Read Online The Jewels of Sofia Tate by Doris Etienne - Free Book Online Page A

I told the truth?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Garnet replied, wondering herself what Nana had tried to hide about her first husband. “What will you do if the detective doesn’t find anything?”
    â€œIf the investigation comes up empty, I guess I’lljust have to live with it.”
    Several children twirled on the grass, inspired by Tchaikovsky’s ballet waltz from Swan Lake. When the orchestra shifted to the cancan, they kicked their legs high into the air and children and adults alike swayed to the music. All seemed to be having a wonderful time.
    But for Garnet, it had not turned out to be much of a holiday. After sleeping in, her day had started with the dreaded trigonometry assignment she had put off for the past week, which was worth twenty percent of her mark. It was due the next day and, once again, she had left things until the last minute. By late afternoon, when the paper remained almost as blank as her mind, it was obvious to her that summer school could become a reality. “I just don’t get it!” she shrieked with frustration, throwing the textbook across her bedroom. It was at that point that she decided she needed a break and went downstairs to the computer.
    She reread Amy’s last email and replied.
    Hey Amy!
    How was Kurt’s party? Things still suck here. Just wasted my day on the trig assignment from hell. Think I’m gonna fail.
    I’m hanging out with an old lady now. She lives in this big house and has a cute grocery boy. Mom’s still working all the time and looking for her dad. Still hope they transfer her back to Owen Sound. Talk to you soon.
    G.
    As the audience applauded the orchestra’s piece, Garnet wondered how long it would be before Amy stopped replying to her emails altogether. What was Amy doing right now? she wondered. Most likely, it was something exciting. Something with Jody. Something not with her parents.
    Out of the corner of her eye, Garnet noticed two tall figures as they approached the crowd. She caught her breath as she recognized one of them. Who could miss Dan with that athletic build and dark hair? The other one looked vaguely familiar — with a slighter build, but also athletic — and bleached-blond hair cut close to the scalp. They stopped just metres from her to face the orchestra. Dan’s head turned slightly and Garnet caught his eye.
    He smiled and waved to her. “Hey, Garnet, how are ya?”
    â€œOkay,” she answered, trying to seem nonchalant as her heart did a flip-flop. They walked over to join her. “What’re you doing here?” she asked.
    â€œJust came to watch the fireworks,” Dan replied.
    â€œOh yeah,” Garnet responded, silently chiding herself. She hoped the increasing darkness would hide the red she was sure would creep into her face. Stupid question. Of course they were here to watch the fireworks. Just like everyone else.
    Her mother looked on with curiosity and smiled at the boys. “Are these friends of yours, Garnet?”
    Garnet shrugged one shoulder. “This is Dan. I met him at Elizabeth’s. He delivers her groceries.”
    Dan stared at Garnet for a moment, then said, “The grocery boy? Is that all I am? The grocery boy?” He put a fist to his heart and pretended to be hurt. “We had lunch together yesterday and everything. How soon the lady forgets!”
    Garnet’s eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped at his unexpected theatrics. Then she noticed the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
    â€œAll right. He’s more than the grocery boy. Dan’s a friend. Sorry,” she laughed.
    Dan pulled up the collar of his jacket, as though his dignity had just been restored. “All right. That’s better,” he said, giving a huge, lopsided grin. They alllaughed, then to Garnet’s surprise, Dan turned to her mother and extended a hand. “Hi. I’m Dan Peters. Nice to meet you.”
    â€œNice to meet