Bachelor CEO

The only thing he was certain of was that his stomach had become unsettled, the turkey sitting like a lead weight. Something was wrong. He sensed a problem, knew it instinctively, as he had that day long ago when his grandparents had come to tell him his mother and father were dead.

The knowledge that whatever this was couldn’t be as severe as that announcement didn’t necessarily provide comfort.

Leroy sighed. “I’ve been unfair to you, Chase. I realized that a few months ago. You’ve always done everything I’ve asked of you.”

“It’s been no problem,” Chase assured him. “I haven’t minded.”

Leroy exhaled again, as if the conversation pained him. He shifted, lowering the footrest and leaning forward to plant both feet on the floor. He clasped his hands together. “Yes, it is a problem. One I should have stopped long ago. You should have had the freedom to make your own choices. You’ve been trapped into an endless cycle of meeting my expectations.”

Chase’s forehead creased. “You’ve lost me. I don’t meet your expectations?”

“Of course you do. You exceed them, actually. No grandfather could be prouder.”

“So what’s this about?”

“I’ve spent the last few months contemplating my mortality. I’ve always said I’d step down when I hit eighty, but I’ve had a change of heart. I think I’ll stay another year.”

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

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

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

“It’s certainly kept me busy, and that keeps my mind off other things,” Leroy corrected. One corner of his lips inched upward 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 for you.”

“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’ve always been expected to work for me at McDaniel. I’ve groomed you to fill your father’s shoes, without really asking if that’s what you wanted. Remember when you 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 the last company blood drive.”

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

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

“I chose business,” Chase protested. “I have an MBA.”

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

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

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

“Of course it is,” Chase insisted.

His grandfather conceded with a tilt of his head. “You say that now, but that’s because you’ve never been truly 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’s right 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 kicked his feet up again. “You know, I wish I’d had this opportunity. At twenty I was already running the family farm. Then I started expanding and producing, and your father was born two years after Heidi and I married. Don’t get me wrong. I loved every minute. I just want you to be sure.”

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

Chase wondered if his grandfather might be experiencing the onset of some kind of dementia. That would explain this sudden irrationality.

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 to give him this opportunity. Chase had no desire to take it, but he had no choice. “In one year I’ll be back here and you’ll be stepping aside,” he declared.

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

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

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

Chase frowned. That was the worst 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 answered honestly, “I have absolutely no idea.”

Chapter Two

Miranda checked the road map again, trying to figure out where she was. Getting from Chenille to Lone Pine Lake did not involve an interstate, and for the last several miles she’d been looking for Highway A, which according to her directions was just past a big red barn.

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

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

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

But that didn’t mean she had to enjoy it. She’d always been a private person, never wanting others to know she wasn’t quite like them. They’d known, though. In high school they’d looked down on her, called her names behind her back. In college she’d stayed out of the social scene.

Miranda squinted behind her shades, thinking she saw a big red barn looming ahead.

AFTER LUNCH WITH HIS grandfather and siblings, Chase paced the enclosed sunporch. Normally everyone retired for a siesta, but Chase had asked to talk with his brother and sisters.

“You have to help me change his mind. Please.”

“Maybe this will be a good thing for you,” Cecilia mused. She rubbed her stomach, her belly protruding with the baby due at the beginning of August.

“How can this be good?” Even after sleeping on his grandfather’s decision, Chase had woken up not liking it one bit. “He’s supposed to be retiring. He’s eighty today.”

“We know. We all sang happy birthday first thing this morning,” Chandy soothed.

“He’s not going to live forever,” Chase protested.

“And you have plenty of life left. He’s told you you’ll be CEO if you want. It’s only for one year,” Chris pointed out. His brother was the compromiser in the family, always looking for the silver lining.

“Grandpa never breaks a promise. Remember when I asked for horseback lessons? It took awhile but he didn’t forget,” Chandy said.

She’d been a toddler when their parents died, so Leroy was really the only parent she’d ever known. The youngest, Chandy had been raised like a little princess, with Leroy her hero. Because of that, Chase’s sister was blind to their grandfather’s flaws.

“This isn’t like that. He’s feeling guilty. He thinks he’s held me back from achieving my dreams, from doing the things you all did. He wants me to have a choice about being CEO, but that’s not necessary.”

“For some reason he thinks it is,” Chris said.

“But why now? I’m ready. I don’t need to go find myself.”

“Have you told him that?” Cecilia asked.

Chase dragged a hand through his hair. “Yes. But you know how stubborn he is once he’s made up his mind.”

“Well, it’s what Grandpa wants for you,” Chris replied pragmatically. He was smaller than his brother, topping out at five foot ten inches, but he had similar features. All the McDaniel children did. Blond hair was predominant and they all had blue eyes.

“Well, I want to be CEO. That’s why I need your help,” Chase tried to explain.

His siblings couldn’t understand, he suddenly realized. They’d moved out, moved elsewhere. They flew home for major holidays and family events. They phoned, e-mailed and sent cards.

Only Chase had remained in Chenille. He’d stepped into their father’s shoes and the life their father had loved. Chase had considered it an honor to have such a duty, and he’d thrived. He’d met every expectation, aside from finding a wife and having a bunch of kids. Chris had taken care of that, and Cecilia would next.

His sister reached out and put a slim hand on his arm. She’d always been tall and graceful, and even pregnant, her dancer’s body remained svelte and lean, but with a baby bump. “We can see that you’re upset. We’re not against you on this. We love you and we’ll see what we can do. We’ll all talk to him, although like you said, it probably won’t do any good. But we’ll try.”

“Thank you,” Chase said.

His sister nodded at the others. “We owe it to Chase.”

“Grandpa only wants to help,” Chandy insisted.

“Yes, but he may have misread the situation,” Cecilia replied.

She glanced through the glass dividing the porch from the great room, where her husband sat reading a book. “The guests should be arriving for the festivities sometime after four. I suggest we let Grandpa have his nap, and talk to him when he wakes up. Hopefully, he’ll spare us a minute. Walter is here already, and you know how thick those two are.”

“Once the party starts it will be absolutely impossible,” Chandy predicted.

“We’ll try to get to him before the guests arrive,” Cecilia said.

It was the best Chase could ask for. “Thanks.”

He looked out the porch windows. On the flat back lawn behind the house, the caterers had set up tents and tables, and were working on food preparation. Over ninety guests were expected.

Most of them would be staying at the nearest motel, or one of the resort cottages in the area. As for the two small guesthouses on the McDaniel estate, their grandmother’s sister was living in one for the entire summer, and this weekend Leroy’s good friend and business colleague, Walter Peters, would occupy the other. Walter had arrived earlier from Chicago, and like Leroy, was napping.

Chase had never seen the need for a siesta. He’d found that exercise always cleared his mind better than sleep.

His siblings disbanded, leaving the room and returning to other activities. Chase glanced at his watch. He had a few hours before the party started, and no desire to remain inside on such a gorgeous day.

He strode into his bedroom, stripped and donned his bike shorts and shirt. He grabbed his bike from the screened-in porch, put on his helmet and hit the rural highways. Traffic was light, and he inhaled deeply as the satisfying burn began in his legs.

During the summer he would ride at least twenty miles a day, usually doing seventy-five to a hundred miles one day each weekend. When he wasn’t coming to the lake to visit Leroy, Chase would fasten his bike to the rack on the back of his hybrid SUV, throw an overnight bag and a tent in the vehicle and head out for some new place. He was king of the campground.

The lake itself offered diversion, and Chase would often take the catamaran out. They had other watercraft as well, and maybe Sunday, once things died down, he and his siblings could go water-skiing.

Today, Chase decided to do a quick loop through the state park. He’d ride about two miles on Highway A on the return trip before turning onto the last few asphalt side roads leading back to the lodge.

He switched gears and purged his grandfather and the current debacle from his mind, tuning in to his body. For a couple hours, at least, he could be free from stress.

MIRANDA CHECKED THE CLOCK on her dashboard. Even though the birthday party didn’t start until four, and Walter had insisted most people wouldn’t show until at least five-thirty, she’d been told to arrive before three. She was going to be late.

She pulled over to the shoulder of Highway A. Once she’d found the barn and the road, she’d followed instructions and stayed on the blacktop for fifty miles. Unable to find her next turnoff, she’d driven back and forth over the same five-mile stretch at least three times. She’d finally realized that spotting the elusive road was hopeless, and had been parked for the last ten minutes trying to decide what to do.

Walter had insisted there would be some sort of sign announcing the turnoff to North Shore Drive, but so far she hadn’t seen one. In the ten years she’d worked for Walter, she’d never known him to be wrong, which made the mistake hers. She allowed herself a wistful smile. Surely he’d laugh at this foible. Walter had mentored her growth in the cutthroat world of business. He’d once told her that he’d never seen anyone work harder, which was one of the reasons he’d first noticed her and moved her into a fast-track position within the company. He’d said that as a young man he’d received a leg up from the former CEO, and felt honored to carry on the tradition.

He’d made Miranda responsible for millions of dollars and hundreds of employees. She’d proved her competency again and again.

Not that it helped her now. Venting her frustration, she pounded her hands on the steering wheel. She’d already tried her cell phone, but had no service in this neck of the woods.

She’d expected this part of Minnesota to be more like Iowa—miles and miles of open farmland. Instead she’d probably found the last old-growth pine forest in the country. So much for a “lone” pine.

She glanced in her mirror and saw a cyclist approaching. Maybe he could help. Cyclists weren’t usually muggers or rapists, right? And if the guy on the bike knew where he was going, maybe he could give her directions. Despite all the warnings to stay safely inside the vehicle with doors and windows locked, Miranda went with her gut, and stepped out of the car.

The cyclist drew to a stop next to her. He was a tall, fit man. His bike shirt clung to six-pack abs. His shoes hit the pavement with a click, and she tried not to stare at his legs. Because of his sunglasses, she couldn’t see his eyes—not that she was looking at his face, anyway.

She heard his voice, though—an incredulous demand: “What the hell are you doing here?”

CHASE HAD BEEN ALMOST back home when he’d seen the car on the side of the road. The ride had been invigorating and exactly what he needed. He’d get to the lodge, take a shower and dress for tonight’s party, all with time to spare.

He hadn’t thought much about the parked car until he’d drawn closer. Then he’d noticed the vehicle was silver, a sensible little four-door sedan…with Illinois plates.

He knew that car. He’d changed its tire. Twice in two days was more than a coincidence.

When its owner stepped from the car he’d enjoyed a glimpse of toned calf muscles under the red capri pants she wore. He’d braked, coming up next to her. And said the first thing that came to mind.

He could tell he’d surprised her, because she drew back slightly, the words of greeting dying on her lips. Man, those lips. They’d tortured him. Not as much as his grandfather’s announcement, but close enough to do some damage to his sleep.

“I’m starting to think you’re stalking me,” he said.

Her hypnotic green eyes widened farther. “Me? I don’t even know you.”

He reached up and removed his mirrored sunglasses. “We met yesterday.” Though he still didn’t know her name, he realized. “Remember?”

She exhaled, relieved at seeing him. “Chase. You scared me.”

“Do you have something to be afraid of, Ms….” He let his voice trail off.

“Miranda Craig,” she offered.

A pretty name, and not one he recognized.

“So what are you doing so far from Chenille, Miranda Craig?” He liked the way her name rolled off his tongue. “Don’t you have unpacking to do? Didn’t the moving van show up?”

“Yes, but I left it for later. I have to go to a party and I’m lost. I’m also late,” she admitted.

The quiver in her lower lip was almost indiscernible but Chase noticed the slight movement. She wasn’t so tough and suave as she tried to pretend. Being lost and late was causing her real distress.

“Where’s the party?” Chase asked, although in the pit of his stomach he already knew the answer.

“The McDaniel Lodge on Lone Pine Lake.”

“Well, you’re almost there.” He couldn’t help himself; the edge of his lip curled upward in a smile.

She crossed her arms and frowned at him, the tilt of her head the only acknowledgment that he was right. “This isn’t funny.”

“I find it that way. Here I am, rescuing you a second time. Where would you be without me?”

“Sane?” she retorted, and Chase let out a roar of laughter.

“Ah, so I drive you crazy already. That’s good to know. I’ll file it away for future reference. So you’re coming to my grandfather’s party?”

“I am. Walter Peters invited me.”

He stopped laughing then. “Walter? Don’t tell me you’re his…Is that how you got a job at McDaniel?”

Miranda glared at him as if he’d lost his mind. “That’s a sick accusation. Absolutely not. Walter’s my boss. We’ve known each other for years. He’s like a father to me, that’s all.”

“Sorry. Just checking,” Chase said, relieved.

Walter Peters and Chase’s grandfather had been friends ever since Leroy had needed a supplier for McDaniel products, and he’d joined forces with Walter and the company he worked for. Each man served on the other’s board of directors, and Leroy and Walter were constantly trading employees who needed promotions or different opportunities.

As for Miranda, Chase liked that she had fire. Most women didn’t fight back. They were too eager to please. Miranda looked as if she’d like to tell him to go to hell. She probably would, if she had any idea how to get to the lodge.

She needed him. That was the only thing giving him the upper hand. For now, he’d take any advantage he could get. She raised his adrenaline more than the thirty miles he’d just clocked.

“Are you going to help me?” she demanded.

Chase nodded. “For a price.”

“You’re crazy. I can just drive back the way I came and ask directions in town.”

“No, no.” All of Chase’s senses had heightened. The ride had made him a little heady, which must be the reason he wanted to press her against the car and ravage her mouth with his. The last mile would make for a good cooldown; his body needed one.

“I’m just saying I’ve come to your aid twice now. Don’t you think you owe me a little reward for all my trouble?” he asked.

“Someone needs to teach you some manners.”

Her lips held a little pucker, one he really liked.

“I’m teasing you, although I do plan to collect, so be warned. If you want, follow me to the turnoff, then pass me and continue on until the road curves sharply to the left. You’ll see a sign that the caterers put up, and you’ll need to turn there. Just keep following the signs. You can’t miss the tent or the parking.”

“Okay.” She seemed skeptical. “You can ride fast enough for me to follow you?”

“I’ll sprint,” he said. He put his sunglasses back on and locked his shoe into place. He grinned at her. “Be sure to keep up.”

And with that, before she could even get into her car, he took off.

CHASE MCDANIEL HAD TO BE the most infuriating man she’d ever met, Miranda decided as she put her car in gear and took off after him. He hadn’t even waited for her, just got on his bike and rode off at “sprint.” His feet were flying.

She didn’t know people could go that fast, except for maybe Lance Armstrong or one of those other racing guys. Chase could make that bike move, and she had to go a tad over the speed limit before she caught up with him. He slowed down then, and she followed at a safe distance.

Still, she got a great view of his backside. She had to admit his rear was nice. She’d seen him in a business suit and now in cycling shorts.

Naked, he was probably magnificent. He’d need a shower when he got back, and for a split second she had a vision of him standing under the spray, and her joining him….

She swallowed hard, and followed as he turned onto an asphalt road she had easily missed, since it was hardly wider than a driveway. She gave a quick wave and passed him, wanting to put distance between them.

From Chase’s demeanor, she had to assume he didn’t yet know anything about her or the scope of her new job. If he did, he probably would have ridden off and left her to find her own way.

She felt a bit guilty for not saying anything to him about her new position, but Leroy had insisted he wanted things handled his way. Miranda wasn’t fond of subterfuge, but as this was her dream job, she’d agreed.

Now on the correct road, she easily found the signs, and soon drove up to the McDaniel estate. A parking attendant waved at her, and, when he found out she was staying at one of the guest cottages, showed her where to go. She climbed out and looked around, but Chase hadn’t yet arrived.

“Ah! Miranda! There you are!” Walter boomed in greeting. She turned to find him standing on the screened porch of the cottage. “See you made it okay.”

“I got lost a few times.”

Walter’s eyes twinkled. He was sixty-nine and retiring from his company presidency in two weeks. His departure was one of the reasons Miranda had accepted the McDaniel Manufacturing job. She might not get another opportunity to move up this fast ever again, and the company wouldn’t be the same without Walter. There were also rumors of a forthcoming takeover by a competitor once Walter stepped down.

“Glad to see you made it in spite of me,” he said, giving her a quick hug. “My directions aren’t what they used to be. Heck, nothing’s what it used to be. I’ll be missing you come Tuesday.”

“You’ve only got a week or two left yourself. Then it’s off on that round-the-world cruise with your wife. Speaking of which, where is she?”

“Our granddaughter Lucy had her baby Wednesday, so we’re dividing and conquering. My wife loves Leroy, but not enough to put off holding her first great-grandchild.”

“Good for her, and congrats,” Miranda said. As she grabbed her suitcase from the trunk, she noticed Chase ride up. She watched him park the bike at the lodge and go inside without looking in her direction.

Bringing herself back to the moment, she carried her luggage inside. The cabin was small, with a living room–kitchen combination, shared bath and two bedrooms. Miranda didn’t plan to stay long. She’d return to Chenille in the morning and spend Sunday afternoon and Memorial Day in her new apartment. She’d slept there last night, but the place hadn’t yet felt like home. She had a lot of unpacking and other work to do before that happened. Not that any place had ever felt like home after her parents died.