Other Books by Barbara Ferrier
Kalendra Chronicles – Book One
Hidden Magic
Kalendra Chronicles – Book Two
The Ancient City Emerges
Kalendra Chronicles – Book Three
Broken Magic
Kalendra Chronicles – Book Four
Ancestors Return
Copyright 2021
Barbara Ferrier
All rights reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Names, Places, characters and incidents are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. All Rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without express written permission of the copyright holder.
Book Cover: SelfPubBookCovers.com/ Joetherasakdhi
Editor: Leonora Bulbeck
Formatter: Nola Li Barr
To my three daughters, whose support and
Encouragement has made all the difference. Thank you.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Thank you for reading my books!
About the Author
Chapter 1
Kris looked at the clock. Midnight. He had to leave for work in six hours. As he lay down, Kris closed his eyes and felt himself fall for an exceptionally long time until he landed in a deep sleep. He stood in the hallway of his childhood home.
Eight-year-old Kris was dressed in his most formal clothes.
“My young lad,” his father said, with a welcoming smile. He wore his finest silk vest over a crisp white shirt, the sleeves rolled-up. “Please come in. We have important business today.”
Kris walked into his dad’s large, round office that overlooked the lake.
“Please.” His father gestured. “You are my guest of honor today.”
As Kris sat at the solid walnut desk his dad filled two tumblers with iced tea. He passed one to Kris. Then he raised his glass into the air.
“The world is waiting for you, Kris,” he said with a sly grin. “I understand you are still a boy right now. I know you can keep a secret and a promise. For that I am immensely proud. I trust you will remember your promise when the time comes.” His father looked him in the eyes.
Kris nodded enthusiastically with wide eyes.
“I need to make an important request. You see, life gets demanding and we all get caught up … which is good … but” he said pointing his index finger into the air, “danger lurks. You can get so caught up you forget to live. I promise you, my son, your life will change when you travel alone and meet people from many backgrounds. You’ll learn to see the world through a variety of lenses and know what’s possible in your own life.”
He stood and walked across the room to the view window overlooking the lake, then spread his arms broadly to present his office in a gesture of pride and excitement.
He knelt and met his son at eye level. “May I tell you a story?”
Kris nodded.
“I did everything that was asked of me. I was as dedicated as I knew how, absorbed as much opportunity as I could. By the time I finished my education, I had choices. No sooner had I blinked than I was offered the chance to become partner … but inside something was wrong. I should have been as happy for myself as other people were for me, don’t you think? I wasn’t excited, not even a little.”
He and Kris met eyes.
“My opportunities were a privilege, and I couldn’t complain. But I knew I was going to suffocate like a fish out of water. I felt pressure to ignore all personal costs involved.” He turned to his son in despair. “I didn’t know what to do, Kris. I didn’t want to burn bridges, but every time I considered the offer, I felt intense dread. Nightmares whenever I slept.”
“I didn’t have a confidant—you know, a friend I could trust to talk. I finally spoke to a gentleman I knew on the bus. He was older than me, and thankfully, he understood my dilemma. He suggested I forecast the consequence of each choice and then make your decision. ‘No one can do that for you.’
“I packed my suitcase and got ready to leave. My bag sat in the front hall closet for weeks. I avoided making a commitment and weighed my decision, then made my choice. I traveled alone for eleven months, allowed the winds to take me wherever they blew. After a while I knew what I wanted. I was ready to go home.”
He refilled Kris’s iced tea. “You see, I had discovered pieces of what I wanted, and that was enough. I was kinder and more patient. I didn’t have regrets.
His dad took an old carved wooden box off his bookcase and placed it in the middle of his desk. “I have a special present for you,” he said. Kris’ eyes were wide.
He opened the lid slowly, then lifted the one-way ticket stub to London from his trip and held it up as if it were as fragile as glass. It flashed brightly in Kris’s eyes.
“This ticket is your invitation to create a new chapter in your life when the time comes. I heartily recommend it.” His father smiled broadly at him, then became solemn and placed the ticket stub in his son’s hand. “It’s never too late, Kris. Promise me you’ll remember.” Then his father looked deeply into his eyes and raised his glass. The two toasted.
Kris woke, looked at the clock, and saw he’d overslept. Frantically he raced to work, grabbed a bagel and coffee on the way into the office, ran to his desk, and closed the door. He sat in his chair and closed his eyes, trying to recall his dream.
Did my dad ask me to intervene in my future? He sat back.
As he finished his coffee, Kris realized he felt different inside. He witnessed his hands typing the words “plane ticket to Paris.” He couldn’t go now. He had two proposals to finish and his calendar was booked solid. His hand reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. Then his fingers typed his credit
