“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.”