Risking It All Read Online Free Page A

cities.”
    “If you tell me you’re moving to Alaska I’ll drown you in your coffee,” Kennedy threatened.
    Memphis chuckled.
    “No. I’m not moving to Alaska, but I am going to be up there for at least a week getting the shots I need and a feel for the place. They’ve offered to put me up for as long as I need.”
    “Wow. That’s great, Memphis.”
    Her heart sank that he was able to go back to her dream place. She always hoped that when she was finally able to afford a real vacation, Memphis would join her there. Brooks wasn’t interested in vacationing anywhere that wasn’t directly across from Vancouver General.  
    “What’s the resort?” she asked, trying to show interest instead of jealousy at his good fortune. 
    “Spruce Falls.” He grinned at her slyly. “That’s not the best part.”
    “What’s the best part?” Kennedy asked with pout.
    “I offered them a deal. I’ll lower my fee some if they throw in a package deal for two.”
    Kennedy stared at him blankly, not fully comprehending what he was saying.
    “Kennedy, I want you to come with me,” he told her.
    “To Alaska?” she asked.
    “Yes, to Alaska.” He laughed. “You’ve wanted to go forever and this is your chance. It’s practically free, Kennedy. All you need is spending money; everything else is taken care of through the resort.”
    “You’re taking a cut in your paycheck so I can go with you?” He nodded. “Oh my God, Memphis, you can’t do that!”
    “I already did. All you have to do is say yes.”
    “There’s no way I can accept that! You’ve probably given up a fortune.”
    Memphis scoffed at her exaggeration and shook his head.
    “Consider it a late birthday/early Christmas present,” he told her.
    “I can’t go, Memphis,” she said stubbornly. “I can’t let you blow your fee like that.”
    “Kennedy, I want you to come with me.” He grabbed her hand and gave it a soft squeeze. “It’s really only a small chunk of change I’m passing up. Please?” he pleaded, pouting and giving her puppy dog eyes.
    “Argh. Don’t do that,” she groaned, covering her eyes with her free hand. She had never been able to resist his puppy dog eyes. She peeked at him through her fingers and sighed. “Can I think about it?”
    “Sure.” He grinned. “But you know you’re going to say yes. We leave in two weeks.”
    Kennedy smirked. Even though she was beyond ecstatic that she was able to go with him if she wanted to, she felt incredibly guilty that he was giving up part of his paycheck in order for it to happen. The fact that he was willing to do it without so much as blinking an eye made the soft spot she had for him in her heart that much softer.
    “So?” he asked once their food had been placed in front of them.
    “So?” Kennedy mimicked as she covered her home fries in ketchup.
    “Do you have a date yet?”
    She smiled coyly and asked, “For what?” before she popped a piece of potato in her mouth.
    He scowled at her.
    “Don’t play dumb with me. When’s your show?”
    Kennedy chewed slowly, trying to remain calm when her insides were jumping with excitement.
    It had been a long, hard road to get to where she was today, professionally. Kennedy had gone to university with the intent of majoring in criminology, just like her father had. Her parents had convinced her it would be a good career choice, even though she had very little interest in the area. She had no desire to be a parole officer or private investigator like her father had been before he retired two years ago. But they were paying for her tuition, and she figured she owed it to them to at least give what they wanted a try.
    Her real passion was art. Drawing, sculpturing, painting . . . she loved everything about it. Being an artist wasn’t a “safe” career; it wasn’t a career at all in their eyes. It was a hobby, one she could continue in her spare time while she studied to have the career they planned for her. Who wanted to be a