Right Brother by Patricia McLinn Read Free Book Online Page A

each supposed highlight.
    â€œAnd as you’ve seen,” she said, wrapping up her spiel from the side doorway, “you could have a ready-to-operate service area—”
    â€œWithout the newest equipment.”
    â€œAnd a salesroom ready to go, as well as—”
    â€œRun-down.”
    â€œA secured lot in place.”
    â€œWithout inventory to secure.”
    Annoyance flashed across her eyes, stark and unmistakable. She had it controlled almost as fast as it had arrived. “I’ve shown you the pertinent areas. Is there anything I’ve missed that you would be interested in seeing?”
    The whisper of a devil’s voice he didn’t know he had in him mentioned a thing or two it would be interested in seeing. He pushed it back down where it belonged, under whatever covered the floor of his subconscious.
    â€œI’m sending these projections to several other investors,” she said. “You shouldn’t wait until this develops into a bidding war.”
    He snorted.
    â€œOther investors will look at it strictly for its business potential,” she added coolly, “without personal associations clouding their assessment.”
    â€œThen why not give these other investors first crack? Wouldn’t it be easier to sell to them than to somebody who spent half his life trying to get away from Stenner Autos and the rest thanking the fates he’d succeeded?”
    â€œIt only seems fair to give a Stenner first crack at it. You have a name that has meant a lot in this community for a long time. It would be a real asset to you in running this business.”
    â€œIf the name’s such a business asset, why didn’t you keep it?”
    She gave him a level, would-be-cool-eyed stare. But underneath, he saw emotions churning, including pain. He felt like an ass for stirring that.
    â€œAll right, all right. None of my business. I get it. I over-stepped. Sorry.” But he wasn’t a patsy, either. “But come on—other potential buyers?”
    He let her see he didn’t for a second believe in these other potential buyers. She looked back, defiant.
    He almost smiled. “You’re good, Jennifer. You’re really good.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œUh-huh. My family ties both explain my reluctance to buy this white elephant, and excuse you from producing rival buyers. That’s what I call making the most of what little you have to work with.”
    â€œQuit worrying if I’m trying to play you, Trent,” she said. “Pretend the name Stenner isn’t attached and look at the numbers. It’s a good opportunity. A great opportunity. Perhaps I’m foolish in giving you first crack, but you’d be more than foolish to turn it down because of the name.”
    â€œWhat if I say yes?”
    â€œUh, we’ll write up the offer,” she said tentatively, as if she’d so focused on getting him to say yes that she hadn’t considered what came next. “Judge Dixon has to approve, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”
    He was sure it wouldn’t be a problem, either. Not if she smiled at the old judge the way she was smiling at him.
    â€œWe can go to the office and write up the offer now,” she proposed.
    â€œNot now. I’m meeting Coach Brookenheimer for lunch.”
    She deflated instantly.
    â€œI’ll meet you at your office after lunch,” he heard himself saying.
    â€œOkay.” But he saw that she didn’t believe it.
    â€œI’m not making any other promises, but I will be there.”
    He held her gaze. Even when he saw she wanted to look away. Even when he saw he was making her uncomfortable.
    â€œOkay,” she said again, and this time she did believe him.
    Why he’d needed her to acknowledge his promise, he had no idea. And now that she had, he couldn’t wait to leave.
    â€œDon’t expect me before two or three. Coach and I have a lot