Page 5 of Bachelor CEO

“Well, that’s great,” Chase said, fumbling forthe correct words. So that’s all this was about. Leroy was afraid Chase wouldbe disappointed at not being named CEO.

“I wanted to tell you first. I know I’ve beengrooming you to take over for me, but…” Leroy’s voice trailed off.

“It’s fine,” Chase said quickly. “Another yearis no big deal. I’m actually glad you’re staying. Work’s kept you young. You’dmiss it too much.”

“It’s certainly kept me busy, and that keepsmy mind off other things,” Leroy corrected. One corner of his lips inchedupward in a sad, reflective smile. “No, this isn’t about me. It’s about you,and my failure to do what’s right. I’m not sure being CEO is what’s best foryou.”

“What?” The word shot out of Chase’s mouth,propelled by pure shock. “You’re kidding.”

“No, I’m not. I’ve come to realize that you’vealways been expected to work for me at McDaniel. I’ve groomed you to fill yourfather’s shoes, without really asking if that’s what you wanted. Remember whenyou wanted to be a forest ranger? Or a doctor?”

“That’s Chris and Chandy.If I considered medicine, it was a long time ago. I almost passed out after thelast company blood drive.”

Chase’s head was spinning. He felt as if he’dbeen sideswiped. “I love working at McDaniel Manufacturing. I’ve never resentedit. I’m happy there.”

“Still, I’ve never given you the opportunityto explore other options. When your father died I assumed you would take hisplace in the business. I should have given you the freedom to choose yourcareer, like your brother and sisters.”

“I chose business,” Chase protested. “I havean MBA.”

“Only because I expected you to get one,” hisgrandfather pointed out, unclasping his hands and gripping his knees. “You’vealways done what was expected of you. Life’s too short to live that way. I wantyou to break the rules. Go forth and have some fun. Sail the seven seas. HikeEverest. See if there’s another career calling your name. I want you to behappy.”

“I am happy,” Chase said, as the hopelessnessof the situation became clear. His grandfather had made up his mind. He’ddetermined that he’d failed Chase, which meant he was immovable. Leroy wasknown for not backing down once he’d decided on a course of action.

“I want you to be sure. I’m giving you thenext year off with pay. If you decide McDaniel is where you want to be, thistime next summer I’ll step aside and you’ll fill my shoes as CEO, no questionsasked. But I believe you need time to think. To be really sure your heart isinto running the company I built.”

“Of course it is,” Chase insisted.

His grandfather conceded with a tilt of hishead. “You say that now, but that’s because you’ve never beentruly allowed to make your own decisions. Don’t worry about disappointing me.I’d be more upset if you didn’t take this time to reflect and find out what’sright for Chase, not what’s right for McDaniel.”

“But all the work I do…”

“You aren’t indispensable. It can be handled.We have plenty of people who can cover for you.” Leroy leaned back and kickedhis feet up again. “You know, I wish I’d had this opportunity. At twenty I wasalready running the family farm. Then I started expanding and producing, andyour father was born two years after Heidi and I married. Don’t get me wrong. Iloved every minute. I just want you to be sure.”

“I am.” Darn Leroy for not seeing that!

Chase wondered if his grandfather might beexperiencing the onset of some kind of dementia. That would explain this suddenirrationality.

The older man smiled and got back to business.“You’ll have a year to explore what you want to do with your life.”

“Fine,” he snapped. His grandfather wanted togive him this opportunity. Chase had no desire to take it, but he had nochoice. “In one year I’ll be back here and you’ll be stepping aside,” hedeclared.

“I admire your spunk. You remind me of myselfat your age. We’ll see if it’s still what you want by the end of the year. Ifit’s really what you want, I’ll step aside, as I said, with no questionsasked,” Leroy promised.

They fell silent, each lost in thought as theywatched a pontoon boat motor by. His grandfather’s announcement had thrownChase for a loop. He’d expected to be named CEO, not handed a one-yeartime-out. He’d been banished from the kingdom, so to speak.

“So where will you go first?” Leroy asked.

Chase frowned. That was theworst part of this mandatory sabbatical. His life had always been mapped out.Go to college. Go to work. Become CEO. Now he’d been set adrift. He answeredhonestly, “I have absolutely no idea.”

Chapter Two

Miranda checked the road map again, tryingto figure out where she was. Getting from Chenille to Lone Pine Lake did notinvolve an interstate, and for the last several miles she’d been looking forHighway A, which according to her directions was just past a big red barn.

So far she’d seen neither barn nor road, andshe wished she’d splurged and bought one of those GPS navigators. Since shemostly took the train or the El in Chicago, she hadn’t realized how useful aGPS would be.

As it was, she was a little hesitant aboutattending today’s birthday bash. But Mr. McDaniel—Leroy, she amended; he’dinsisted she call him that—had wanted her to be there for some big announcementhe planned to make.

She rubbed the bridge of her nose andreadjusted her sunglasses. She hated being the center of attention, and prayedthe announcement wasn’t about her. She knew she’d have to get accustomed to thespotlight, especially given her new position.

---