Worth the Risk Read Online Free PDF Page A

you’re earning money. What use is geometry and history?”
    â€œIt’ll help you get into college.” They’d been down this road too many times to count.
    â€œSo I can end up like you, with a master’s and nothing interesting to do with it?”
    Lexi hoped the anger that surged inside her didn’t register on her face. Amber was baiting her, and reacting would just encourage her sister. She repeated her usual explanation. “A college degree will give you more options. If you settle for being a cook without a college education, you may end up slinging hash at a drive-through fast-food joint. Would you like that?”
    â€œMaybe,” Amber huffed.
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    Brad hesitated outside the old Victorian house. This couldn’t be City Seeds. The home was in one of Houston’s oldest areas. It was in the DMZ between a lower-middle-class district and a neighborhood overrun by gangs and the homeless. Once the neighborhood had belonged to the city’s elite, but over time people had moved to more desirable enclaves. Most of the homes had subsequently been split up to accommodate multiple families.
    He checked the address on the note he’d written. This was the right place. He assumed its large backyard was intact or there wouldn’t be room for a garden.
    When he rang the bell, he heard a girl yell that she would get it. Amber, he guessed. The door swung open.
    â€œOh my gosh!” she cried. “What are you doing here?”
    Before Brad could answer, Lexi appeared in cutoffs and a faded navy blue T-shirt. A sexy outfit, but he doubted she realized it.
    â€œMr. Westcott?” she said, obviously not thrilled to see him.
    Lexi had been on his mind a lot since he’d met her, but he’d been so busy at work that he hadn’t found a chance to see her again. Finally he’d hired another sous-chef, a woman this time.
    â€œI’ve heard such good things about City Seeds that I thought I’d come see for myself.”
    â€œThat’s great,” gushed Amber, but Lexi didn’t look too pleased. “I’ve come up with a winner of a dessert for the contest.”
    â€œReally?” It took a second for him to recall that the contest’s preliminary round was next week. “That’s wonderful.”
    Lexi moved around her younger sister. “What sort of vegetables are you interested in?”
    Brad shrugged. “I’m not sure. I’m creating several new dishes for the summer menu.”
    â€œThis way,” Lexi said as she walked by him.
    They headed down the front steps then followed a stone path around the old Victorian. Amber trailed behind them. He watched Lexi move and decided she was one of those women who could be provocative without trying. Something he found extremely appealing.
    Lexi unlocked a metal gate then swung it open to reveal a lush backyard full of plants and vines. There didn’t seem to be an inch that wasn’t under cultivation. Rows and rows of plants covered the ground. Long containers were set on stepped racks that lined the fence, creating space where there was very little. Ingenious, he thought.
    â€œWe grow a lot of unusual lettuce,” Amber told him.
    â€œI can see that,” Brad replied, a little ashamed he didn’t recognize the varieties.
    â€œSome of these greens are native to Asia,” Lexi said.
    â€œReally?” Brad was impressed. Houston had a sizable population of Asians. He had been experimenting with some Chinese and Thai dishes in his spare time.
    â€œYou should taste this.” Lexi picked a curly red leaf off a plant and handed it to him. Brad didn’t particularly like lettuce. He wasn’t a salad kind of guy, but he took it anyway. He popped it into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully.
    â€œGood, really good,” he said, and he meant it. The lettuce had a slight taste of nuts.
    â€œYou could design a special summer salad with red wave