Read Online Miranda's Revenge by Ruth Wind - Free Book Online Page A

one into her cell phone.
    The first one was not interested in trying to get a sari to Mariposa within two days, and there was no answer at the second place, but on her third try, Miranda found a man who was more than willing to work with her, figure out what she wanted, and send someone down with a couple of different things for Desi to try. All for a price, of course, but that was one of the things the sisters really never had to worry about, was it? Money.
    She asked for three saris to be brought down, one in blue, one in pink, one in yellow. Buoyed, she hung up and wandered around the shop, picking up things here and there to accent a sari as wedding attire, a pair of silver earrings, a silver bracelet with bells, a silver barrette for Desi’s thick, beautiful hair. Carrying her things to the counter, she hummed a light tune.
    A man came around the corner, blond and hale and sturdy. Miranda started, glanced over her shoulder for a place to run, but she was trapped. She swore under her breath. Damn, damn, damn.
    â€œGood morning, Miranda,” said Max, his voice elegantly accented, beautiful.
    â€œHi, Max.” She spilled her goods on the counter. “Are you enjoying your stay?”
    â€œYes.” He gestured toward the tables. “Will you sit? Have a cup of coffee?”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry. I’ve got to run.” She looked at her bare wrist. “I have to take these things to my sister.”
    Sarah was standing very still, her blue eyes blisteringly blue. “Aren’t you Max Boudrain? The gold-medal skier?”
    He glanced at her, dismissively, gave a curt, “Yes,” then turned his focus back to Miranda. “Only a little while? A few moments.”
    Miranda scowled at him. “Max, I’d like you to meet Sarah. She’s living here because her life is skiing. I bet she’d love your autograph.” Whipping a black pen from her purse, she gave it to him, along with a postcard from the counter.
    One side of his mouth lifted. “Trade?”
    â€œSign it, Max.”
    He lifted a thick brown-blond brow. “All right.” He looked at the girl. “Sarah with an H?”
    Miranda’s phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. “I’ll be right back,” she said to the girl, and headed out to take the call. “Hi, James,” she said, flipping open the phone.
    â€œHi, Miranda. I’m standing here across the street from ReNew.”
    She whirled around, putting a hand up to shade her eyes. He stood in a fall of thick shadows, his face made hard in very dark sunglasses. That odd little shimmer went through her belly. “I’m here!” she waved.
    He raised a hand. “I wonder if you’d do me a favor?”
    â€œI’ll try.”
    â€œHave a cup of coffee with your old boyfriend. See if you can find out anything about Christie and her feelings for Claude. Just—whatever.”
    Miranda’s chest got tight. “Uh…James…I—”
    â€œIt might help, Miranda. Remember the point is to clear your sister’s name.”
    â€œRight. Okay. Shall I find you somewhere later?”
    â€œI have to interview some people and I’m going to sniff around the casino a bit. Call me when you’re done.”
    â€œTen-four,” she said, one side of her mouth lifting. “Or is that ‘Roger’?”
    â€œOver and out, good buddy,” he said, and raised a hand.
    Miranda spun on her heel and went back inside. “Okay, Max,” she said, “let’s have that coffee. But you have to buy me a scone, too.” She’d just had one, but two in one day wouldn’t kill her.
    â€œOf course,” he said. He touched the small of her back. “Two,” he said to Sarah.
    They settled beside the window, paper cups in their hands. “How have you been, Miranda?”
    â€œAll right.” She shrugged. “You know me. I land on my feet.”
    â€œYou