Chapter 38 Uncle Nate's Legacy
Julia meets with William and Joseph, his assistant at the Café for breakfast. Julia asks Bill is they can meet later in his office and they agree. William and Joseph finish all the paperwork for the ideas that Julia has before she meets with Bill. At the meeting Julia with William's help goes over her proposal with Bill. He is astounded at the thought and breadth of the proposal. He asks a couple legal questions. Julia says "can we start this here in Hope Valley or do I have to go to Cape Fullerton". Bill replies "I would suggest that the first part is done in Cape Fullerton courts and the second part could be done either here or in Cape Fullerton. Once you file the paperwork if you like I can call the judge and talk with him." They plan on a course of action. Once everything is decided Julia says now we should tell Nathan. "Are you ready for this Julia" Bill asks—"this is an enormous change" Nathan does not need to approve this as he owns none of this. Julia says, "He owns none of this, but I want to take care of this now and move forward with my plan as this needs to be done for the future."
Bill asks Nathan to come to his office. When he arrives he finds Julia with Bill. He seems surprised, but his Mountie training kicks in and he sits back to listen. Julia, says "Nathan I have been reviewing what I can do with Regan Industries. I understand your concerns about the company and I respect your decision that you are not interested in running the company now or in the future." Nathan does say "I appreciate your faith in me that I could do this, but it is not in my heart to do so". Julia says "Really I know Nathan. After much thought and research and help from William I have decided to sell the company. The new owner has pledged to continue to keep the current employees and is interested in expanding the manufacturing base. Nate's patents will remain Nate's patents, the new owners may use them but we still retain royalty rights"
Nathan is stunned by her statements. "Aunt Julia please don't do this because of me if you want to keep the company please do" he states. "No Nathan, I want this settled so I am going to sell the company. With the proceeds from the sale we are going to establish the Regan Charitable Foundation. That means the money will be invested and we will use the interest generated to make charitable gifts. I think my Nate would be very happy about that. It will take time and work to sell off the company and establish the Foundation. I have some ideas of how the foundation would be established and I would like you to be one of the trustees of the foundation. It shouldn't take that much time for you. I am thinking we can run the Foundation from Hope Valley. With some of the money I would like to offer some upgrades to Hope Valley which is one of the reasons I met with a variety of the townspeople to see what needs and wishes they had for the town." Julia states.
Nathan is clearly moved and he stands and goes to Julia and takes her hands and says "I think this a wonderful way to honor you and Uncle Nate. You both have been so good to so many people but you have been exceptional to me and Colleen. I can't tell you how much this means to me to have this decided. You have been more than generous to Allie and me, what a wonderful idea to help others. Of course I will help with the Foundation." With that he hugs her and Julia has tears trickle down her cheeks. Composing herself she says "Nathan I have consulted with several lawyers and Judge Avery about this. You do know that you will be giving up a large estate that would have come to you and Allie?" Bill speaks up and says "I am pretty sure you understand this, but we just want to ensure you know the impact to you" Nathan directs his remarks to Julia, "You and Uncle Nate have been more than generous to me and to Allie please don't worry about this at all. This makes me so happy". Turning to Bill he says, "Is there something I should sign to show that?" Bill says "Legally no there is no need, but morally Julia wanted to confirm you understand." Nathan asks "Does my mother know Julia". "Well not exactly," Julia replies
Bill says "How about I close the Café and you all come to dinner tonight and we can announce it". Nathan agrees and they tell him to bring Elizabeth and Little Jack as well. With hugs all around Nathan leaves. Bill says "He really is a one of a kind guy Julia. He is so humble and unassuming he doesn't want all this money, he just wants a normal life". Julia says "My Nate never wanted all this either, it just happened"
