“I must pass on ownership and presidency of the Centennial shipping line. And it must go to an Ascariot.”
John shot up from his chair, knocking it over. His heart skipped a beat. Anderson met his eyes.
Is this what you really want?
John remembered his friend’s words.
He felt panicked. He was instantly drenched in sweat. All these months—years of planning and it was coming to this. This moment. This day. He clenched and unclenched his fists. His breath was ragged. Suddenly everything was hot—too hot.
What about traveling? What about lying on his couch?
couch
John felt dizzy.
Something drew his attention toward the left and he saw the elder Mrs. Longhorn and remembered the plans they had made. She was watching him, love in her eyes.
“For a long time, I wondered about the most a
