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“Nice to meet you.” Ellen rang up the books. “Book addicts are always welcome in my store.”
Spencer and Mark were waiting when the three arrived at Papa’s Place.
“Aunt May put us in the back room, since Mr. Gherring is coming.” Spencer led them to their table, already set up with water and menus. Anne and the girls sat down on one side of the table, and the boys sat down opposite the girls. The aroma of home cooking wafted through the room.
“That smell is making my stomach growl,” said Emily.
Charlie grabbed a hot yeast roll from a basket on the table, slathering it with butter. “I can see already why this is your favorite place to eat, Mom. I’m surprised you haven’t gained weight.”
“I probably would’ve if I didn’t walk so much.”
Gherring appeared in the doorway. “I’m afraid I’ll have to eat quickly and get back to work.” He took the empty chair opposite Anne.
Charlie spoke between bites of roll. “So let me ask you a question, Mr. Gherring. Do you love what you do? Do you find fulfillment in your work?”
“Charlie, don’t start this with Mr. Gherring.” Anne groaned, recognizing a familiar argument.
Gherring raised his eyebrows. “Why do you ask?”
“We have this ongoing debate about whether you should work at a job you hate just because it makes money, or whether you should work at a job that pays less doing what you love to do,” explained Charlie.
“For instance, Charlie thinks I sold out by getting an accounting degree.” Emily sipped her water. “I’ve already passed my CPA exam, and I’ll be certified in another four months.”
“But she hates it.” Charlie pointed an accusing finger. “Admit it, Em. You dread going to work.”
“There’s not a job where I could get paid to read my books all day,” said Emily.
Charlie laughed. “That’s why I said your ideal job was to be a princess, like Belle in Beauty and the Beast with that huge library.”
“And your ideal job?” Gherring asked Charlie.
“I’m doing it. I ski all winter and get paid to teach kids to ski, and in the summer, I get paid to take people rafting and rock climbing. What could be better?”
“Maybe a job where you made enough money you didn’t spend every cent on food and rent,” said Anne. “And then live in a crowded apartment all winter and sleep on friends’ couches all summer.”
Gherring held his hands up in surrender. “I’m not getting in the middle of this one.”
“You have to answer my question,” said Charlie.
Gherring thought for a moment. “If I’m honest, I’d have to say I’ve never thought about it. Gherring Inc. was my destiny before I was born. I never had much choice.”
“You should take a year off. Come to Colorado and be a ski bum. Take some time to enjoy life.”
He laughed, but his expression was almost wistful. “I’ll keep that idea in mind.”
“Not every finds fulfillment from their jobs,” said Spencer. “Some people use their work to make the money they need to find fulfillment.”
Emily tilted her head. “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
The young people started a debate on whether technology had caused a decrease or increase in communication. Anne and Gherring were quietly listening to their banter, when he said, “I can see why you miss your daughters.”
“They’re really fun, aren’t they? Although I wish they were a little more careful of what they say. Things just pop out of their mouths before their brains have engaged.”
“It’s possible they inherited that trait.”
She couldn’t argue. But it was embarrassing that he’d already noticed that particular flaw. Did it irritate him? Or was he teasing?
“There… you did it again,” he said.
