Matthew's Choice by Patricia Bradley

Author:Patricia Bradley [Patricia Bradley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Family Life, Romance, Contemporary
ISBN: 9781460339459
Google: MFp0AwAAQBAJ
Amazon: B00JZFWSQ0
Barnesnoble: B00JZFWSQ0
Goodreads: 23147646
Publisher: Heartwarming
Published: 2014-08-26T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

AT 10:00 A.M. the next morning, Matt’s cell phone rang and the Bradford Foundation showed on caller ID. He let it ring twice before answering. “Jefferies.”

“The Matthew Jefferies who is the director of food and beverage for the Winthrop Corporation?” Bradford’s voice held a touch of humor.

“Yes, sir.”

“Then congratulations. The contract is yours.”

He’d won. Tension leached from Matt’s muscles. Yes! He pumped his fist. “Thank you, sir.”

“See if you’re still thanking me February fifteenth. Can you drop by the office later today and sign the contract?”

Matt looked over his to-do list for the morning. Nothing that couldn’t be put off for an hour. “I can be there in fifteen minutes.”

He ended the call, leaned back in his chair and let the warm glow of satisfaction wash over him. Step one accomplished. He dialed his boss. “Mr. Winthrop,” he said when Jessica’s father answered. “Just wanted to let you know we won the contract for the Valentine’s Day banquet with Bradford.”

“First time ever to get that scoundrel’s business. Good job, Matthew.”

“Thank you, sir. I plan on getting the rest of his business, as well.” And if he could accomplish that before his May job evaluation, he stood a good chance of moving up in the Winthrop Corporation, maybe even into consideration for a vice-president position.

“Good luck. Bradford is a difficult taskmaster. Let me know if you have any problems with the Valentine’s banquet.”

Not that Matt thought he’d need help, but he assured Winthrop he would do so, if necessary, before hanging up. After all, he hadn’t gotten this far by failing.

* * *

“YES?” ALLIE SAID, not looking up from her paperwork. She had eleven new requests from teachers for student literacy evaluations on her desk, and it was only Wednesday.

“I need you to speak with Mr. Nichols.”

The trembling in the secretary’s voice brought Allie’s head up, but it was the panic in Betty Marshall’s face that got Allie to her feet. “What’s wrong?”

“He wants to take Logan and Lucas out of school. He’s quite insistent.”

Evidently he made bond for his crystal meth charge. “Where is Mr. Wright?”

“He’s not here. There’s a principals’ meeting at the district office this morning.”

Allie had forgotten that. “Call the sheriff.” She hurried to the outer office. Better to err on the side of caution.

Lenny Nichols was not at all what she expected. He stood at the counter that divided the room. Neatly dressed in a button-down shirt, corduroy coat and khakis, he easily could have passed for a businessman. Except for the eyes and body movements. Dilated pupils, the shifting from one foot to another, the twitchy hands. She stood taller and nodded. “I’m the school counselor. May I help you?” Her voice sounded much calmer than she felt.

Nichols folded his arms across his chest. “I want to pick up my boys.”

“Let me see if you’re on the list.” Allie pulled open a file cabinet and pretended to search the records. She knew his name wasn’t listed, but every minute she stalled gave the sheriff time to get there.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.