Inheritance, K.C Baylor [most popular novels of all time TXT] 📗

A picnic seemed just about right on this colorful spring day on the hills of Rochester, New York. So that is where Julian took his new wife. Soft linen cover spread perfectly beneath a weeping willow. A nice selection of green grapes on the vine and four blocks of cheese lie neatly beside a freshly baked loaf of bread and his beautiful wife's favorite cinnamon rolls hid neatly wrapped inside of a napkin. Julian pressed his fingers gently against Harmony's eyelids her black hair blew against his face and neck as he led her toward his surprise picnic.

"Julian are you going to tell me where we're going I'm afraid I may fall soon" her voice was playful.

"Your fear of falling suggests that you have no faith in your husband" the wind caught the raspberry scent of her skin encircling them in a moment Julian would never forget.

"Keep your eyes closed until I say open." he needed to see her eyes light up. He lye on his side resting his head in the palm of his hand waiting anxiously..

"Open" Harmony revealed her cat like green eyes. The dimples in her cheeks appeared as she smiled

"Do you like it?" Harmony pressed her painted lips against her husbands; massaging her slender fingers through his dark brown curls she whispered the words

"I love it" into his parted mouth. The happy couple reminisced on their wedding day sharing laughs, cheeses, fresh bread and bottled wine. Speaking of dreams yet to be fulfilled and nights yet to come to pass.

The time spent with her was time not spent thinking about his career. He was now the President of his families company. For 100 years his great-grandfather, grandfather and father have imported and exported fine Linens, Silks and Raw Leather all across the globe. As tradition in his family, the first male child born inherits the company upon being married on his thirtieth year of life. Julian risked being over looked for this guaranteed career being thirty-three. His heart would not allow him to marry a woman, any woman for the sake of money. His father pleaded his case to his grandfather not wanting to let this "wonderful opportunity" slip into the hands of his cousin William. Thankfully William was twenty-seven at the time of his fathers request giving Julian three years to find Harmony.

       As unusual as this may sound Julian knew Harmony was his wife before he saw her face. Early one morning when the sky was still splashed with the colors of dawn he was out walking going over and over in his mind what path life would take without his chosen career. His feet led him to a familiar, wooded area deep in Letch worth State Park, close to the lapping waters of the Genesee River. The slight smell of raspberries following the sound of a guitar melody caught his attention; no matter how close he got to the sound he couldn't fine the person who made it. Finally deciding to sit back and enjoy what he heard, he rested against a tree wondering how long the person would play or if the smell of raspberries came from them. The sound of a woman singing softly broke his thoughts. Her voice carried a tone of sorrow and utter heartbreak. Several moments later the music stopped. Julian saw the image of a thin woman emerge from behind a tree. Her long, wavy black hair danced around her face and shoulders while her burgundy wrap skirt chased itself around her legs. Julian could not see her face but something told him she was beautiful. He forced himself to be bold enough to speak to the mysterious woman. Seeking words but finding none his hand reached up and brushed her shoulder. Her eyes caught him off guard. They were sad and piercing. She stood there waiting for him to speak, when he didn't she walked out of the park and his life until two weeks later when he saw her again buying fresh produce from an outside vendor. Julian admired her beauty from a distance. There were a thousand things he wanted to say floating inside of his head, but his vocal cords would not participate. So he bought a

single sunflower, attaching his number on a tiny yellow posted he never left home without in the center of the long stemmed reminder of the sun. He carefully placed it inside of her basket and walked to a nearby bench to wait for her reaction. It seemed like forever before she noticed the flower but the amusement in her eyes was worth it. She searched around for a possible culprit finally resting her eyes on Julian he smiled too afraid he'd appear arrogant if he waved. She returned his smile reaching in her basket for the sunflower. She inhaled one good time before walking shyly in his direction.

"I'll call you tonight" the words slipped over her shoulder quite like a satin bathrobe when ones about to take a shower leaving Julian in a state of infatuation.

       Three hours later on the drive back to what they called the "House on the hill" Harmony noticed a change in Julian's mood

"What's bothering you? You seem a thousand miles away"

"I'm just nervous about tomorrow. I've always been on the receiving end of leadership and tomorrow I'm expected to lead." He gave her a reassuring smile.

"I have every confidence that my husband Julian Anthony Bordeaux will be the best President from a line of very great Presidents" Julian could not help but laugh at her exaggeration. Twenty minutes later they were walking into their partially decorated house to a ringing telephone.

"What do you think? Should I get it?"

"If you won't I will" she ran her fingers through the back of his hair as she walked in the direction of the telephone.

"Hello"

"Sure, he's right here" Julian knew who it was without her saying a word.

"Hello dad"

"Julian, I'm sorry for interrupting you. I was just calling to see if you were prepared for tomorrow." His father's tone of voice was always the same, serious. Julian could not remember a time when it hasn't been. 

"I'm prepared as I'll ever be just hoping the family business doesn't end with me" he gave a nervous laugh stopping when he realized he was laughing alone.

"Ok son, I'll meet you there in the morning be sure to wear suit and tie, your employees will respect you more if you do so."

"Sure dad, Goodnight" He hung up with his father feeling much worse then when he started. Everything with his father has always been business or negotiating, even down to getting married to his mother. Which is why Julian has vowed never to let the family business harden him or to rule his every decision.

Julian began undressing on his way to find Harmony although it was not quite six he wanted to slip into his favorite worn linen pajama bottoms. Harmony's guitar could be heard in the middle bedroom where they both decided would be her music room. Shirtless and comfortable in his linen pants he entered the presence of his wife sliding his body on the floor beside her. With every strum of her guitar melting away the conversation with his father taking all of his concerns about tomorrow with it. Julian did not know how she did it, how she managed to take him to a place where only they dwelled, where everything was light and carefree.

            The following morning Julian was all nerves standing in front of his office.

 "Charles Manning this is my son Julian Bordeaux. Julian, Charles will be your assistant as he's been mine for the past six years. Whatever you need talk to Mr. Manning here and he'll work it out." Julian shook Charles' hand; he met him in passing on two other occasions.

" Mr. Manning may I have a word with my son please?"

" Sure I'll be in the office if anyone needs me." Charles looked well put together Julian noticed that right away.

"Now listen Julian I have to go, but if you need me call me on my home office phone. You'll be fine. For the first few days follow Mr. Manning's lead." Julian thought it was weird hearing his father call a man-years younger than himself Mister. Christoph Bordeaux practicing business etiquette twenty-four hours a day.

" No problem dad I'm sure I'll be fine." Julian reached out to shake his father's hand, which seemed fitting under the circumstances something that obviously pleased his father greatly. He stood in the hall watching his father disappear behind the steel door.

       Charles sat on the edge of a polished cherry wood desk reading papers that may or may not have been important when Julian entered his office.

"So Julian or would you prefer Mr. Bordeaux?"

"Julian is fine"

"If you'd like I could introduce you to the employees or we could" Julian cut him off

"I already know them I've pretty much grown up with them. How old are you Charles?

Julian wanted to know things about the people he would have to spend hours around.

"Thirty-eight" the arch in his brow let Julian know he was curious as to where this conversation would lead.

" And are you married?"

"Yes"

"For how long?

"Five years, it'll be six next month"

"Any children?"

"Yes, a daughter"

"How old?" Julian had his back toward Charles he faced the window looking out over a tree-topped hill.

"She's three years old"

"And how much of this does my father know?" There was a long pause before his answer

"None"

"That wasn't a trick question Charles, I just would like for you to know that I'm Julian not Christoph. The way I plan on running this business is not the way my father has or his father for that matter. I strongly believe that I can maintain a camaraderie as well as a business professional relationship with the people I work with." Julian turned to face him giving a sincere smile to drive the point home.

"Well in that case I'm hungry as hell. This is about the hour I try to grab a bite to eat." The two men shared a laugh something Julian was sure never happened between Charles and his father.

        At the end of the day, Julian accomplished a meeting with Chance Welling and Mac Byrd his partner. The drive home felt invigorating. It took almost everything in him not to call Harmony more than once. For the first time in his life, Julian felt powerful as if he could make things happen.

The smell of Italian sauces filled the rooms of the house as he entered his shared dwelling.

"Harmony?" there was no answer.

"Harmony?" Julian walked hesitantly into the dining area to find Harmony standing by the dining room table; she wore a sleeveless black evening gown hugging every curve of her body, a long split on the side revealed her creamy smooth skin. Her black hair was tied loosely away from her face, just the way he liked it. Flickering candles gave her a golden hue.

"What's all of this?"

"I just thought the President would like to enjoy a fine dinner and then his wife" Harmony's voice was barely above a whisper. A single sunflower sat in a clear crystal vase in the center of the table. Julian was forever amazed at the woman he married. He could not remember who walked over to whom or who kissed whom first. Harmony's soft lips pressed seductively against his, coaxing him into hypnosis, her fingers stroking the back of his neck slipping him further into fantasy making it harder to identify with reality. Julian traced the lining of her gown his hand sliding down the center of her back resting there, pulling her into him. It was almost as if Harmony knew how great his day had been. She pulled away from her husband.

"You're not allowed to have dessert before dinner,