White Ginger Read Online Free PDF

it.”
    “I thought you would,” the blonde purred. “Some lucky man will enjoy seeing you in it.” Amelie paid a truly outrageous sum, but she knew it was the right decision. Some things a girl just has to have.
    Lili’s pickup was parked a few spaces down from the lingerie shop. Amelie climbed into the front.
    “So, now you’ve met the bitch.”
    “What?” Amelie was taken aback.
    “Tell you about her later,” Lili said in an undertone, jerking her head in the direction of the shop Amelie had just left. More loudly, she introduced her daughter. “This is Lani, short for Leilani. Say hi to Amelie.”
    Amelie turned to face a curious nine-year-old, the image of her mother. A cheeky smile caused two dimples to appear on her cheeks.
    “You sure are pretty, just like Unca Arnie said you were. Are you gunna come with him to the luau and see me dance? He’ll be back tomorrow night. The luau’s not till the end of the month and I’m dancing in it. You’ll come and see me, won’t you?”
    “Hush, you babbling brook,” her mother complained as she sped out along the highway to Amelie’s cabin and then grinned. “She’s irrepressible. But you are coming to the luau, aren’t you?”
    “I’d like to, very much.” Lili sounded as though she genuinely wanted her company. An unfamiliar feeling of optimism flared in her stomach.
    When they got back to her cabin, Amelie offered Lani milk and cookies, and a glass of wine to Lili. Lani wandered off to explore and Amelie turned to Lili.
    “Well?”
    “The bitch’s name is Marita. She and Arne were an item for several months. Arne thought he was in love with her, but she had an eye to the main chance and dumped him as soon as Jimmy Sanderson came onto the scene. Him and his millions. She told Arne that she would never marry a Hawaiian. That cut Arne, badly. He’s proud of his heritage.”
    “How could she say something so hurtful? What did Arne do?”
    “He took off to the outer reef islands and stayed away for two weeks. She was never good enough for him, but he wouldn’t see that.”
    “So did she marry this Sanderson character? Who is he anyway?”
    “They aren’t married yet, but it’s only a matter of time. That cleared land down on the harbor front is Sanderson’s latest investment, a huge hotel development.”
    “Oh no. That’s vandalism. This is such a lovely place–how can he spoil it?”
    “Not only that–he wants freehold rights to the beach and exclusive sea rights for his guests. But Arne is leading the fight against his application. Arne says Sanderson’s plans will affect the coral reef and there’s no way he’ll let that happen. He’ll take it all the way to the Supreme Court to beat Sanderson. In the meantime, Marita and Sanderson flaunt his wealth and talk big.”
    Amelie couldn’t resist commenting. “It sounds like those two were made for each other.”
    “Believe me, I don’t trust that man at all and she’s a perfect match for him. Shark meets barracuda.”
    Amelie tapped her thumb on her lower lip. Could she ask Lili about Arne? The answer meant more to her than she dared believe. She sipped her wine and looked over the garden, neatly avoiding meeting Lili’s eyes. “Do you think Arne is still…in love with Marita?”
    Lili paused before answering, her tone thoughtful. “I don’t believe so, no. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that he never was in love. Just infatuated.”
    As Lani ran back up the track, Amelie thanked Lili again. “I’ve had such a pleasant day, and I’m delighted that we’ve met.”
    “You’ll come to the luau, won’t you, Melie? Unca Arnie can bring you. He promised me he’d come. You’ve gotta see me dance.”
    “I’d love to come and see you dance. Perhaps you’ll show me how to dance Hawaiian some time?”
    “Course I will.” Lani waved goodbye and Lili called out as they took off, “See you soon. Come over for coffee and a chat anytime when you’ve got wheels.” In a swirl