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“We’d love it,” she said. “But do you really want to go on a touristy cruise on the Hudson? What if people recognize you? Tourists aren’t cool about being around famous people the way New Yorkers are.”
Gherring pulled an old beat-up baseball cap out of his pocket and added a pair of glasses. “Voilà!”
“Now we just need to teach you how to drawl,” said Anne. “And people will think we’re a couple from Texas.”
“Are y’all ready to go?” he stretched out his words.
“That’s pretty good, but it’s not red-dy, it’s ray-eh-dy.”
Emily and Charlie came running down. Emily asked, “Are we too late? Did the taxi wait for us?”
“Mr. Gherring is taking us,” said Anne.
“Oh hey, Mr. Gherring,” said Charlie. “Dig the cool glasses—I didn’t even recognize you.”
“Yeah, love the nerdy look.” Emily whispered to her mom, “I think he really is Superman.”
Despite the cold evening air, the girls were delighted with the cruise. It was ninety minutes long and included all the sites along the Hudson River, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges, and views of the twinkling lights of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building on the New York skyline.
“I know this must be boring for you,” Anne said to Gherring, when the young people had gone to the outside railing. “You’ve been so kind. You’ve really made this weekend great for the girls. It wouldn’t have been half as much fun.”
“But you had all your gifts from Henri…”
“I’m sorry that happened in front of you. I’m really not trying to flaunt him in your face, you know. And it doesn’t change how much I appreciate your efforts to make this weekend special for the girls.”
“It was nothing.”
“No. I know you gave up a lot of work time. And now… coming out here… I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”
“You don’t need to repay me. I just wanted to show you—”
“Hey Mom! Come outside—it’s prettier from out here,” yelled Charlie.
Anne rolled her eyes at Gherring. “I’m coming.”
Gherring walked with her to an empty spot on the railing near the girls.
Emily called, “Isn’t it beautiful, Mom?”
Anne noticed both girls had extra protection from the wind using the boys as windshields and a little extra body heat from their arms. As she stood shaking from the cold, Gherring moved beside her and opened his coat to wrap it around her back. Suddenly Anne felt not only protection from the wind but also the warmth of Gherring’s body against her side. A shiver rippled down her spine.
“Are you still cold?” asked Gherring.
“No, I’m fine,” Anne muttered, embarrassed by the quivering of her voice.
“You are cold.” He opened his coat again, turning her and pulling her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her and enveloping her in his coat. Anne panicked, knowing he must feel her heart thrumming against him. She tried to slow it down, but he moved his arms in a gentle caress on her back, and her blood pumped even faster. She could feel his strong hard muscles pressed against her, and it seemed his heart beat quickly as well. Breathing so rapidly she felt a bit faint, she couldn’t summon the strength to pull away from him.
The desire she’d been holding back came to the surface. She couldn’t let herself feel this way. This was a road that would lead to endless pain. Even these few moments of sheer pleasure would cause incredible suffering when she came crashing back to reality. She didn’t dare let her imagination run in the arms of Steven Gherring. She had to keep a hold on her rationality, her practicality, her good judgment. She wasn’t the right match for Steven Gherring. She knew that in her head, but not in her heart.
“Your hair smells good,” remarked Steven in a slightly strained voice.
“It’s eau d’ bargain brand shampoo.”
Steven started laughing. With her head against his chest, the deep sound resonated in her ear.
“Are you warm now? You’ve stopped shaking.”
“Yes. I’m cozy. Thanks. You must be freezing now, since I sucked all the heat out of you.”
