by Tamie Dearen
“We? You’re going?”
“Neither of us is going, if you aren’t better. So start drinking.”
Her knees felt weak. Was it dehydration? Or was it the news she’d be spending the evening with Steven.
“But last time we went somewhere with Johanna and Alexander, someone took our picture and put it in the social column. That could mess things up for you and Ellen.”
“I don’t care,” Steven forced the words between his teeth. “Let them speculate. More gossip will be better publicity for Ellen, anyway.” He stomped toward the exit.
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.” She was following him out the door, when she grabbed his arm, pleading. “Could I get something else to drink besides water? Please? Maybe some iced tea?”
His expression softened. “Sure, we’ll get some tea to go from Papa’s on the way out.”
Anne worked hard to drink the enormous cup of Papa’s iced tea. Papa’s was the only place she’d found in New York City that offered sweet tea that tasted just like what she had back in Weatherford, Texas. By the time she walked into the lobby of the apartment with Steven, she felt a little less queasy. On the elevator, he pinned her with a look.
“Do you promise to finish that tea? Or do I need to come and sit with you until it’s gone?”
“I promise,” she said meekly. “I don’t mind drinking sweet tea so much.”
“You’ve got two hours before we’re supposed to be downstairs. I’m coming to your apartment thirty minutes early to evaluate whether I’ll let you go tonight.”
Anne’s hackles rose at the authority in his voice. “No thank you. I’ll make that determination myself and call you.”
“You’ll pardon me if I have little faith in your judgment at the moment. You’ll do as I say, or…” He stopped and let out a little frustrated grunt. Then he began again in a tired, pleading tone. “Ms. Best. I’ve been quite worried about you this afternoon, and it’s taken an emotional toll. Frankly, I’m exhausted. If you could just roll with me on this one thing, I could relax and take a nap and look forward to our show tonight.”
Immediately her demeanor was assuaged. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to be selfish. You go take a nap, and I’ll do whatever you tell me to do.”
With relief evident on his face, she exited the elevator under his watchful gaze.
She finished the tea and set her alarm to take a quick nap. Her body was physically and emotionally spent. She fell asleep immediately and woke confused at the sound of her clock beeping. Moving to the bathroom, she regarded her drawn face with alarm. Perhaps a quick shower would help. She hopped in and washed her hair, quickly donning some clothes before Steven was scheduled to arrive. He knocked on her door precisely at the prescribed time. She dashed to answer it, flinging the door open.
“I’m sorry,” she said, peeking through a mass of unruly wet waves. “I decided to take a nap and a shower, so I’m not ready yet.”
He eyed her critically. “How do you feel?”
“I’m fine,” she said, hurrying to the bathroom to continue her preparations. “Really, I feel a lot better. I’m not trying to hide anything. And I drank all of that ten gallon cup of tea you bought me.”
He followed her and leaned against the bathroom doorway, watching the proceedings. “It wasn’t quite ten gallons,” he bantered. He observed her with interest as she applied mascara. “Why do you hold your mouth open wide when you put that on?”
“I don’t know—it’s just something you have to do somehow when you put mascara on. Everyone does it, I think.”
“You don’t really need make-up. You don’t wear much anyway, do you? I mean, I guess you had on more that night you went to the gala. And you looked good. But I think you look beautiful without it.”
Anne watched her face turn red in the mirror. She started coughing to distract attention from her flush. “Uhmm thanks. That’s a sweet thing to say.”
“Maybe, but I didn’t say it because I’m sweet. I could prove that to you again if you’d like.” His smile was wicked.
She’d thought she couldn’t get any redder, but she was wrong. “Maybe you should wait in the other room while I finish getting ready.”
“But this is so interesting,” he protested with a grin.
“Yes. But you’re distracting me and I won’t be ready on time.”
He reluctantly removed himself to the living area. When she emerged, he was standing by the bookshelves holding a photograph. “I guess this is Tom with you and the girls?”
“Yes, it’s one of the last ones we took together as a family before… before we lost him.”
“I can see him in the girls, especially Charlie. I thought they looked just like you, but now I can see where they get some of their features from him.” He placed the photo back on the shelf. “You have a lot of family photos—I guess family means a lot to you. I just wondered… Why did you decide to apply for a job in New York and leave your family behind?”
“Wow, I don’t know how to answer that. Let me think.” She contemplated his question as they strolled to the elevator.
“I guess maybe boredom. Dissatisfaction. Feeling like I’d lost my purpose with the girls gone. Wondering if there wasn’t something else out there… But to be honest, I never dreamed I’d actually get the job. It was just a lark. A chance to go to New York.”
She challenged him, “So now, you tell me. Why did you hire me?”
“Same reasons. Boredom. Dissatisfaction.” HIs dimples grew deep. “Let’s just say I enjoy a challenge, and I hadn’t had one in quite a while.”
“Oh, so I was a challenge?”
“Yes. I had to treat you like a skittish wild animal, draw you in, earn your trust. And just when I think I’ve got you all figured out—tamed the wild animal—you do something I don’t expect. You’re hard to control, that’s for sure.”
“Maybe that’s because I don’t care to be controlled,” she bristled.
“No doubt… Thus, the challenge.” He waggled his eyebrows until he elicited a giggle.
“Stop that—don’t make me laugh when I’m trying to be mad,” she complained, suppressing a smile.
“Or instead, you could just stop trying to be mad. You never manage it for more than a few minutes anyway.”
“I know. My kids figured that out early on. They knew I was too soft and took advantage of me. I wasn’t good at discipline.”
“I think your kids turned out great. Maybe it’s a good thing to have an explosive temper that peters out immediately afterward.”
She stiffened at the description. “Is that really what you think? That my temper is explosive? I don’t think I’m any worse than you are.”
“Really?” Steven raised his eyebrows and started laughing.
She started to retort, but then she deflated. “Oh. I see what you mean.”
They traveled through the lobby and out to Steven's waiting car.
“I thought the Kleins were picking me up.”
“I called them and told them we would me them there.”
“Uhmm, Mr. Gherring? About tonight… Have you told Ellen? I mean I don’t want her to think it means anything—us going to the jazz show with the Kleins. Because we know it doesn’t mean anything, but she might not know. She doesn’t know you know Alexander from business and all. And I just wouldn’t want her to think I set you up with her and then I was trying to mess things up—”
“Ms. Best, I’ll deal with Ellen Dean as I see fit. If she’s the kind of woman who gets jealous over something like this, we won’t last long.”
“Okay… Sorry.” They sat in uncomfortable silence for a while. She wished she hadn’t brought up the subject of Ellen. Now images of Steven with his open shirt and Ellen with her sexy dress invaded her mind. What had happened in Steven Gherring’s apartment? It was none of her business. They were two consenting adults. But she wondered, did Steven compare her to Ellen? Ellen wouldn’t have been stiff and afraid when Steven kissed her. She wo
uld have responded with passion, like any other normal red-blooded woman. He wouldn’t have to stop himself to protect her. And Ellen was young and beautiful, exotic even. She realized she was hyperventilating. She had to stop thinking about it.
“Perhaps,” said Steven, “now would be a good time to discuss last n—”
“Nope! Nope! Not a good time,” Anne said, keeping her voice light. She tried breathing slowly in and out through her nose. “Maybe tomorrow, maybe never…” she said, between breaths.
Steven watched her with wide eyes, but made no further comment before they arrived.
The show was great, and Anne was enchanted with every moment. They sat near the stage, so there was little conversation. But Anne was too enthralled watching the musicians to notice anything else. The saxophone player sauntered over to the table and played while looking directly at Anne during one of his sexy solos, much to her embarrassment. After the song, Anne clapped and cheered and let out one of her wolf whistles for his benefit. Steven ordered drinks and appetizers, with water for Anne. But she barely sipped on anything and the fried calamari looked too greasy to her tender stomach.
When the show was over, Johanna wanted to grab a late dinner so they could talk. Anne started to respond she was too tired and had to be at work early, but Steven usurped her authority.
“I think that’s an excellent idea. But we need something very light. What sounds good to you Anne?”
“Nothing really. I’m not very hungry.”
“Which is interesting since you haven’t eaten all day. And this from the girl who won’t let me skip lunch anymore.”
She started to protest and mention she’d eaten cheese crackers, but she remembered they hadn’t stayed down. She gave in without argument. “Anything would be fine.”
Steven remembered a place that had great soups and breads. When their orders arrived and Anne swallowed a few bites of creamy potato soup, he gave her an approving nod.
“So Mr. Gherring,” said Johanna. “Alexander says he has invited you to visit us in Germany. Do you think that might be in your plans soon? Perhaps after Christmas?”
“Perhaps we could come visit you when we come to Switzerland to ski in January.”
“Yes, we have a wonderful guest cottage with a fireplace. Very cozy for two.” Johanna smiled.
Anne’s heart lurched as she thought of Steven and Ellen skiing together in Switzerland and staying in the Klein’s cozy cottage. But Ellen’s play might still be running in January. In fact, she hoped it would run for many months.
“But Mr. Gherring,” Anne said. “Isn’t Gherring Inc. underwriting Rainbow Junction, now? Hopefully, the play will run for a long time. And I know Ellen said one of the actresses has a sick child. They all really need the work. Ellen probably won’t be able to get off for a trip in January.”
“As always, Anne, you’re on top of every detail, although sometimes you seem to miss the big picture.” He chuckled with the Kleins, while Anne wondered what she’d missed. “Yes, if the play does well, Ellen certainly wouldn’t be able to make a trip in January. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Johanna touched her hand. “Anne, you had not been working at Gherring Inc. for very long when I first met you. How do you like your job? Are you planning to stay? Or will you go back to Texas?” Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she queried her. Anne took it as an opportunity to give Steven a hard time.
“Most days I like my job just fine. But the boss can be a bit controlling at times. One time he even tried to tell me what I should eat and drink. Can you believe that?”
Steven replied, “Personally, I feel sorry for your boss, never being able to predict just what you might do next. He must have to work very hard to stay ahead of you.”
“Oh, I don’t mean to complain about him. He’s very misunderstood. People think he’s really scary, but he’s actually very sweet.”
Steven's dimples pulsed as his jaw muscles contracted. “I think he’s scarier than you realize. I’ve seen him lose his temper when someone is too stubborn for their own good.”
“If that were true, he’d be angry with himself. I’ve never seen anyone more stubborn in my life.”
“Ah-hem!” Johanna cleared her throat loudly. “Anne, how do you like your soup?”
Thursday was uneventful at work. Anne finalized the plans for the Christmas party for Saturday night. Emily called to tell her Grandpa was out of the hospital, at her apartment and doing well. Anne tried Charlie’s cell phone several times, but she never got an answer.
Henri called when she was in Steven's office. Anne answered, but tried to keep her conversation generic. “Hi, how are you?”
“Hello, ma jolie fille. I will be in town tomorrow as I thought. We can have dinner together? Seven o’clock?”
“Seven. That sounds great. Uhmm, how shall we…”
“I will pick you up at your apartment lobby at seven. Oui? I think I have much to tell you. Anna-Laure is through her first chemotherapy session. She has two weeks off before she begins another session. You are still praying?”
“Yes. Every single day.”
“I will see you tomorrow.”
“Okay, bye.”
Steven was observing her with interest. “Hot date tonight?”
“Yes. I plan to get very hot with my treadmill tonight. Or to be more precise, I’m getting hot with your treadmill.”
A grin appeared on his face. “That conjures some very interesting images.”
“Well, stop looking at them, please.”
“I can’t help it. When I close my eyes, the images are still there.” He clenched his eyes shut to demonstrate. “Wait, I can see even better with my eyes closed. Wow! I didn’t even know that was possible. You’re more flexible than I realized.” He flinched when Anne’s ink pen flew across the desk and hit him in the head.
“You can’t blame a guy for watching when he gets a chance like that,” he chuckled.
“Stop it!” she ordered, but the corners of her mouth twitched as she suppressed a smile. “So… you’ve really hit it off with Ellen, huh?”
“Oh, yeah. She’s a great girl. Very talented. Beautiful. Sophisticated. She’s pretty perfect, I guess.”
Her heart turned over at his words. But she was glad, wasn’t she? Yes, of course. She was glad she’d brought them together. She’d done a great job of matchmaking.
“But… I might wish she was a bit older,” he added.
“Older? Why would you want her to be older?”
“Well, you know, she hasn’t had a lot of life experience. There’s not as much to talk about with younger women. But then again, if they’re beautiful, I guess you don’t need to talk. Still, age has some advantages… But other than that, she’s really perfect.”
Anne worried a little. She’d thought Ellen was just the right age. Had she been off on her calculations? But he still seemed to like her.
“And it’s too bad she hasn’t had children.”
“What? I thought you’d want someone who hasn’t been married before.”
“Oh, I guess that’d be nice—divorce can be so messy. But women who haven’t had children usually want to start a family after they get married. I just don’t know if I want to do that at my age. I could change my mind I guess, or maybe Ellen might change her mind. Maybe she’d be happy without children. But really, other than that, she’s perfect.”
Anne racked her brain. Had Ellen said whether she wanted children? Probably not right away, but surely she would want children someday. How old would Steven be by that time? Or would he insist she never have children?
“And I’m sure she won’t mind giving up her career.”
“What?”
“Well, you know, if we were to stay together, I’d want her to be available to travel with me. I travel all over the world. I wouldn’t want a wife who has a job that ties her to the city. In fact, I might not want her to work at all. I mean, I’ve got plenty of money, so why would she want to work? But Ellen’s
pretty perfect. I really underestimated you. I’m sorry I gave you and Gram such a hard time.”
“Sure. No problem…” Ohmygosh. Would Ellen want to give up acting? She’d barely even gotten started. If she agreed to give up her career now, would she resent Steven for it someday in the future? Maybe she should consult with Gram. Perhaps they needed to start over with this new information.
“… Anne. Did you hear me?”
“Huh? No, I’m sorry. What did you say?”
“I asked you where you’re going with Henri on Friday.”
“What? How did you—did I say I was going out with Henri on Friday?”
“Uhmm, yes. You must’ve mentioned it. But you didn’t say where you were going.”
“I… I don’t know. Just dinner, I guess.”
“Dinner and then coffee upstairs?”
The blood rushed to her face. “Just dinner.”
“No coffee?” he teased. She’d had quite enough of his mocking. “Well, as a matter of fact. I think we might have coffee after all. I’ve got some new flavors I’d like to try. Some of them sound sooooo delicious. You know, the kind that makes your mouth water just thinking about them. Mmmmm! I just love experimenting with something new. I’ll bet Henri has a lot I’ve never sampled before. I’m glad you suggested it. I’m sure Henri will be grateful as well.”
Steven's smile was gone. “Stop. You win.” His face was sullen. “I don’t really want you to have coffee with Henri. Or dinner either for that matter. I was only trying to be a good sport about it.” His brows crumpled together. “And it turns out I’m not a very good sport after all.”
Rayna called her over when she came home from work. “Hey, Anne. How was work today?”
“Just routine. How about you? You and Antonio seem to be doing well.”
“I’ve always heard Italians were hot-tempered, but Antonio is hot-blooded instead.” She giggled. “But he’s also really romantic. He took me on a great picnic in Central Park. And he’s nothing like Eddie.”
“I’ve got the magic touch,” Anne bragged. “I’ve got a great track record. Maybe I should start a match-making website.”
