Read Online Unbidden Love (Book Five of the Bidden Series) by Crystal Cierlak - Free Book Online

whatsoever."
    "What? Why?"
    Audra's eyes rolled to the ceiling briefly before focusing on the ground at Natalie's feet in a contemplative gaze. "He has very different ideas about how a company should be run. James does not share many of these, but he trusts him. While we have traditionally had a more hands-on approach, Jackson is comfortable managing from a distance."
    "I always had the impression that James did not like his father very much," Natalie said, crafting an image in her mind of the senior and junior Fitzgeralds standing side-by-side. Even in her imagination they intimidated her. "Why not just leave the company to you while he is gone? Why bring his father in at all?"
    "Jackson is intelligent, intuitive, immensely successful..." Audra rattled off as though she were counting the points out on her fingers. It was the unspoken, however, that Natalie minded. If anything, Audra sounded diplomatic, as though her opinions really lived in the realm of personal though they were dressed in the tone of a professional.
    "A lot of people are intelligent, intuitive and successful," Natalie replied dryly.
    Some unspoken thought darkened Audra's face. "James trusts his father."
    It was those particular words left unspoken that were now very loud and obvious to Natalie: James doesn't trust Audra . Rather than leave his half of the company in the hands of his partner of many years, he would bring in a man whom he did not particularly like, who had a different mindset for business, but whom James trusted in spite of all that.
    And it was all because of her . Because of Natalie.
    "... still working out the details and itinerary. Natalie?"
    Natalie snapped out of her thoughts and focused on Audra's inquisitive glare. "Sorry, what were you saying?”
     
     
    “Alice, hi. It’s James.”
    “Mister Fitzgerald!” his assistant exclaimed through the phone. “What a wonderful surprise to hear from you today.”
    James smiled at her uncharacteristically effusive tone as he leaned back into his chair in the home office. “How are things, Alice?”
    “Things are just fine, Sir. Were you calling to speak with your fath-, I mean, with Mister Fitzgerald?”
    “Please.”
    “One moment, Sir,” she said before the line went momentarily silent. Soft piano music began trilling in his ear, like modern muzak in an elevator. He waited patiently as the dulcet tones played on.
    “Mister Fitzgerald is currently on a call on your-, I mean on the private line. He said it would only be a moment.”
    “Thanks, Alice.” He had a second thought. “Is Audra in by chance?”
    “Yes, but she is occupied in her office with Miss Harlow.”
    James’ breath caught in his throat. “Natalie’s there?”
    “Yes, Sir.”
    He did not know why he was surprised. Every Fitson office had dedicated space for Natalie and all of the Gallo Harlow employees working on the Fitson account. It was his own idea to dedicate the space to them.
    “Would you like me to connect you, Mister Fitzgerald?” Alice asked.
    Yes. No. “No, thank you Alice. I’ll wait for my father.”
    “He is off the line now. I’ll transfer you, sir.”
    “Thanks Alice,” James said before the line clicked over.
    “Well this is a pleasant surprise. Are you calling to check up on me, Son?”
    Not even a phone call spanning a distance of over three thousand miles could make Jackson Fitzgerald sound any less intimidating. Even to his own son.
    “I was just curious how things were going.”
    “Everything is fine, Son. You needn’t worry. How is my grandson doing?”
    James resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “He is great, Dad. Sleeps, eats, poops and cries. Perfectly normal.”
    “Good. I am looking forward to seeing both of my grandchildren when you fly out this weekend.”
    “Uh, actually we have not finalized our travel plans yet, Dad.”
    “You may want to consult with Celine, Son. She emailed a copy of your moving itinerary this morning. I would not have guessed you were