Worth the Risk (6 page)

A week later, Lexi arrived home and pushed through the front door. A cool wave of air indicated the ceiling fan was on low. It was a welcome relief from the heat outside.

Lexi was late—again—and she was exhausted. It was apparent the accounting firm saw the summer interns as little more than indentured servants. The work they assigned the interns always required overtime. Since they were paid a base salary, the interns didn't earn any more money for the extra hours.

“Amber, I'm home!” she called.

There was no answer. Lexi shrugged out of her jacket and hung it on the hall tree. She shouldn't be surprised Amber wasn't around. The house was silent. Where was she?

Amber hadn't been bitter about not winning. She'd taken the loss in stride, proud of missing by just one vote. Lexi had to give her credit. The contest had matured her sister. In another week summer school would begin. With luck, Amber's transformation would carry over and she would take summer school seriously.

As she opened the refrigerator to see what she could throw together for dinner, she heard Amber blast through the front door. “Lexi, are you there?”

From her sister's upbeat tone, Lexi decided something good must have happened.

“Sit down,” Amber said, her cheeks flushed.

Lexi slowly lowered herself into a chair at the kitchen table. After tossing her purse on the table in front of her, Amber took the seat opposite.

“Please, just listen. Don't say anything until I've explained.” When Lexi nodded, Amber continued. “I brought up my grades, right?”

A warning bell sounded somewhere deep in Lexi's brain.

“I baked all those goodies for the contest but didn't risk triggering a diabetic episode by eating them. I had the seniors test for me. True?”

Lexi nodded. What was Amber leading up to?

Amber pulled a packet of CDs from her purse. “I want to bring up my math grade next year by studying algebra this summer. That's why I borrowed these
Learn on Your Own
CDs from Joey Tran. I can work in my spare time on the computer.”

Now Lexi got it. This was Amber's way of getting out of summer school.

“I've got a job! A real job that pays way more than minimum wage!”

Great. Lexi had alienated Brad for nothing. Amber had gone out and found a job. From her glow of exhilaration, Lexi realized it would be a knock-down-drag-out fight to convince her sister to give it up.

“Aren't you going to ask where?” Amber inquired.

“Am I allowed to talk?”

“Of course!”

“Where are you planning to work?” She emphasized the word
planning
so Amber would know she wasn't agreeing to anything.

“Guess,” Amber said, her blue eyes sparking fire.

Lexi knew Amber loved being in a kitchen. She might have checked local bakeries for a job, but she doubted she would have found one so quickly. The fast food places had tremendous turnover. There were always openings at them. “Bronco Bill's?”

“Nope!”

The way Amber's eyes gleamed, Lexi figured she was on the right track. “Chicken Bucket.”

“No way. Yuck. Fried food.”

“I give up.”

Amber smiled the sly smile that said she was up to something. “Where's the last place you'd
think
I would find a job?”

Lexi crossed her arms and stared at her sister for a moment. “You didn't go to Brad, did you?”

“Of course I didn't ask your boyfriend for a job. Not when the contest winner is working there with Charmayne.”

“Sorry.” Lexi tried for a casual tone. “I give up. Where did you find a job?”

An expression of smug satisfaction crossed her features. “I start tomorrow morning at…Marché.”

Lexi stared wordlessly at her sister. One of the premier restaurants in the city had hired Amber. How could that be? Rick Fullerton had seemed upset with Lexi since he'd met them at Black Jack's. Amber had lost the contest by one vote—Rick's vote. Or so they'd assumed.

“Say something,” Amber said.

“That's…fabulous,” Lexi sputtered. “I'm so thrilled for you.”

“There's more.”

“What do you mean?”

“I'm working in the pastry kitchen with Monsieur Broussard.”

Lexi was helpless to smother her stunned gasp. “You're kidding! You said he was as friendly as a scorpion.”

“I thought so at first. It's just that he doesn't speak English that well so he doesn't say much. He came here this afternoon with Rick Fullerton to pick out marionberries for a special dessert. Rick said my torte was superb and asked for the recipe.”

“He did? That's—that's amazing.” Lexi couldn't believe Rick would ask anyone for a recipe but Amber wouldn't make it up.

“Monsieur Brossard said he'd be ‘honored' to have me work for him.” Amber grinned. “Honored. That was
exactly
what he said. Rick was really impressed with me and thought I should have won. They asked if I wanted a part-time job in the pastry kitchen.”

Marché hired Amber. The words repeated in her brain like a chant. Marché hired Amber. Marché hired Amber. This was just as big a tribute as winning the contest. A well-known pastry chef from Paris wanted her sister to work with him. How could Lexi say no?

“Oh my gosh! I'm so proud of you. I don't know what to say.” Lexi put both arms around Amber and hugged her tight. “You're amazing.”

Her sister really was special. She didn't see the world the same way Lexi did, but she had enough confidence in herself to pursue what she wanted.

She had found a way to prepare for next year's algebra course without going to summer school. How could Lexi deny Amber this opportunity?

“Joey said he would like to work full-time at City Seeds,” Amber said as she implored Lexi with pleading eyes. “I'll pay him out of what I make.”

“I'm a little concerned about your health,” Lexi said gently. “Being at a restaurant like Marché is going to be a major temptation.”

“No, it's not. Monsieur Broussard tastes every dessert himself. He doesn't trust anyone else's opinion. He told me so.”

“Okay. What about the other food? Marché is known for its cuisine.”

“I swear I won't eat anything I shouldn't. I'm only there for four hours a day. That's barely time enough to do my own work.”

Lexi didn't take a second to think it over. “Okay, but if you develop health issues or don't study, I'm going to insist that you quit.”

Amber stood up. “I'm going to start on the CDs right after I take my blood sugar.”

“Then let's eat,” Lexi told her.

“I had to eat earlier,” Amber said. “You were late and I was starving.” Amber kissed her cheek. It was the first time her sister had kissed her in… Lexi couldn't recall how long it had been. Seemed like a year.

Lexi waited until Amber left the room to pick up the telephone and call Brad. It was a weeknight and in the middle of the dinner hour. He would have his cell phone off, so she could leave a message without having to talk to him personally.

She didn't want Brad to hear about Amber's job and think Lexi had sent her sister to the competition. Even though Houston was a large city, the restaurant community was tight-knit.

The phone rang twice and Brad answered, taking Lexi by surprise. “Westcott.”

“Brad? It's Lexi Morrison.”

“
The
Lexi Morrison?” he teased.

“Yes. Sorry to call you in the middle of rush hour.”

“S'okay. I'm in my office watching the lion's den. I was about to call you.”

“Really?” Lexi was stunned; it was the last thing she expected.

“Have you eaten? How would you like to catch a late dinner?”

“No, I haven't eaten,” she managed to mumble. “I'd like that.” She could wait until they were together to tell him about Amber's job.

 

The waiter at the Mexican restaurant Brad had chosen strolled up to them, ready to take their order.

“I'll have a Texas Tornado,” Brad told him. “What about you? Want to try the drink that won first prize in the mixology contest, or would a traditional margarita be better?”

“I'll try the Tornado,” she told the waiter, and he left to fill their order.

“Was your bar—mixologist disappointed he didn't win?”

“Probably, but he was a good sport, the way Amber was.”

This was her opening, Lexi realized. “Speaking of Amber, she's the reason I called you.”

“Really?” His blue eyes narrowed speculatively. “Changed your mind about letting her take a summer job at Black Jack's?”

“Not exactly. She got a part-time job on her own. At Marché with Monsieur Broussard.”

“You're kidding.” He started to laugh. “How'd that happen?”

Thankful he had taken the news so well, Lexi smiled and explained as their drinks arrived. “I assumed Rick hadn't voted for Amber, but apparently he had.”

“Good for her,” Brad said with sincerity, and raised his glass for a toast. “Next summer I'll try to hire her away from Fullerton.”

Lexi clinked her glass against Brad's. “What's in this?”

“Reposado tequila, fresh lime juice and cherry liqueur. Whipped egg whites make the foam on top. Remember, I told you how popular frothy topping has become.”

“Right.” Lexi took a sip. “It's good, but knowing there's tequila in it makes me cautious. It's deadly.”

Brad reached over and put his large, warm hand on hers. Her whole body tingled at his touch. “How've you been?”

She started to say she was fine, but decided to tell him how she really felt. “Like I told you before, I'm not enjoying working at a big firm as much as I thought I would. I just sit at a desk in a cube farm, punching numbers.”

“What are you going to do about it?” Brad asked, concern underscoring each word.

“In order to become a CPA, I have to pass the exam and work under a licensed accountant for two years. I'm going to send my résumé around to some smaller firms and see what happens.”

Brad leaned closer and gazed directly into her eyes. “Don't sell yourself short. Make sure your résumé includes City Seeds as well as your payroll work at the upholstery shop. You'll find another job.”

His confidence was as contagious as his smile. “What about you? How are things going at Black Jack's? How's Charmayne's apprentice doing?”

“He's great. Charmayne really likes him.” Brad took another swig of his Tornado. “And the sous-chef is really working out well. Tonight Alice is in charge of the show at Black Jack's.”

“Really?” Lexi was more than a little surprised. Brad had said he didn't like relinquishing his position as executive chef.

“Yes.” His features became more animated. “I want to have a life that I can enjoy beyond the restaurant business. I had to figure out how to make it work for me.” He slipped his arm around her. “I need to make time to see more of you.”

She inhaled sharply at his words. “You do? I—I mean, I want to see more of you. I don't like spending all day punching numbers.”

“When you know what you want, it's worth the risk to go after it,” Brad said.

“Yes,” she agreed. “Having a life you enjoy is worth the risk. Amber's going after what she wants.”

“I wasn't referring to Amber's plans. I'm talking about us as a couple. I don't want to sacrifice having you in my life just to have a successful restaurant.”

This man was special, Lexi realized. He meant more to her than she had wanted to admit. Now was the time to acknowledge how she felt.

He leaned closer, halting a scant inch from her lips. “Am I part of your plans?”

“Of course. I—”

His mouth cut off her response as his lips covered hers and he pulled her flush against his chest.

Lexi could hardly believe this was happening.

Brad pulled back, whispering, “I want us to be together. You come first—before the restaurant, before everything else.”

Lexi smiled. “I have no idea what it's like to come first in anyone's life, but I'm sure willing to give it a try.”

Dear Reader,

I was thrilled to be asked to contribute to this year's edition of More Than Words. I have followed the program since its inception and have been so impressed with the many outstanding women honored over the years. Now, I have the pleasure of writing a story to commemorate another exceptional lady, Gracie Cavnar and the Recipe for Success Foundation.

The accomplishments of Recipe for Success cannot be understated. There is now a heightened awareness of childhood obesity and its causes. More people appreciate the importance of growing and preparing food. From the White House garden to community gardens across this country, people understand the importance of healthy food.

I hope you enjoy Brad and Lexi's story and feel the message is important enough to help spread it. Food is not just something that comes in a package from the supermarket. It plays a vital role in keeping us healthy and deserves our admiration for the way it is grown and prepared.

This story is dedicated to Harlequin Books for their efforts in rewarding the women in our communities who have gone above and beyond to help others. It is especially dedicated to Gracie Cavnar for her efforts on behalf of children with Recipe for Success. I also wish to acknowledge the efforts of Executive Editor Marsha Zinberg for all her hard work in putting this novella together.

Wishing you love and laughter,

Meryl Sawyer

Another FREE eBook awaits!

USA TODAY
bestselling author Pamela Morsi reminds us that nurturing hearts and minds leads to great things in her novella,
Daffodils in Spring
, a tribute to Karen Thomson, founder of Literature for All of Us.

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