Worth the Risk Read Online Free PDF

hydroponically.”
    Lexi plucked a small green squash the size of his little finger off a vine growing from a cylinder of water. At the top of the baby squash was a bright orange bubble-shaped blossom.
    Brad bit into the veggie and an unusual savory flavor filled his mouth, unlike any squash he’d ever had. “Wow! This is good.”
    “I thought you might like it,” Lexi said with the first smile he’d seen from her.
    “I’m going to go with them instead of the beets.”
    “Awesome!” squealed Amber. “I can hardly wait to taste your special.”
    The girl had more confidence than three kids her age, Brad decided. Lexi was more reserved, but Amber’s interest gave him an idea.
    “Do you two have plans for lunch on Saturday?” he asked. He really wanted to know about dinner, but decided anyone as attractive as Lexi would have plans for the evening.
    “No, we don’t,” Amber answered.
    Lexi didn’t look half as pleased as her sister. She was about to say something, when a horn blared.
    “That’s my ride.” Amber dashed toward the gate. “See you tonight, Lexi.” She stopped, hand on the gate, then spun around and called out to Brad, “I’m going to win your contest. Count on it!”
    Lexi waited until Amber slammed the gate shut. “I hope she doesn’t win.”
    Her reaction surprised him. “Really, why?”
    Lexi hesitated for a moment. “I want her to get a college education. I don’t want her slaving over a hot stove only to find out the job’s not as glamorous as she thinks.”
    “She could do both,” Brad responded, a little shocked at the frustration he detected in her voice.
    “Not Amber. She’s got a one-track mind. Right now all she can think about is winning that contest and she’s neglecting her schoolwork. I want her in summer school, not tagging around after some pastry chef.”
    “I wouldn’t worry about it,” Brad said, attempting to assure her. “What are the chances she’ll win?”
    “She’s an excellent cook. Baking is Amber’s specialty.” Lexi sounded defensive. “And if she loses, she’ll be disappointed, crushed.”
    Cripes, Brad thought. There was no reasoning with women.
    “I have an idea that might solve your problem.”

Chapter 4
    Lexi followed Amber through the double-wide doors into Black Jack’s on Saturday. Amber had been so excited about lunch that she’d changed outfits at least six times. Brad had persuaded Lexi that a visit to his restaurant and a tour of the kitchen during the hectic noon rush would show Amber that working in a restaurant wasn’t glamorous. But what if he was wrong? Suppose the chaos and hair-trigger tempers Brad had so vividly described actually energized Amber?
    “Wow! This is awesome!” Amber made no attempt to hide her enthusiasm.
    The place had a Caribbean style to it with dark wood floors and plantation shutters that filtered the light. High above their heads, ceiling fans shaped like palm fronds circulated the air above the wicker and bamboo furniture.
    Lexi hadn’t dated a lot, but she had been out enough to know there were ritzier restaurants in Houston. Amber had only eaten at fast-food places, so this had to seem highly sophisticated to her.
    “You must be the Morrisons,” said a perky blonde hostess when they walked up to her.
    “Yep. That’s us,” Amber responded with a beaming smile.
    Lexi hoped they were suitably dressed. She’d worn a tan pair of slacks and a coral blouse with a thin tan stripe running through it. A conservative outfit but one that looked nice, she thought. Amber couldn’t be talked out of a very short raspberry-pink skirt and a matching tank top that revealed her midriff whenever she raised her arms.
    The hostess picked up menus the size of wall posters and led them to a corner table. “Brad will be right out.”
    “Look at this menu! A-mazing!” Amber exclaimed after they’d been seated. “Ribs, steaks, chicken and zillions of yummy desserts.”
    “Interesting salads and chicken