Megan's Secret

By H. David Campbell

Megan had wealthy grandparents. They lived on The McCallum Estate, a vast property with beautiful grounds all around their large mansion. It had flower beds, trees, shrubs, and pools of water with fountains.
The McCallum mansion had a movie theater, swimming pool, fitness room, billiards room, library, a large ballroom, family room, and many large bedrooms and bathrooms. Megan always had fun when visiting her grandparent’s mansion.
When Megan was growing up, she had a grandfather who loved her so much. She was very close to him. He rocked her when she was a baby, and helped her with her school work when she was older.
One day when she was seven, he discovered something about her that surprised him. He told Megan that she must never, ever tell anyone about what he found out about her. It must be kept a secret.
What could this secret be that no one could never know about her?
Also discover how Megan got involved with horses.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jun 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781663240552

H. David Campbell

H. David Campbell is a retired sales executive. He is a grandfather and a great grandfather. He worked in the public schools as a volunteer for twenty years, helping kids with their reading. These books are for kids who are eight to twelve years old. He hopes that the kids will continue to enjoy reading his books.

Book preview

Megan’s

Secret

H. David Campbell

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MEGAN’S SECRET

Copyright © 2022 H. David Campbell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

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except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-4053-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-4054-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-4055-2 (e)

iUniverse rev. date:  05/26/2022

Contents

Chapter 1   The Beginning Years

Chapter 2   The McCallum’s Growing Family

Chapter 3   Megan’s New Friend

Chapter 4   Megan Learns Math

Chapter 5   Megan’s New Dog and Learning About Horses

Chapter 6   Grandpa’s Big Problem

Chapter 7   Megan Shows Kindness

Chapter 8   Changes Coming

Chapter 9   Grandpa’s Gift to Megan

Chapter 10   Megan’s Aunt

Chapter 11   Trouble on the Yacht

Chapter 12   Megan’s New Horse

Chapter 13   A Surprise Announcement

Chapter 14   Rose, the New Horse, and the Baby

Chapter 15   Vacationing with Karrie’s Family

Chapter 16   Megan’s New Middle School

Chapter 17   A New Friend for Megan

Chapter 18   What Happened to Rose?

Chapter 19   The New Baby, What’s Her Name?

Chapter 20   Megan is Learning Geometry

Chapter 21   Megan’s Thirteen!

Chapter 22   Grandmother McCallum

Chapter 23   Trouble at the Race Track

Chapter 24   Megan’s Mediterranean Cruise

Chapter 25   What’s Next for Megan?

Chapter One

The Beginning Years

In Springfield, Illinois, in the 1940s, there was a family called the McCallum’s. Their names were Miles and Hannah McCallum. Miles owned ‘McCallum Financial Advisors.’

Miles and his wife, Hannah, traveled the world. They also belonged to the Springfield Country Club, to which most of the wealthy people in town belonged. They attended the county club two or three nights a week when they were in town. Miles also loved to play golf with his friends.

Hannah McCallum was busy with her rich friends attending teas and playing bridge and was involved with many other things as well. She also played golf with her lady friends. Hannah helped organize the annual charity ball held in the large ballroom at the McCallum’s Estate Mansion.

After, they had a son, who they named Monroe. They knew they would be gone and out of town throughout the year, so they hired a nanny named Kate to care for him until he was thirteen. Afterward, Elsie, their cook, and her husband Melvin would look after Monroe.

When Monroe was growing up, his father taught him as his father had taught him that he must earn some or most of the money for the things he wanted. He didn’t wish Monroe to be like his other rich friends.

Monroe enjoyed the big mansion as he grew up because it had many fun things to do. Kate, his nanny, made sure he was loved because he didn’t see his parents often. Monroe always tried to help the housekeepers, and Elsie, their cook. She never minded Monroe being in her kitchen. Monroe also loved being outside, helping Melvin with his garden.

Monroe was smart and excelled in almost everything he did. When he entered high school, he dated some. Later, as Monroe entered college, he didn’t date much; there just weren’t any girls he was fond of, at least not yet. Monroe finished college in only two and a half years and completed his master’s degree in half the usual time.

Shortly after Monroe finished college, he joined his father’s company, ‘The McCallum Financial Advisors.’ Monroe’s grandfather Daniel McCallum had started the company many years before and had made his business a remarkable success by making the right investment choices.

It seemed the time was passing by so quickly. Monroe now had worked for his father for three years. He enjoyed working with investments. Monroe did get involved with playing golf and occasionally attended the Springfield Country Club with his parents.

Monroe hoped to find that special girl who didn’t date him because he was rich. Almost everyone in town knew the McCallum family, which made it hard for Monroe to find the right girl.

One day when Monroe had finished his day’s work, his father came to him, Monroe, I wish to discuss something with you. Let’s go out and have a nice supper. Where would you like to go, son?

Anywhere is fine with me. Dad, is there anything wrong?

No, son, everything is fine.

Monroe knew that his father’s health wasn’t good and wondered what he wanted to discuss.

As they were eating, his father related what it was that he wanted Monroe to know.

Son, your mother and I have been discussing about me retiring.

He continued, Monroe, I’ve been watching you for these last three years, and you are more than qualified to be the new president. My vice president, Mr. Goodman, and others will assist you with whatever you need.

Dad, I’m only twenty-six. I’m not qualified to run your business yet!

Your mother and I decided it was time to enjoy life with some of our wealth. We’ve purchased a big home in Fort Meyers, Florida, and also a big yacht to enjoy during various other times of the year. We hope you will visit our home in Florida often when we’re there, or anytime you wish.

I’ve hired a couple to look after our Florida home; of course, they will live there. Their names are Ward and Silvia Bernstein.

He continued, Ward will look after hiring landscapers to keep everything looking its best. He will also pick us up and return us to the airport in the limousine that we have provided him. Silvia will make sure the house is always clean; when she knows we’re coming, she will hire maids to clean the entire house.

Dad, it seems that you have thought of everything!

Silvia will also cook for us if there are no more than five of us; otherwise, she will hire some help for the kitchen to help her. We have also provided a car for Silvia. The house has a four-car garage for extra fun cars we may wish to have.

He continues, Monroe, we’ve wanted to travel more in Europe and other great places that we have never been able to as much as we would like. Now we will be able to do that.

You really think I’m ready to run your business, Dad?

Yes, son, you have successfully made a lot of money for yourself. You will take over as President as of today. I, however, will still be on the Board of Directors. Mr. Goodman will stay and remain as vice president.

Dad, I’d like to visit your home in Florida, but I have no one to go with me. I’d love to travel as you and mother do, but I sure don’t want to go alone. I haven’t been able to find my soul mate.

Monroe did go down to his parent’s home in Florida a few times. He enjoyed meeting Ward and Silvia and thought they would do a good job looking after their Florida home. While in Florida, he enjoyed going for short trips on their beautiful yacht. My father always enjoyed inviting people from his work to visit his Florida home.

It was a tough time for Monroe, with his parents gone most of the time. He now lived in the big mansion all by himself, except for their cook, Elsie, and her husband, Melvin Lewis. They had been employed by his parents even before he was born.

Melvin was responsible for hiring landscapers to mow the vast lawns in their McCallum estate. The landscapers trimmed the bushes and cared for the large flower beds. At times, Melvin liked working with the landscapers. Melvin also had a large garden in the back of the estate that he enjoyed working on primarily by himself.

The estate mansion also had two housekeepers, Tina and Lois, who kept the house in perfect order, so Monroe wasn’t completely alone in the big mansion when he was home during the day, which wasn’t very often.

One evening when Monroe came home, he went to the kitchen where Elsie was just finishing putting his dinner together. Elsie, now that my parents are traveling a lot more, I’m very lonely. I know you and your husband Melvin love your little cottage in the back of the estate, but would you consider living in the mansion and having your evening meals with me?

I surely see how sad you’ve seemed since your parents are gone so much, Monroe. Let me talk to Melvin about your proposal, and I’ll let you know tomorrow.

The following day Elsie related to him, We’d be happy to come and live in the mansion and have dinner with you. I’m sure your parents won’t object to having us live in the mansion with you, Monroe. I know you would feel safer knowing that there is someone to call on if you would ever need us.

That would be great, Elsie! I love you and Melvin almost as much as my parents!

Monroe, you need to get married! Start dating more, and you will find that special someone, commented Elsie.

Elsie, I’ve been overwhelmed by women trying to date me, and I know why. It’s because I’m wealthy. I want a girl to love me, not my money.

A few days later, he took a long lunch and went to the lovely Lincoln Park, which was nearby, just to think. It was fall, and the leaves were turning. It was a perfect day, and it was Monroe’s favorite time of the year. He had brought some feed for the many pigeons that were always there. As he sat on a bench in the park, a girl came and sat on the same bench with him.

Hi, I’m Bonnie. May I join you? I’ve also brought some feed for the pigeons.

Yes, please do. I’m Monroe. Do you work around here?

Yes, just down the street in the Hamilton Building. I’m a secretary for the Addison Paper Company.

She then continued, I moved here just three weeks ago. I came here from Chicago. I hate big cities, so I thought I’d like living in a smaller town like Springfield.

Monroe looked at Bonnie. She was perfect, he thought. They then continued their conversation. I work as a financial advisor. Bonnie, since you are new to Springfield, would you like to go to dinner with me sometime this week?

Well….I’ve just met you, Monroe. No one has asked me out since I’ve been here. Yes, Monroe, I will have dinner with you. How about tonight? Maybe that would be too soon.

No, Bonnie, that would be great! Do you live close to where you work?

I do, Monroe. See the building down the block that has reddish brick. That’s where I live in the Bradberry Apartments, number 646.

She then wrote her address and phone number down for him. Is 7:00 p.m. okay?

Yes, Bonnie, that’s perfect. See you tonight at 7:00 p.m.

At dinner that evening, they found out many things about each other. Bonnie told Monroe, "When I was only two, my mother got sick and died. I had a sister, Belle, who was eight years older than