#Brideforhire

#Brideforhire-The Novel

Dedication

There is something to be said about chemistry. I believe you either have it, or you don't. It cannot be forced, and when it is lost you recognize that it cannot be replaced. This book is dedicated to all of you that believe in love at first sight.

"When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew..." -William Shakespeare

Prologue

What is the significance of time between the end of the summer and the beginning of fall? I trust it to be a promise of change, but I have always known change to be somewhat negative. The minute change has been imminent in my life something horrible soon followed.

My father, William Jackson Caldwell II, was the CEO of Caldwell Corporation. My grandfather, William Jackson Caldwell, was a major stockholder and mentor to my father. My grandfather's financial presence at the company was felt by his loyal employees and greedy board members, meanwhile, my father could feel the lack of his physical presence at home. My grandmother had passed leaving grandfather widowed just before my first birthday. His emotional and physical well- being seemed to be diminishing ever since. It was almost as if he was slowly dying of a broken heart.

My father graduated college and assumed his title as CEO of Caldwell Corporation. He then had met my mother and a few short months later they secretly eloped in a private ceremony. My father wanted to start a family right away, and so mother delivered me just one year after her wedding night. This as you must know was the finest anniversary gift for my father. A son. A boy to carry on the Caldwell name.

Grandfather and I would grow to be close over the years. I spent most of my childhood in exclusive private schools, my summers traveling with him, and occasionally with my parents. My parents took me on a business trip to Australia when I was fourteen. The trip was like a second honeymoon for them, and I was the third wheel. I couldn't wait to leave and get back to the states to hang out with my buddies. These trips were boring as we saw all the same attractions, met with the same people, and we stayed at the same villa. A complete bromide to a teenage boy, however, my parents relished in the fact that they were in love. I decided to cut the trip short and head back to the U.S. early to spend a weekend with a blonde I met at a leadership convention. What can I say? Being rich had its perks. Nevertheless, had I known it was the last time I would see my parents; I would have never left.

The police had said it was a "malfunction in the engine" during the start of the descend over the Pacific Ocean. Although their bodies were never recovered, a private ceremony was arranged to celebrate their lives. Caldwell Manor would be closed until known to me again, but as a grown man.

During the summers to come, I would learn my place at Caldwell Corporation. In the meantime, the school year was left for me to be a teenage boy. My grandfather saw a future for me; It was one that my father never spoke of. However, I would soon accept the terms of my fate.

Chapter One

Jackson

The limo pulls into the exquisite drive. I had never noticed within the last 10 years while living here how gorgeous the landscaping is to the main house. I wondered if grandfather designed it himself, as he had spent a considerable amount of time in the gardens. My driver stops under the awning at the grand entrance, and Woolsey opens my door. He addresses me as he has for 28 years, "Mr. Caldwell, good evening." I wasn't ready for what followed. "We are so sorry for the loss of your grandfather." My heart felt the fist that was holding it so tightly, that I couldn't take a full deep breath. I reply with a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Woolsey. He was a great man and will be missed by many."