ge chair. It was comfortable enough.”
Anne surveyed her surroundings, taking in the fluffy down comforter that surrounded her and the pillow she’d slept on.
“I’m so sorry you had to do all this and sleep outside. I couldn’t sleep so I took a couple of Benadryl. But I’m glad you happened to find me. I probably wouldn’t have woken up ‘til nine or ten o’clock. Unless I froze to death.”
She stood up and gathered her things. They walked inside to the elevator. Though Gherring tried to hide his discomfort from the long night on a lounger, she could tell his movements were stiff. The man was so sweet. She felt so guilty he’d had a cold, uncomfortable night just to keep her safe.
“I didn’t actually say it, but thank you. I really mean it,” said Anne.
Gherring smiled, his gaze intense over the pile of pillows and blankets he held. He took a slow breath, as if searching for words. “Anne, I’ve only known you for a few weeks—”
“Yes, but I hope you won’t judge me yet. I know I’ve been clumsy and sensitive and disrespectful, and I’ve mixed up the time by an hour. And now I’ve fallen asleep outside alone on the roof and almost missed work. But I’m usually very responsible. I really can do this job. I hope you won’t fire me before my three months is over.”
“Anne, I would never—”
“Thank you, Mr. Gherring—you won’t regret it!”
She gave him a hug with her arms full of blanket and her tea mug in hand, and rushed off the elevator to her apartment.
Gherring’s posture was still rigid when he arrived at the office. Knowing she was responsible for his state she resolved to make it up to him. Somehow. She threw herself into her work, plowing through the PowerPoint Presentation. She added creative graphics and animation, but not so much as to be distracting. Photographs of Bern, Switzerland proved the presentation was personalized for their company. She was working so hard she jumped when someone called her name.
“Anne!”
“Oh! Hey Sam. You scared me.”
“That was the third time I said your name.”
“Sorry, When I’m absorbed in something I’m in another world.”
“Impressive powers of concentration. Tanner and I wanted to take you to lunch today.”
“I’d love to if I make enough progress on this presentation. I can’t get this one slide to look right. I’m about to pull out my hair. It has to be perfect.”
“You’re the one who always says you shouldn’t skip meals. Right?”
Anne grimaced. “I did say that, didn’t I? Twelve o’clock? Next door?”
“We’d be glad to take you some place new, but I know you’re devoted to Papa’s Place.” Sam smiled.
“Do you have something to tell me?” Anne winked, please when pink rose in Sam’s cheeks.
“It’s only been a few weeks.”
“I notice you didn’t deny it was a future possibility.”
“You’re impossible. Did you know that?”
“So I’ve been told,” Anne laughed. “See ya later.”
She went back to work, but shortly after got a call from Gram.
“Hello dear. I just wanted to ask about this date you’ve planned for Steven. Who did you say this girl is?”
“She’s a news reporter. She hasn’t made it big yet, but she’s getting a lot of attention. I think she’s very intelligent and well informed. She’ll be able to carry on a decent conversation.”
“But is she the kind of girl who knows the importance of family? She may be totally self-centered. Steven doesn’t need a girl like that.”
“I have no way of knowing, but it’s worth a shot. Mr. Gherring is a wonderful, caring man. Any girl would be lucky to have him. Surely she’ll recognize that and be sensitive to his needs.”