up my name for,” said Charlie.
“Any guy that manages to catch you, with the fight you’ll put up, deserves to have you take his name.” Emily chuckled at her sister’s feigned indignation.
“Ha-ha, sister. The poor guys can’t even get you to pay attention to them. At least I look at them, over my shoulder, as I leave ‘em in the dust.”
“It looks like you’ve got plenty of work to do after we get Steven married,” said Gram.
This broke everyone up, and they were still laughing when a butler came to announce dinner.
The dining room was so expansive it held three, long rectangular tables. Their dinner was set up on one of the tables. As they took their places at the table, Anne noticed a fifth place setting.
“Dinner is served,” said a familiar voice.
Steven Gherring appeared, wearing an apron and carrying a soup tureen.
“You cooked dinner?” Her heart gave a leap of joy at his presence, despite all her self-warnings.
Gram answered. “Steven is a fantastic chef. And we don’t keep a cook on staff since I’m seldom here anymore.”
“What’s for dinner?” asked Charlie.
Gherring smiled. “The first course is lobster bisque.” He set the soup down and headed back to the kitchen.
“You’re not eating with us?” asked Anne. She kicked herself for sounding so eager.
“I’ll be back in a second. I just need to turn the burner down to simmer.”
When the kitchen door closed behind him, Anne turned to Gram. “When are we going to work on our plan? I didn’t know Mr. Gherring would be here.”
“Steven made me promise not to attempt to set him up with a woman, so I’ll keep my promise. However, I didn’t promise not to help you, so I’ll be your secret consultant—” Gram’s voice dropped abruptly.
“How’s the soup?” Steven strode back into the dining room.
“I love lobster bisque—it’s my all-time favorite soup. And this is the best ever. What’s the secret?” asked Emily.
“A little dry sherry,” he replied. “It’s also got Worcestershire and Tabasco. I can give you the recipe.”
“Emily loves to cook,” said Anne.
“Tell me about yourself, Emily. What do you do?” Gram asked.
“I have a master’s degree in accounting and I’ve already passed my CPA exam. I just need to work another four months and I’ll be certified.”
Charlie said, “Yep, the family genius.”
“Maybe I was just the one who actually put forth a little effort in school. Don’t let Charlie fool you, Gram. She’s just as smart as I am. But she never saw the value in studying.”
“New subject… How did you learn to cook?” Charlie asked.
“It was that or starve to death,” he laughed. “I guess I could eat out or order in every night. But cooking is a lot more challenging and a lot more satisfying. Although it’s not a lot of fun to cook for one person.”
Gram cleared her throat. “Yes, it would certainly be nice if you had someone to cook for.”
Gherring glared. “Gram, we’ve talked about this.”
“I meant, of course, you could stay out here with me.”
“Sure Gram, except you’re usually four hours away from here.”
“You could cook for Anne.”
Anne felt the heat radiating from her skin. Perhaps she could melt under the table, and no one would notice. The room was deathly silent.
Gram continued, “You do live downstairs from Steven, don’t you Anne?”
“Yes, but Mr. Gherring has to deal with me all day, Gram. In the evening I’m sure he needs a break.” She turned a hard stare at Gram. “Besides, if he was with me all the time, when would he have time to date?”
“You’re quite right, dear. That would be bad. He does need time to date. How will he ever find a wife if he doesn’t date anyone?”
“Gram! That’s quite enough of talking about me as if I’m not sitting here at the table. We’ve already had this discussion, and you promised—”
“I did promise not to attempt to set you up. But I didn’t promise not to nag you about it. There’s only one way to get me to stop nagging you. Get married.” She paused to pat her lips with her napkin. “Or I guess you can keep waiting for me to die…”
“I know, Gram. You’re not going to die before I get married. The way I see it, I’m giving you eternal life.” He looked at Charlie and Emily. “You see what I have to put up with?”
Charlie laughed, but Emily said, “I’d say you’re pretty lucky to have someone who loves you that much.”
“How can you take her side after that great dinner I bought you last night?” Gherring pretended outrage.
“I’d be more worried about the dinner tonight, Emily. He could spit in your food,” said Charlie.
Chuckles broke out all around and the mood was lifted again.
Gherring served a main course of almond-crusted salmon with garlic-mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. Dessert was chocolate mousse.
“I’ve died and gone to heaven! This meal was even better than last night’s,” said Charlie.
Gherring beamed at the praise. But Anne had been quiet throughout dinner. Her mind was swirling with confusing thoughts. Nothing made sense.
“Did you like the meal?” he asked her.
“It was amazing.” She avoided his gaze, fearing she’d be trapped by those sparkling blue eyes.
“I have a little surprise for Charlie.” Gherring stood, walking toward the door.
“What? Is it a present? What is it?” Charlie leaped to follow him.
“No, it’s not a present. It’s an experience. Come see.”
Gherring led the group outside to the garage and opened the door. Inside was a white Maserati MC12. Charlie squealed at the sight.
“I thought you might want to go for a ride.”
“Okay, she can go first, but I want a ride too,” said Emily.
Anne felt warm inside as Charlie climbed into the passenger’s seat. This was something she would never forget.
“You won’t go over the speed limit, will you?” Anne asked in her best worried-mom voice.
“Of course not. Although I’m fairly certain Maseratis have a different speed limit than the rest of the cars out there.” He chuckled as he started the engine and spun the tires in the driveway before racing to the road.
“I can’t believe he’s got a Maserati,” said Emily. “This is the best weekend ever. None of our friends will believe it. We’ve got to get pictures. I wish we didn’t have to go home tomorrow.”
“I’m going to miss you so much.” Anne gave Emily a hug.
“Why don’t you girls come back here for Thanksgiving? I’d love to have you.”
“We’ve got to take care of Grandpa at Thanksgiving, because Mom’s going to be in Paris.”
“Paris! Why are you going to Paris?”
“She’s going to Paris with this French guy named Henri who’s really crazy about her.”
“Henri? Henri DuBois?”
“You know him?” asked Anne.
“I know him. And you should avoid that man at all costs.”
“Gram,” said Anne, “he’s not as bad as you think.”
Gram’s expression was disapproving, and Anne’s heart fell.
“Please don’t be mad at me, Gram. He’s been really sweet to me and to the girls.”
“I know what he was like before. I can’t believe he’s changed that much.”
“Even Steven found out some of the stuff he thought about Henri wasn’
t true.”
“I don’t like him.”
“It’s not like I’m planning to marry him, Gram. I’m just going to visit him.”
“Humph!”
“We’re only friends, Gram. And please don’t say anything to Mr. Gherring about me going to Paris. He doesn’t know.”
“Humph!”
Emily put her hands on her hips. “Mom, maybe you should tell Mr. Gherring.”
“He’ll just read more into it. There’s no reason to get him upset.”
Emily pursed her lips in an expression that matched Gram’s, and they stood in uncomfortable silence until the Maserati returned.
Anne’s heart thudded as she waited for Gherring to get out, praying Gram would keep her secret.
Charlie climbed out of the driver’s seat. “That was a blast!”
“You let Charlie drive it?” asked Emily.
“I made the mistake of saying I would let her drive it if she knew how to drive a manual,” Gherring chuckled. “Who knew she’d actually know how?”
“And I was pretty good, wasn’t I?”
“I have to admit, you surprised me.” Gherring stretched his arms over his head.
“Steven,” said Gram, in a stern tone, “I can’t believe you let Anne associate with the likes of Henri DuBois.”
To Anne’s surprise, Gherring laughed. “Now you see what it’s like to be on the receiving end of Gram’s disapproval. Perhaps you’ll be more sympathetic in the future.”
Anne held her breath, but Gram didn’t volunteer any more information about Henri. When she glanced over, Gram lifted a white eyebrow.
And now I owe her.
“I suppose you drive a manual as well?” Gherring asked Emily.
“Of course I do, but I’d rather just enjoy the ride.”
“I think every girl should know how to drive a stick shift. All three of us drive a manual car at home,” said Anne.
Gherring shook his head. “You never cease to surprise me.”
When the Maserati disappeared again, Gram turned to Anne. “If you think Henri is so great, why don’t you want Steven to know about Paris?”
“Because he doesn’t like Henri either, and I don’t want to hurt him. But Gram, Henri was a perfect gentleman. He said a lot of things that made me feel… I don’t know… attractive again. He makes me feel special and beautiful. And when he calls me, I feel like I’m really important to him. Plus, he opened up and told me some things about how he’s been hurt—”
“That’s the real thing, Gram,” Charlie butted in. “Mom can’t stand to see anyone hurting. She just melts.” She gave her mom a hug. “But I love you for it.”
“Humph! All right, I won’t tell him. But I think you can do better than Henri DuBois.”
“I’m not looking for a new husband. I’ve had one great love in my life, and that’s enough. Just like you. Right, Gram?”
This time Gram didn’t respond.
When Emily and Gherring came back, Charlie pulled out her phone and took pictures of them in the Maserati. He asked Anne, “Did you want a ride as well?”
“No, that’s okay—”
“Come on, Mom. It’s amazing,” said Charlie.
Emily said, “Mom, if you don’t try it, you’ll never know what it feels like. You’ll probably kick yourself for wasting the chance.”
He was already climbing in the driver’s seat.
“I guess I’m going.”
Charlie leaned in the car and took a picture of Anne and Gherring inside together.
“Ready?” asked Gherring. Before Anne could answer, he stepped on the gas and sped out of the driveway. Anne couldn’t help a little squeak that came out of her mouth as she felt her back pressed into the seat. Gherring drove a short distance to a turn-off on a deserted road that wound around through the hills. As he steered the car skillfully through the twists and turns, Anne found herself with a broad smile plastered on her face. And she couldn’t stop smiling. Watching him control the powerful car, she thought of how strong he was. He handled driving as he did everything else in his life—with expert efficiency and absolute control. It made his masculine appeal even stronger.
Just for a moment she allowed herself to imagine what it would feel like to kiss Steven Gherring. Would he be soft and gentle, sweet and romantic? Or would he be strong and powerful, taking what belonged to him? Or maybe he would be subtle and teasing, drawing out her fervor until she surrendered her lips to be plundered?
“You look like you’re really enjoying this,” Gherring commented. Anne felt the blood rising in her cheeks and thanked God the light was dim. He’d caught her enjoying a bit more than a ride in a fast, powerful, sports car.
“It’s… It’s indescribable.”
“Did you want to drive?”
“No, I like watching you. I mean, I just like watching you drive. I don’t need to drive.” She blushed even deeper. Thank goodness he couldn’t tell. “So does this thing really do one-eight-five, like the song says?”
He smiled. “I’ve had her up to one-eighty, and I think she’d do two hundred on a straight course.”
“She?” Anne asked. “What’s her name?”
“Gayle.”
“Really? Why Gayle?”
“That was the name of my first true love—in fourth grade.” He laughed. “Even now, in my memories, she’s beautiful beyond imagination.”
Anne grew quiet again. “I can’t thank you enough. You’ve been amazingly generous this weekend.”
“You’re welcome. It was my pleasure.” His eyes cut her direction. “I wanted this to be a special time for all three of you.”
“It was, thanks mostly to you. You didn’t go out and buy a Maserati just so Charlie could ride in one, did you?”
He laughed. “No, that one was a lucky coincidence.”
“Still, it was very nice, and the girls really like you.”
“And do they, like their mother, freely bestow love and affection on everyone they meet?”
“What? I don’t—”
“Really? You’re going to deny this?”
“I don’t bestow on everyone, just most everyone.”
“Name one person you’ve met in New York you haven’t loved.”
Anne thought for a moment. “Jeff Murphy!” She lifted her chin high.
Gherring chuckled. “Okay, but you were even nice to him at first. The original question was about your girls, though.”
“Okay, the girls… Charlie bestows love pretty freely. But if you make her mad—watch out—she’ll never forget. Emily is very careful and not very trusting.”
Gherring nodded as if he was not surprised. “They’re lovely girls. I’d be very proud if they were my daughters.”
He drove the sports car back into the garage. Gram and the girls had returned into the house, out of the chill air.
“This was really nice,” he said. His voice was husky as he leaned toward her. “I really enjoy making you smile.” His blue eyes were hooded as he reached his left hand out to brush against her cheek. Anne closed her eyes and held her breath while her insides quaked. Then his fingers slid gently down her neck, leaving a sizzling trail in their wake.
He’s going to kiss me!
Her breaths came faster and faster, anticipating the touch of his lips on hers. Never mind that it shouldn’t happen. She didn’t have the willpower to stop him.
His hand moved slowly along her sweater-clad arm. Then she heard a click as he released her seat belt.
“Sometimes that latch can be stubborn.”
She opened her eyes to see him smiling, dimples dancing as he watched her recover from his touch.
He was teasing me! He knew what he did to her. He’d watched her squirm in her seat, let her anticipate something he had no intention of giving. She wanted to crawl under the car and hide forever. Instead she salvaged her shredded pride with anger.
“Thank you again, sir, for the ride. You have a beautiful vehicle.”
She ret
reated into the house, determined to avoid him for the rest of the evening. But Gherring made her task easy when he came inside and announced he was leaving early. No one suspected her humiliation. No one, but Gherring.
The girls gave tearful goodbyes before they left early the next morning. On her subway ride, Anne mentally prepared herself to face her boss again. Would he attempt to tease her again? Or perhaps he would apologize. The latter might be even more embarrassing. She was a nervous wreck by the time she arrived at her desk.
On her computer was a yellow sticky note from Gherring requesting she come to his office. With tension permeating her body, Anne knocked on the door.
“Open,” ordered his deep voice. She found him in conference with Jared about the Switzerland presentation.
“Ms. Best, we need to work together today on Jared’s part of the presentation. I understand he’s given you the bulk of his material for the PowerPoint. If we could get a copy of what you have so far, I was hoping you would finish his portion and then see how much of Jeff’s part you can prepare on your own.”
Gherring spoke as if nothing at all had happened between them. He didn’t act awkward in any way. Of course it had all seemed like a big joke to him, so why wouldn’t he be fine? Two could play at that game. She could be a cool cat if that’s how he was going to be.
“Yes, sir. I’ll get that for you right away. Are y’all working in here or in the conference room?”
“I think we’ll work in my office and leave the conference room for you, since Jeff’s materials are all organized in there. Are you okay working on your own?”
“Absolutely, sir. I prefer it that way.” She noted with some satisfaction the slight wince on Gherring’s face.
She sent a copy of Jared’s PowerPoint to Gherring’s computer and perused the additional material he’d given her. She estimated she could finish his portion easily in an hour, and then she would tackle Jeff’s part.
Maybe she could give her tattered pride a little boost if she could organize Jeff’s presentation without asking for Gherring’s help. He was so swamped with his other duties he didn’t have time to work with her anyway.
Since Jeff’s proposal involved a choice between acquisition and contractual cooperation, she’d have to understand the material to show which option would be optimal. Jeff’s summary claimed that because of tax consequences, the most favorable option for Gherring Inc. would be a contractual cooperation with a company formed by the merger of two existing Swiss companies.