“I disagree—I think they could be really good for each other. Strike a great balance. Hmmm…” Anne drummed her fingers on the table. “I need to find a way to get her back out here.”
“If this works out, we’d be aunt and mom-in-laws together.”
“I’d love to be related to you and George.”
Anne made sure she was five minutes late to dinner with Mr. Gherring. She didn’t need to catch him in any state of undress. She wanted to compose herself and reestablish their professional relationship. A
s soon as the door opened, her senses were assaulted with the aroma of food cooking. He let her inside and hurried back to the kitchen.
“Make yourself comfortable. Dinner’s almost ready.”
She followed him into the kitchen, noting he was fully dressed in khaki pants and a dark blue sweater. Still, she remembered exactly what his chest looked like under that sweater. She could see his muscles flexing through the fabric, even when he was just cooking dinner. She was hopeless.
“That’s smells wonderful. What is it?”
“It’s a stir fry with shrimp, steak, chicken, and veggies. Hope you like it.”
Her stomach rumbled noisily. “If it tastes as good as it smells, I’ll love it.”
“Could you set the table? You’ll have to look around for placemats and such. I don’t ordinarily use the dining table.”
She went into the dining area and searched through the buffet and found two linen placemats, napkins and silverware. There was a china cabinet with glassware and plates. Gherring had already set out a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. He came in with the steaming food just as she finished.
“Wow, I haven’t seen this china in a long time.”
“Is it okay? I found it in the bottom of your china cabinet. You have another set, but I really liked this one.” The plates were a simple design, white in the center with cream-colored rims and gold-encrusted edges.
“These belonged to my parents. It’s a Minton pattern. I think it’s called Buckingham. And it’s great to use them tonight. I dislike owning things I don’t use.”
“My folks were too practical to own china. And I don’t even remember my mom. She died when I was three.” She took a bite. “Wow—this is so good. I’d be fat if I could cook like this. I’d just eat all the time.”
He chuckled. “I doubt that seriously. You and your girls look like you’ve got metabolisms that work overtime. You’re fortunate.”
“That’s true. I’m so lucky, because I love eating.”
“Good. When I cook, I want people to enjoy the meal.”
“So… about the job. I’ve been thinking. Are you having regrets about this? I mean, we’re talking about creating a whole different position that doesn’t fit into your current framework. I can be a bit impulsive at times. I want you to be honest with me.”
His dimples flashed. “Why don’t you hold that thought until after dinner? I think I know you pretty well. If you start thinking too much, you won’t be able to eat.”
Her mouth hung open. He was right—her stomach often refused food when she was upset about something. “Okay. We’ll wait. So what shall we talk about? Should we go with… qualities you would like in a wife?”
He laughed. “Not again—that one upsets my stomach.”
“Tell me about growing up with Gram.”
His expression grew contemplative. “That‘s a good one. Good memories. Gram took me out of boarding school when my parents died. I grew up in Gram’s house—the one where you had dinner.”
“And Michelle?”
He frowned. “What about Michelle?”
“She told me you were family friends.”
“That’s true. I used to change her diapers. She was born when I was ten years old.”
“I see—so you’ve always liked younger women.”