HAPPY TURKEY DAY!

Short chapter, but necessary.

Enjoy

Character is revealed in the little things – who you are when no one is watching.

God's Best for Your Success

I Surrender All

CHAPTER 8

The next morning, Erik was again up earlier than anyone else was. He made his way to the kitchen and decided to cook breakfast for them all. He was a rather good cook, when he chose to eat.

He found the flour, eggs, sugar and vanilla and whipped up a large batch of pancakes. He fried bacon and sausage and even made buttermilk biscuits.

The household awoke to the heavenly smell and immediately made their way downstairs – one by one. Audrey was the first followed closely by Meg. Both women stood at the door amazed by the sight they saw.

Erik stood with his back to them flipping the pancakes. He had dressed casually this morning, in a style that nobody had ever seen him in, except him. He wore plain black breeches that fit him tightly, a white short-sleeved shirt and no shoes. His black hair was loose and hung down to the top of his collar.

Audrey and Meg quietly raked their eyes over the fine outline of Erik's wonderful body through the clothes he had on. Then, he turned around and caught them looking, but had no idea that he was the object of their adoring eyes, and not the breakfast he had prepared.

"What? I can cook you know. How do you think I have managed to survive all these years?" Erik retorted as Christine walked in followed by Roland.

Now, if they thought the backside of Erik was stare worthy; when he turned around, their mouths went agape and their hearts stopped beating. His shirt was half-open down the front, revealing a sculptured, washboard abdomen sprinkled with dark hair, broad shoulders that were no longer buried underneath layers of fine cloth, but were every bit as impressive without the added girth.

His jet-black hair was loose and wavy, framing his handsome face in an angelic manner, making him the dark, dashing, swashbuckling hero of the romantic novels that Christine and Meg read.

Every female in the room was awestruck by his beauty. Where had he been? They knew he was handsome…but this! He was breathtaking!

"If you continue to stare, I am going to have a complex about cooking…and we all know that the last thing I need, is another complex." Erik jested, smiling as he carried a plate full of fluffy, mouthwatering pancakes to the immaculately dressed table. He was completely unaware of the focus of their admiration.

All were seated at the table enjoying the breakfast when Raoul knocked on the door. Christine answered the door and showed him into the kitchen. Erik winced at the entrance of his adversary, not feeling at all comfortable with having him in the same room. Erik doubted he would ever be able to tolerate Raoul's presence; it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Of course, realistically, he knew there would always be someone better than him in the eyes of a woman…so he needed to get over this feeling of betrayal; he had done it to himself by thinking he could actually win the affections of a woman.

"Erik, I have to go purchase the tickets to get back to the states. Do you think you can be ready to go by 1 p.m.?" Roland was anxious to get going.

Erik felt his stomach lurch at the prospect of leaving France and all that he had ever known…but it had to be done. His tone was even as he answered, "Yes, I can be ready, I am not taking much with me."

Roland fetched his hat and cane, left the house, and headed for the train station. Erik turned to Audrey and released a burden, "I do not desire to keep the mansion and lands that were my parents. I intend to start new in America. I took the liberty of signing over the mansion and all lands to you, Audrey. You may do with it what you wish."

Audrey was speechless. Erik had just made her a very wealthy woman. There was not way to thank him for this remarkable gift.

"Erik, I cannot accept this…it is too much." Audrey breathed.

Erik lifted his hand to silence her. "Audrey, you gave me a chance to live when no body else would give me the time of day…I owe you everything." Erik's tone left no room for discussion.

She left her chair and approached his impervious figure. She wrapped her arms around his slender waist and hugged him gently to her. Erik had always tried to keep his distance from her, not giving into the brotherly love he felt toward her. But now, he felt she deserved to know the true depth of his feelings.

"Audrey, you have been like a sister to me since you rescued my scrawny hide twenty years ago. I love you deeply…I know I should have let you hear those words years ago…but they do not come easily." Erik returned her hug as he spoke, not seeing the large tears that inched down her cheeks.

"I know Erik…I love you too." Audrey said, trying to hide her tears by burying her face in his chest.

Erik heard the emotion in her voice and lifted her face so that he could look into her large, brown eyes. He placed a brotherly kiss upon her forehead, being unsure as to why that gesture brought a lump to his throat.

He pulled away from her went upstairs to put what few items he possessed in his bag. He had contacted his accountant earlier and asked him to bring the extent of his wealth to him along with the amount from his inheritance.

Oliver Pascal, Erik's accountant, stopped by about an hour later; he had never actually meant Erik in person before, and was anxious to make his acquaintance.

Erik sat beside him at the table going over the figures with him. Oliver noted that this mysterious man had quite a head for investment and figures; his wealth had increased drastically in the years that Oliver had been keeping the books.

"It would seem, Monsieur Clairvaux, that you are among the five wealthiest men in France, even without the mansion and lands…but may I add that you are the youngest man with this much money. Your fortune surpasses 800 million francs." Pascal was in awe at the sizable amount of Erik's wealth, and he was only 30 years old!

Erik did not seem impressed or disappointed; rather, he seemed stoic and unaffected by his wealth. Money had never really done him any good, so he did not allow it to rule his life.

"I will hate to lose you as a client Monsieur Clairvaux. You are a fair and wise man. Enjoy your new home." Oliver left Audrey's home wishing that Erik had asked him to be his personal accountant, but that did not happen.

Erik tucked all the paperwork and the bank check in his business satchel and finished packing. He would have to find an accountant and bank when he got to America. He had requested that Oliver bring him 100 thousand francs for the trip…with that request filled and his packing done, he was ready to go.

He headed downstairs and laid his bag by the door, ready to leave when the time came. He walked back into the parlor and sat down at Audrey's piano. His fingers tinkled across the keys, a delightfully light tune being the result. It was not a song, just some notes that Erik threw together to make sound…but the sound was remarkable.

Christine, Meg, and Audrey all stood mesmerized by the sound Erik was making, Roland came by and stood and listened. He was taken aback at the deft skill that Erik possessed; he had never heard such perfection.

Christine just stood there and cried…she would never hear this again nor see this marvelous man perform his heavenly music again. The loss was piercing…and personal. She knew that he was leaving mainly to get away from her and the memories he had of her.

She approached his strong back and gently touched his shoulder, feeling him stiffen at her touch, "Don't stop Erik…I have never heard anyone play like you do…you captivate me." Christine tried to sound steady, but her voice wavered.

Erik stood up and backed away from the piano, he looked at her through concerned eyes, "Why ever are you crying, child?" He looked at his pocket watch and noted the time…it was time for him and Roland to leave.

Christine wiped her eyes and sniffled. He was so…consuming and intoxicating. Her voice was cracking with emotion, "I will miss you Erik…you are my soul." Her tears were indolent and slow.

"Nonsense child, you will soon forget about me." Erik smiled weakly, "You will soon be so wrapped up in all the functions of being the wife of a nobleman, that you will have time for little else…besides, you gave up all that I gave to you, for love…" Erik bowed his head, noticing Raoul watching at the door, his voice filled with longing, "…and after having just a taste of what love is…I cannot blame you."

Erik pulled her to him for a rare, initiated hug and released her immediately… "Good-bye Christine…carve your own path, and make it worth all that you lose along the way." Erik turned from her, hugged Meg and Audrey briefly, having already said his good-byes to them, and left. He did not bother to say good-bye to Raoul, but did nod his head in retreat.

Three crying women and one lost man stood at the door and watched as Erik left their lives. Roland and Erik never looked back…the future waited.

To Be Continued…