Following Your Heart (Love Conquers All) Read Free Page A

Bahamas.  It would be pointless to start a new project, because she wouldn't be able to finish it before she left.  She leaned back in her chair and yawned loudly; this day couldn't go any slower.  “Am I interrupting?”
    She jumped when she heard her boss' voice at her door.  “Oh...Mr. Bishop...” she giggled nervously, “I...uh...was just...” she then shook her head, there was no use she was busted.  “May, I help you?”
    He laughed as he came in and took a seat on the other side of her desk.  “Cassie, we've known each other for Almost 6 years now...please, call me Jim.”
    She blushed, but then nodded.  “Okay...Jim, may I help you?”
    “There, that's better.  I see you have all your work done, and you're probably anxious to get out of here.  Where are you going?”
    “On a cruise to the Bahamas.  I've never been on a cruise, so I'm pretty excited.”
    “That's understandable.  My wife and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon; that was nearly 30 years ago, my how time flies.”
    Cassie looked at him for a moment; she was sure he didn't come in here to discuss previous vacations.  “It sure does,” was her simple reply.
    He cleared his throat and then chuckled, “I'm sorry; it just makes me remember being young and in love.  I'm assuming you're going with a boyfriend?”
    Cassie looked away; she was sure he would be able to see how uncomfortable she was.  “I...yeah...Chad.”  She had never held a meaningful conversation with him; he didn't hang around the office much.  He did a lot of traveling and so she really didn't know how to handle their interaction.
    “Well, I'm sure you will both have a fabulous time.  If you're done here, you're more than welcome to leave.”
    “Really?  It's only 11:30.”
    “I know, but I'm sure that you could use some time to finish packing or just take some time for yourself.  I'm okay with that.”
    “Well, thank you Mr...I mean Jim.”
    He got up and started to leave, but then turned back around, “Before you leave...I do have something to tell you.”
    Cassie wasn't shocked, she was just glad he was finally getting around to why the sudden interest in her life.  “Okay...”
    “You see, I have decided that I am going to take an early retirement.  My wife has been bothering me to spend more time with the family and since I'm not getting any younger I decided to take that leap.”
    “Jim...I'm sorry to hear that.”  The fact was he was always a reasonable boss to have and she was worried about the person that would take his place.
    “It's for the best, our family lives in California and we're going to go back to that side of the country.”
    “Well, I wish you the best.”  She paused for a moment, “Do you know who will be your replacement?”  She bit her lip, worried about the tyrant that she would soon have to deal with.
    A smile slowly crossed his face, “Actually, I was hoping you would accept the job.  As you know, it requires a lot of travel and it can place a pressure on a person's personal life.  It also has a lot to offer a person.  You're young and you have so much to offer to the business of Advertising.  It would be an honor if you would consider taking the position.
    Cassie's mouth dropped open, “I don't know what to say.”  She didn't really even know that Jim Bishop thought of her as someone capable to do his job.
    “I know that it's a huge decision.  I don't plan on leaving until the end of the year.  Take these two weeks and think about it.”
    Cassie nodded and as he was about to reach the door, she realized she didn't need to think about it.  “Wait Jim,” when he turned back around she smiled.  “I don't have to think about it.  I would love to accept the job.  Thank you for thinking about me.”
    He laughed and gave her a wink.  “You deserve it.  Now, go and enjoy your vacation.  When you get back, then we'll begin the training.”
    “Does everyone else know that you're leaving?”
    “I'm