Trouble In Triplicate Read Online Free Page A

"The common thread running through the entire story seems to be"—he drew in his breath sharply—"my sister Sophia."
    "Sophia?" Juliet stared at him, thoroughly taken aback. Had he made some wild accusation involving herself or Olivia, she would've laughed it off—or told him off! But for him to mention his own sister . . .
    "Darla Ditmayer is the daughter of a friend of my mother's—and a friend of Sophia's as well. And Karen Wilbur, who called Miranda to report having seen Grant and Darla in Richmond, is Sophia's closest friend. It was Sophia herself who acted evasive over the telephone. And it was Sophia who told Bobby Lee Taggert that Grant was in Richmond with Darla."
    "It's probably just a string of coincidences. Why would Sophia want to wreck her brother's engagement?" Juliet couldn't fathom such a thing. It was difficult enough to believe that Caine was making this accusation against his own sister!
    "Maybe she didn't intend to wreck his engagement. Maybe she simply intended to cause a little misery for one of the Post triplets."
    "But—but why?"
    "My sister has a long list of grievances against you three dating back to your grade-school days. Being eight years older than Sophia, I was never much involved with her as a child, but I do recall her lamenting over how unfair it was that you Posts had been born a trio. You triplets always had a starring number in every dancing-school recital, you were always invited to every birthday party, you took up three places on the cheerleading squad, you took up three places at Mary Washington College, thus always eliminating Sophia ... or so she claimed."
    Juliet stared at him, momentarily bereft of speech. She and her sisters had never given Sophia Saxon a thought, and Sophia had held a grudge against them for being born triplets all these years? "It's too bizarre!" she managed to say at last. "It's easier to believe that Grant went to Richmond for a fling with Darla Ditmayer."
    "Not if you knew my brother as well as I know him." Caine frowned. "As well as your sister should have known him. She's displayed an appalling lack of trust in Grant. I don't know if she deserves another chance with him."
    "She doesn't want another chance with him, Saxon."
    Caine ignored her. "I'm going to have a little talk with my sister this afternoon. If she confirms my suspicions, I'll be in touch with you later, Juliet. I'm afraid it will be our job to get this engagement back on the track again."
    "Our job? Why on earth would I want to help your lying, cheating brother get reengaged to my sister?"
    "Because he isn't a liar and a cheat. I neglected to mention one small fact to you, Juliet. On the weekend two weeks before his wedding. Grant did go to Petersburg to buy produce, and our truck did break down, forcing him to spend the weekend there. We have dated sales receipts to prove it."
    Juliet's eyes widened. "But—but even your mother said he was in Richmond."
    "Probably because that's what Sophia told her. And you can bet Sophia didn't mention the Darla Ditmayer part to Mom. There would've been too many questions asked."
    "Does your mother hate us too?" Juliet asked quietly.
    Caine shook his head. "No. She was quite pleased when Grant and Miranda got engaged. Another thorn in Sophia's side, I guess."
    Juliet sank down onto the sofa. "I can't believe Sophia would do anything so—so wicked."
    "You were quick enough to believe the worst about Grant," Caine pointed out. "You owe him, Juliet. You owe him the chance to clear himself with your sister." His face darkened. "Of course, there's always the risk that Grant won't want Miranda back. I know I wouldn't want a woman who had so little faith in me."
    "You don't understand," Juliet cried, quick to leap to her sister's defense. "It was as much a lack of faith in herself that made her believe Grant didn't want her. Randi has always been insecure about herself as 'an individual. She's always believed that people were only interested in her because