by Tamie Dearen
“It’s… It’s indescribable.”
“Did you want to drive?”
“No, I like watching you. Uhmm, 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-eighty-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?”
“Well, 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. “Well, 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 moved has hand 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 knew! He knew what he did to her. He was playing with her emotions. He’d enjoyed watching her squirm in her seat, wishing for something more—something that would never be. Overwhelming embarrassment soon gave way to anger.
“Thank you again, sir, for the ride. You have a beautiful vehicle.”
She slipped from the car and escaped from the garage.
*****
“I can’t believe it’s over already,” complained Charlie.
“Back to the grind tomorrow,” said Emily.
“Yeah, ski season starts this week. Back to the grind.” She giggled, while her sister glared at her. “You could always quit your job and move to Colorado with me.”
“I don’t need two kids with no health insurance,” said Anne.
“Mom, you worry too much. I have insurance through the resort, so I’ll be fine.”
“Yes, but only during the actual ski season,” Anne said. Charlie rolled her eyes, having had this discussion numerous times.
“Mom, it’s almost seven fifteen,” said Emily.
“Oh, right. Okay, y’all lock up when you leave and have a safe trip back. I’m going to miss y’all so much at Thanksgiving. I kind of wish I wasn’t going.”
“Right,” said Emily sarcastically. “I’ll bet you’re going to miss us while you are having fun in Paris.”
“Besides, Mom. You’ll finally get to use your passport.”
“Now, we may have to have ‘The Talk’ before you go and spend four days with Henri. Between those eyes and that accent, he’s going to be hard to resist.”
“Oh yes, I think I should definitely help give you ‘The Talk.’ This could be really fun,” Charlie quipped.
“Once again—why am I glad I have daughters?”
“Because you love us so much,” said Charlie.
“And because your life would be boring without us. Hmmm. Well, maybe not anymore.”
“So speaking of your life not being boring… Are you going to talk to us about what happened on that car ride with Mr. Gherring last night? Did you wreck the car or something? The tension was pretty thick when y’all came back.”
“Nothing happened. I was just tired, that’s all.”
“Come on, Mom. Something must have happened. You’ll feel better if you talk about it,” said Emily
Anne thought for a moment. Perhaps it would be best to get the whole thing off her chest. To get her feelings out in the open. Maybe it would sound better if she told the story to someone else. Maybe she wouldn’t feel so foolish.
No, this was a problem she needed to handle by herself. After all, she was the mother, and they were the children. She couldn’t be asking them for advice about how to control your emotions.
She turned to the girls and forced a smile. “Don’t worry. It really was nothing. Now, come give me hugs. I’ve gotta go.”
Upon arrival at her desk, Anne found a 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? Well, 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. She’d show Gherring she wasn’t some secretary to be trifled with. She might not have had any business classes, but she was smart and she learned fast. She’d figure out what everything meant without even asking for Gherring’s help. She was smart enough to use her resources. Tanner and Sam could clarify the difficult concepts for her.
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. 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. Anne’s data needed to prove this would also be the most favorable option for the two companies. Otherwise, Gherring Inc. would simply buy out the two companies and merge the acquisitions. It was very complex, but she would study until she understood it, backwards and forwards. Taking a deep breath, she started working with relish.
> “Here’s your lunch,” said Sam. “I can’t believe you’re doing this all on your own. Why isn’t Mr. Gherring helping you?”
“I really appreciate your help. Mr. Gherring didn’t say he wouldn’t help me. I just wanted to prove I could figure it out myself. Besides, he’s really busy working with Jared today. This will be Jared’s first big presentation, and I’m sure he’s nervous. I would be—I hate public speaking.”
“Well, you seem to grasp the basic concepts pretty well. It’s all very complex. I’m sure even Jeff didn’t understand all the international laws that are involved. Mr. Gherring is the only one who really does. I’ve already taught you everything I know. But I’ll pass on your questions to Randy. His specialty is mergers and acquisitions.”
“Hey thanks. Maybe after I talk to Henri, I’ll run up there and pick his brain. Would you ask him for me?”
“Sure thing. So things are still going strong with Henri? I still can’t believe you snagged him. Women around here have been falling all over him for years. You show up, and he’s following you around like a puppy dog. Do you have some secret aphrodisiac?”
“She certainly seems to,” Steven Gherring’s deep voice carried from the doorway of the conference room.
“Oh… Hi, Mr. Gherring. I was just leaving.” Sam made a small gesture to Anne indicating she would call her later.
“Are you making progress?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s coming along.”
“Unfortunately I have to go to a meeting with some investors this afternoon. You know I don’t expect you to do this on your own. I’ll tackle it tomorrow and try to get it into a form you can put in the PowerPoint. Sound okay?”
“I’ll just keep plugging along. And Katie is handling all the day-to-day stuff.”
“Great.” His jaw flexed, causing his dimples to appear despite the distinct lack of a smile. “Do we… I think we need to talk… about last night.”
“Mr. Gherring, the last thing I want to do is talk about last night. I’d like to forget about it, and I’d appreciate it if you’d help me do just that. So let’s make an agreement not to talk about anything.”
“We can’t not talk about anything.”
“Of course I don’t mean that. I’m your secretary. So, we can talk about work-related subjects.”
“You’re my executive assistant,” Gherring huffed as his hands balled into tight fists. “And I’m not agreeing to not talk. I won’t press the matter right now, because I’ve got to get to this meeting. But I’ll promise you this much—you will talk with me. Or if you prefer you can sit quietly and pretend to listen. It’s your choice. Just not today.”
He left the conference room, shutting the door just a little harder than usual.
Anne realized her hands were shaking with adrenaline. At least she’d managed to put off the discussion until tomorrow. She felt so humiliated. What she needed was a pep talk, and she knew just where to get it—Henri.
His face appeared on the screen, still sporting his scruffy look. “I am so happy to see you. You look amazing. Those deep brown eyes, they are fathomless.”
“Thanks, Henri. I needed an ego boost. And how do you know a word like ‘fathomless’?”
“I have been reading English poetry. And why do you need an ego boost? Someone as beautiful as you should not need boosting.”
Anne didn’t want to share the real reason for her distress. “Surely even someone as handsome as you has doubts every once in a while.”
Henri appeared to think hard. “No… no I’ve always known I was perfect.” He laughed. “Sure I do, and you are very good for my ego.” Then his face fell. “I hate to bring you down, when you need a boost, but…”
“What’s wrong, Henri?”
“It’s my niece, Anna-Laure. She said that her leg was hurting, and we thought it was from riding the pony. But now the doctors are afraid it may be something worse. It might even be cancer.”
“Oh no! Are they doing tests? When will you know?”
“She’s already had some blood tests today, and she is scheduled for some scans later in the week.” Henri looked absolutely destitute. “I don’t know what I’ll do if she has cancer. I can’t lose her. And her mom and her brother will be devastated.”
“Don’t jump the gun, Henri. It might not be serious. I’ll pray for her—I promise.”
“I wish you were here, just to hold my hand and tell me that everything will be all right. At times like this, I feel so alone. You understand now, don’t you? You see why I feel strongly for you? I knew from the beginning you were different from the other women. There are many women who want me, who offer themselves to me. But they are selfish, as I am selfish. But you are not selfish, and you make me want to be like you.”
“I’m not perfect either, Henri. You just don’t know me well enough. If you put me on a pedestal, you’ll be very disappointed when you see the real me.”
“I am not so young that I am naïve, mon ange. I know you are human, not a real angel. You will see when you come to Paris.”
“I wish I could come tonight, Henri. I’d hold your hand and cry with you. But I hope by the time I come, you’ll have good news.”
“If you would come tonight, I would buy your ticket. But you will not come, will you?”
“I… my job…”
“Your job.” Henri’s expression was sour. “Gherring does not appreciate you. You are more than a secretary. You have a degree in Chemistry, so you must be very intelligent. Anyone else would know you could be so much more than a secretary.”
Anne took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Henri, I agree with you. I could be more than a secretary. But a Chemistry degree and no job experience except being a part-time travel agent and a mother doesn’t qualify you for many positions. I’m lucky to have this job.”
“Still, Gherring does not know how valuable you are. He uses people. He plays with their lives. That is how he makes his living.”
“Henri, I don’t think he’s as bad as you think he is.”
“Of course, my angel, you will defend him. He does not deserve your loyalty. Let me ask you a question… Has he never done anything to keep you in his control? Has he never made you feel foolish? Has he never made you think he was your friend, and then done something to hurt you?”
She didn’t answer, struggling with her emotions as she considered Henri’s questions. He continued, “But a better question is this… Have I ever done any of those things to you? I pray the answer is no. If I have, I fall on my face and beg you to forgive me.”
“No Henri, you haven’t ever done any of those things.”
“But? There is something you are not saying.”
“But… But you push me, Henri. I don’t like pressure. It makes me nervous.”
“I am sorry.”
“You don’t look like you’re really sorry.”
Henri laughed. “Life is short, and I have wasted much of it. I do not want to waste another day. So I may try to hurry you along.”
Anne tried to keep a stern countenance, but failed. “Okay, Henri. You’re forgiven.”
His smile was unrepentant.
Sam set up Anne’s meeting with Randy. With his help, she gained a greater understanding of the proposal. He gave her his cell number, so she could call him with questions as she worked. Having acquired some basic knowledge, she attacked the project with a vengeance. She had slides to show the actual profits from the five prior years. Then she organized the PowerPoint with comparison tables to show the projected profit with the merger and cooperative contract. She had organizational charts and slides with tax consequences.
Occasionally some of Jeff’s notes would look like a foreign language to her, but so far Randy had been able to clarify the issues. Anne was tired but extremely pleased with her progress. She started reading a particularly tedious stack of notes. The information was random. Some pertaining to the physical plant while others referred to economic trends. She read until her eyes wer
e blurry.
“Oh my God! What are you still doing here?” Gherring’s voice startled her from her trance.
“I was… I was just working. What time is it?”
“It’s nine thirty! There’s no one here but the night guards. How were you planning to get home?”
“I don’t know. The subway, I guess. I didn’t know it was so late. What are you doing here?”
“I tried to call you, and you didn’t answer your cell. You weren’t at the apartment and Rayna hadn’t seen you come in. Gram didn’t know where you were. I even called Emily, and she hadn’t heard from you. Everyone was worried.”
“You had Emily’s cell number?”
“Yes, I… That’s not the point. No one knew where you were. You can’t stay here this late by yourself.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. But look what I got done. I’ve almost finished Jeff’s whole PowerPoint.”
“I don’t care about the PowerPoint. I care about—”
“You darn well better care about this PowerPoint! I’ve sweated blood over this thing, and you’re going to look at it whether you want to or not!” She glared at him with her arms crossed, until he finally gave in.
“Fine. Let me see what you’ve got.” He leaned over the computer. “You do remember I said I would do this tomorrow?”
“Yes, but that doesn’t give you time to practice the presentation.” Anne brought up the PowerPoint, flashing quickly through the slides and summarizing the information. “Okay, that’s not quite all of it, but most of it. What do you think?” She held her breath.
He was staring at the computer screen, scrolling though the PowerPoint. “How did you do this? How did you put this together using those crappy notes Jeff left? How did you know how to organize this or what this stuff even meant?”
“I just did a little research, and then I got Randy, from the international accounting department, to explain the concepts and the laws and such. I mean, some of it still seems like Greek to me, but I’ve got the gist of it.” She paused for a breath. “Is it good?”
