The Goddaughter's Revenge Read Online Free

assume that he just hated the way the place looked. So did I. This guy has talent.”
    Mrs. Hewitt was delighted with the new arrangement. “It’s so much more spacious-looking. I really like the editing he did. And that turquoise pashmina! I never thought of putting brown and cream and turquoise together, but it goes so well. Now I want to try some new colors.”
    Police are calling the suspect The Lone Rearranger because of the Lone Ranger-type mask the intruder left behind .
    â€œCrappity CRAP!” I dropped the newspaper on the kitchen island. “I’m gonna kill him.”
    â€œCare to explain?”
    My eyes moved to Pete. He had one eyebrow raised and a whole lot more going on with his face.
    â€œSonovabitch,” I muttered and reached for the phone.
    Nico answered on the first ring.
    â€œIsn’t it exciting?” he said. “Front page, even! I can’t wait to tell Jordy.”
    â€œNo! No telling anyone!” I was pacing now. Pacing and fuming. “That pashmina was yours? And you left it there?”
    He clicked his tongue. “It just came to me. A hit of saturated color is so modern, and turquoise is the new gray. It goes with almost everything. I always carry a couple in my satchel. But don’t worry. I wore gloves, remember?”
    Pete was looking at me strangely. “Are you okay?” he mouthed.
    Nico continued talking. “Wasn’t the mask a nice touch? I wanted to surprise you. At first, I couldn’t make up my mind between black or white, but then white seemed more original, you know?”
    I was hyperventilating now. “Nico, you are NOT the Pink Panther! This was supposed to be a covert operation.”
    â€œDo you think maybe next time I could leave a bill behind?”

CHAPTER SIX
    Saturday afternoon was good. Tiff was busy with a customer when I got to the store. I waved a hand at her and went directly to the back room.
    This was going to be a great day. This was the day I was setting my own engagement ring. And it was a doozie. Never in my life had I expected to wear such a diamond. Can’t explain it exactly, but it does something to a girl.
    When Tiff was done with the customer, she joined me in the back room. I was poring over settings.
    â€œI think this one.” The band I picked up was narrow yellow gold with three prongs. One prong would cover the point end of the pear-shaped diamond, to protect it.
    â€œYeah,” said Tiff. “Simple. Will really show it off.”
    â€œI like white gold,” I said, hesitating. “But somehow yellow gold seems more wedding-like, if you know what I mean.”
    â€œYellow gold blends in with flesh color,” she said. “White gold stands out against it. So if you want the band to stand out, you pick white gold. If you want the stone to be prominent, use yellow.”
    I lifted my head and stared at her. “Well done, little cuz. I’m impressed. How did you pick that up so fast?”
    She looked really pleased. “I’ve been watching. And experimenting. For instance, I can see just by looking that this is a beaut.” She pointed to my diamond, sitting on the velvet mat. “What are the specs?”
    â€œVvs1. Color grade, D. Cut, excellent. Check it out yourself.” I handed her the loupe.
    After a few moments, she whistled low. “That’s impressive. I really like this business.”
    â€œYou should go for your certification,” I suggested.
    She nodded slowly. “I’m thinking about it.”
    The front-door bell jingled, announcing another customer. Tiff rose to greet her. I set about my main task, humming to myself all the while.
    * * *
    That night at dinner, Pete popped a question.
    â€œWhat do you think about the Saturday before Christmas?”
    We were sitting in La Paloma on James, my uncle Vito’s restaurant. It was sort of our place. By that I mean Pete’s and mine. Luckily, he loves Italian