Right Brother by Patricia McLinn Page A

tell, my brother left his wife—ex-wife—and daughter without any financial support.”
    Linc growled. He was not a fan of men who didn’t take care of their families. But he didn’t give up the fight. “And this is your problem how?”
    â€œBecause I’m here,” Trent answered honestly. “I can’t say I ever would have thought to wonder how Jennifer and Ashley were provided for if I hadn’t stumbled onto the knowledge. But I can’t unstumble now.”
    â€œAll right, all right. But how would your sinking money into Stenner Autos help your niece and her mama?”
    â€œJennifer is handling the listing. She’d get the commission.”
    â€œSo you’re going to buy this damn dealership so your niece’s mama gets a commission, Mr. Bleeding Heart? You sure that’s all it is? We both know you buying that place would make your daddy as happy as that man can get. You sure it’s not somethingto do with your daddy and that brother of yours? Which makes no sense. On the other hand, for your mama—”
    â€œLinc.”
    That stopped the flow of words. But after a moment broken only by the continued tap of computer keys, Linc exhaled loudly. “Well, it wouldn’t be pretty if it goes belly-up, but you could recover. Eventually. Might have to come work for me.”
    Trent groaned. It was the direst of dire threats. “I’d rather flip burgers or join the French Foreign Legion.”
    â€œYou don’t get the luxury of choice when you spend your money on other luxuries. Like the luxury of playing Sir Galahad.”
    â€œThis has nothing to do with—”
    â€œSave it. With the commission going to your sister-in-law—”
    â€œEx-sister-in-law.”
    Linc made an explosive sound that combined a laugh, a groan and a healthy dose of I told you so . “Tell you what, Mr. Stenner. I’ve got some ideas we can talk about in a minute—unless you want to stay there and run it yourself.”
    â€œNo way. I’ll put money into it, but I’m not staying here.”
    â€œOkay then, I’ll keep researching this business venture of yours. But I can tell you right now what the bottom line is.”
    He made Trent ask. “What’s the bottom line, Linc?”
    â€œIf you want to have any luxuries besides choice, you’d better make sure that dealership becomes a success.”
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    â€œI hope you had a pleasant lunch with Coach Brookenheimer,” Jennifer said, professionally cordial, when Trent walked into the shoe box she called an office at Roscoe Real Estate at two forty-five.
    â€œVery nice. Thanks. I’m making an offer on Stenner Autos.”
    Her mouth opened. Those parades of reactions streamedacross her eyes again. Hope, fear, relief, more fear, uncertainty, triumph quickly reined in and another dose of fear—this one clearly centered around whether she’d heard him correctly. Or whether he was kidding.
    â€œNo,” he said. “I’m not kidding. Nuts, maybe, but not kidding. I’m putting in an offer on Stenner Autos.”
    â€œWhat—” She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. “What’s your offer?”
    â€œThe asking price.”
    â€œBut—” She stopped that sentence by clamping down on her bottom lip, clearly deciding that encouraging a buyer who was willing to pay full price to negotiate was not a wise move.
    â€œSo, what’s next?” Trent asked.
    â€œWe… We talk to the judge.”
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    White-haired Hector Dixon looked across his impressive desk at them.
    First at Jennifer, then longer at him. It made Trent feel as if he’d overlooked something. Something more than that he’d gone crazy.
    â€œThese terms satisfy the conditions set with the creditors. Are you satisfied with the monetary amount of this offer, Jennifer?”
    â€œI am, Judge.”
    â€œHave you received any further word from