McKettrick's Luck Read Online Free PDF

way to have dinner with McKettrick,” Nigel reminded her. They’d talked, live via satellite, during the drive between Lucky’s and the Roadhouse. “How did it go?”
    Ayanna sat serenely, crocheting away.
    â€œHe said no,” Cheyenne reported.
    â€œJust like that?”
    â€œJust like that.”
    â€œWe’re doomed.”
    â€œTake a breath, Nigel. He agreed to look at the plans—on one condition.”
    â€œWhat condition?”
    â€œI have to look at the land. Tomorrow morning. I’m meeting him at his place at 9:00 a.m.”
    â€œSo we’re still in the running?”
    â€œAnybody’s guess,” Cheyenne said wearily, moving her purse to sink into the chair herself. “Jesse’s direct, if nothing else, and as soon as he knew what I wanted, he dug in his heels.”
    â€œMaybe you shouldn’t have sprung it on him so soon,” Nigel mused. Cheyenne could just see her boss’s bushy brows knitting together in a thoughtful frown. She wondered if he’d ever considered investing in a weed eater, for purposes of personal grooming.
    â€œYou didn’t give me any other choice, remember?”
    â€œDon’t make this my fault.”
    â€œYou’ve been breathing down my neck since I got off the plane in Phoenix yesterday morning. If you want me to do the impossible, Nigel, you’ve got to give me some space.”
    â€œYou can do this, can’t you, Cheyenne?”
    She felt a surge of shaky confidence. “I specialize in the impossible,” she said.
    â€œCome through for me, babe,” Nigel wheedled.
    â€œDon’t call me babe, ” Cheyenne responded. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mother smile. “And don’t bug me, either. When I have something to tell you, I’ll be in touch—”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œGoodbye, Nigel.” Cheyenne thumbed the end button.
    Sounds of intense warfare burgeoned from Mitch’s room.
    With another sigh, Cheyenne tossed the cell phone onto a dust-free end table and rose from her chair. “You know something, Mom?” she said, brightening. “You’re amazing. You’ve been in this house for a few hours, and already it feels like home.”
    Ayanna’s eyes glittered with a sudden sheen of tears. “I want to do my part, Cheyenne,” she said. “I know you think you’re in this alone, but you’re not. You have me, and you have Mitch.”
    Cheyenne’s throat knotted up. When she spoke, her voice came out as a croak. “Speaking of Mitch—”
    Ayanna set aside her crochet project and stood, pointed herself in the direction of the kitchen, which, unlike those in the condos Cheyenne and Nigel planned to build, boasted none of the modern conveniences. “I’ll make you some herbal tea,” Ayanna said. “Might help you sleep.”
    â€œThanks,” Cheyenne said and crossed to push open the partially closed door to her brother’s room.
    Mitch sat hunched over his computer, a refurbished model, bought with money Ayanna had probably saved from the checks Cheyenne sent every payday. He seemed so slight and fragile, slouched in his wheelchair, with a card table for a desk. Once, he’d been athletic. One of the most popular kids in school.
    â€œHey,” Cheyenne said.
    â€œHey,” Mitch responded without looking away from the laptop screen.
    She considered mussing his hair, the way she’d done when he was younger, before the accident, and decided against the idea. Mitch was nineteen now, and his dignity was about all he had left.
    When the deal was done, she reminded herself, she’d buy him a real computer, like the one she’d seen at McKettrickCo when she’d stopped in looking for Jesse earlier that day. Maybe then he’d start hoping again.
    â€œI wish we could go back to Phoenix,” he said.
    She sat down on his bed. Ayanna had brought his