The Unorthodox Billionaire and His Wife

When I arrived at Grandpa's home and entered his library.I saw my older brother sitting in one of grandpa’s leather chairs in front of his large walnut colored desk. It’s been over a year since I visited my grandfather’s library. Instantly memories of him surround me from when I was a kid

Chance shook his head at me. We are alike in so many ways, we both are over six feet tall, with dark features, but we are also vastly different. Chance is wearing his usual attire, a suit, and tie, looking spiffy! Staring at me as if I have been rolling around in hay or something. I ignored him and stood beside my chair, waiting for the lawyer to appear.

My brother remarked. “I see you didn't even have the decency to dress up for this meeting. For heaven Sakes Chandler! This is reading Grandpa's Will! Not some photo shoot, for number one cowboy of the year!”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, my brother. Besides, I wore a suit for the funeral, that should be enough. I’m not putting on that contraption you seem to love wearing every chance you get. That explains why our parents named you Chance.” Chandler rebutted, smirking at his brother.

I fight back laughter as I look at my brother's clean-cut, handsome face as he stares at my slightly rugged, rebellious one. His features are dark and chiseled, holding a stern expression. As his eyes of disdain for my navy blue and red plaid shirt, dark blue jeans, and boots reminded him of the hard work, I do on the ranch. I stood with my thumb clasping my belt loop. I looked at my grandfather’s library, thinking I would miss him.

That’s when a distinguished man with close-cut silver hair and pale green eyes walks into their grandfather’s library and sits. “Good morning, you young men have my condolences. Your grandfather was a long-time friend and client of minds for years. I’m going to miss him.”

“We will, too,” Chandler replied, still mourning his loss.

“Sir, I don’t mean to rush you, but I work in the city and need to be to work in an hour,” Chance says abruptly.

“Well, let’s get right to it, shall we?” The lawyer reviewed the document's legal terms first and what they meant. He also clarified to the family the definition of a will and that it is a legal and binding document.

"A Will goes into effect after a person or persons has died. In this case, Thorn Jordan has passed away." The lawyer states.

The lawyer tells the two young men in the room. "Mr. Thorn came to my law firm after the passing of your boy's parents a few years ago. He had a new living Will drawn up at that time. And as Mr. Thorn Jordan's legal representative, he asked if I would agree to conduct the reading of the Will for him at his home two days after his funeral. So here we are on this sad occasion. The legal document expresses Thorn Jordan’s explicit directions on who will receive what of any property, material items, and funds. I have been appointed as his legal representative to carry out all his wiIs in this document regarding his land, property, business, and money."

Chandler and Chance sat up and looked at one another.

“Chance Jordan, since you are his eldest grandson, he starts with you. “Son, I was going to split the business and ranch between you and your brother. But since you turned your back on the ranch abandoning it by moving to the city, that option is gone. So I, Thorn Jordan, relinquish your care. T.J. Corporation. You are now the owner and CEO of a multibillion-dollar company. As CEO, your starting salary will be $500 million a year. And every year after, the company is audited and receives rave reviews and profits. Your salary will be increased by 100 million. If the company loses profits, your salary will be decreased by 100 million.”

Chance let out a gasp. “He’s such a tightwad!” The lawyer proceeds.

“Chandler Jordan, son, they say apples don't fall too far from the tree. And you are just like your Paw and me. What a combination! A lover and a fighter! I tolerated your father all my life. All your dad ever wanted was to be in love and work hard with his hands. I loved my son and will join him and your lovely mother. But Chandler, a word of caution and advice to you. Being a stubborn lover won't make you successful, nor being a fighter, son! You are my last hope! I realized your brother Chance is only 10% like your dad, and Chandler, you are a chip off the old block! And because of that. I will leave everything else I have to you.”

The list reads:

Jewelry valued at a million-dollar.

Two imported luxury cars, two trucks, 1 top of line Tundra truck, and 1 top of the line Mercedes SUV

Two ranch homes. The 2000 sq. ft home you reside in. And then there’s my 4000 sq. ft home.

Sixteen acres of Whispering Creek ranch, equipment, and your beloved horses.

Also, next to your brother, you will have the following amount of the most significant shares in TJ Corporation. A billion dollars will be deposited into your personal account to run Whispering Creek ranch.

"Wow!!!!" Chance utters out loud. “So he’s making you an instant billionaire!”

“That’s great!” Chandler excitedly states, thinking about all the improvements he could make at the ranch.

“Excuse me, gentleman, but I haven’t finished the Will proceedings yet. I’ll continue.

So, my youngest and tenacious grandson! I know your ears must have perked up. Good, because for you to have access to your inheritance, I put before you a wager.

Chandler hung his head, shaking it as he continued to listen.

I'm giving you exactly 90 days to show me you can handle it all, first, by working at headquarters with your brother during this time and by finding a pretty sweet thing willing to marry you and live at Whispering Creek. There are a lot of qualified gals at headquarters with pretty faces and tight waists for you to choose from. Once you find her, I want to abide by your mother's wiIs and get married at Whispering creek.”

“Wait a minute! So that means I must get married here at Whispering Creek?”

The lawyer replies that’s what his Will states. I’ll reread it if you need me to.”

“No, I heard you the first time.”

“Then I will continue.”

“There’s more?”

“Yes, your grandfather is a comprehensive man. I quote. “Yes. A real wedding a Whispering Creek! Not some citified shing-ding like your brother Chance's wedding. Chandler, you don't know that a smart and hardworking woman is why most men succeed. And your grandmother and mom were the best. So it would be best to learn how to work smart and not hard. You must also learn how to use those hands to skillfully love up on your lady. A little paperwork will help you to be at thinking ability. So Chandler, find yourself a good wife! Good Lord, man! You are almost thirty! It's not good for a man to be alone for too long. I know right now you think this isn’t fair. But, I'm being fair; three months is all you need to achieve what I require of you.”

I can't go to the city. I don't have time for this. I have too much to do at Whispering Creek. But the lawyer kept on reading his grandfather's wiIs.

“I know you think I'm a little old fart. But, I tell you what, I'm raising the stakes. Suppose you accomplish this in the allotted time. Then, I will give you one billion dollars to invest in Whispering Creek and do what you like with it, no strings attached.”

The lawyer raises a check already signed for one million dollars.

“It will make it easy for you to get a wife at headquarters once I know you have money to wine, dine, and treat her to the finer things. It'll make your offer to marry and live here at Whispering Creek more appealing. A woman wants to know you can take care of her.”

“This is a ridiculous proposition!” Chandler stood pacing agitatedly.

“Son, if you feel the stipulations are too hard. Then you don't have to take it. You can do like your older brother and walk away from everything: the farm, my money, and this proposition. But if you are smart, like I know you are, you’ll think about it because all the arrangements are ready for you to go. So you have only 24 hours to come to your senses and let my lawyer know your decision.”

"This concludes the reading of the Will," The Lawyer states.

Chance stood and began laughing. “Better you than me. I’ll happily take my inheritance over yours. I’m so glad granddad gave this old run-down ranch to you, Chandler. Even though I doubt if you can keep it, little brother.” He said, patting his brother on his shoulder as he left the library, still chuckling.

Chandler was stressed! I can’t believe my grandfather would do something like this to me. I don’t like it, but one thing his granddaddy knew about me was that I never let a challenge get the better of me. I have no plans to lose the ranch I love. Sure, granddaddy, you got me over a barrel, but not for long! Now I just have to find someone to follow this crazy idea.

I've been dealing with a lot. I lost my parents in that car accident last year, and then my brother got up and left everything on me to get married. And now grandpa Thorn has passed away, leaving me with all this while challenging me from his grave! Waves of agony assaulted me, draining what little energy I had left. To conserve my strength, I gritted my teeth and swallowed the groans. I felt trapped, twisting my face toward the sun. Finally, I got in my red and royal blue ford truck and drove away.

Once I returned to my ranch house, I could finally breathe. I thought about my mother, who always told me my name was not just a name. I named Chandler because I had never backed down from a challenge, even as a little boy. I sighed, seeking the sun's warmth, stretching toward the light. I thought hard and long while holding a mug filled with coffee I had made earlier that I had left in my truck. I looked out over the vastness of Whispering Creek. Three months didn’t leave me with much time for romantic nonsense. I had to think of the most direct route to prove I could do it. And it wasn't a bad idea that I would get my hands on a million dollars to get started.

Boy! The things I could accomplish with that money! All the things my dad dreamed about having here on Whispering Creek!

Okay, I was willing to admit I wasn't a smooth talker like my brother Chance. I was more of the slow but sure and steady but ready type of guy. But I was on a tight schedule, and I knew what kind of girl I was attracted to; I had someone in mind that would find my proposition interesting.

I sigh. I hopped in my truck to meet with the lawyer. I had a brilliant plan and couldn’t wait to tell him face-to-face. I accepted my grandfather’s challenge!