Free Vegas to Varanasi (Fortytude Series Book 1) by Shelly Hickman

beautiful.
    Kiran’s father answers the door. “Anna, it’s good to see you again!”
    “Good to see you, Mr. Kapur,” I say as I step inside.
    “I told you before. Call me Ahsan. Please.”
    Geena spots me from across the room and makes her way toward me, no longer walking with her cane. “I told you not to bring a present,” she says as I hand her a small gift bag which contains a silver necklace I bought.
    I smile and give her a hug. “How can I not bring a gift for your seventieth birthday?”
    “Well, thank you. That was very sweet. Ahsan, dear, would you please take this and put it on the table with the others while I speak with Anna?”
    “Absolutely.”
    Geena wastes no time linking her arm in mine and leads me to the next room where live music can be heard. “I’m so sorry to ask this of you, but Kiran really needs your help,” she says in a hushed voice.
    “Help? What do you mean?”
    “It’s Miranda.”
    “Miranda? Oh, you mean the one he came to the wedding with?”
    I haven’t the slightest clue where she’s going with this. We stop at the entrance of a large bonus room where lots of people are milling about, some of them dancing, and I see Kiran sitting in the corner next to Miranda. She’s talking, leaning in toward him, while he sits with a drink in his hand, his body slightly turned away.
    “I’m confused. Why does he need my help?”
    “I’m just going to make a long story short,” she says hastily. “I invited her mother, who is my friend, but I didn’t know she was bringing Miranda. Miranda will not leave him alone, and I don’t like her.” She looks me straight in the eye and I can’t help but chuckle.
    “I’m sure he can take care of himself.”
    “Of course he can, but he doesn’t like her either, and he’s too much of a gentleman to give her the slip.”
    I slowly shake my head, speechless. Don’t get me wrong. I adore Geena, but to say she’s a little too involved in her son’s business is a bit of an understatement.
    I shrug. “I’m not sure what you want me to do.”
    “Just follow my lead.” She takes me by the hand and leads me toward Kiran and Miranda.
    Kiran sees us and his face brightens. He stands to greet us. “Anna, hi!”
    “Hi there. Hello, Miranda. Nice to see you again.” I can fake pleasantries when I have to.
    “Hello.” She cocks her head and stares at me.
    “Sorry I’m a little late,” I say to no one in particular. “When I got in my car, the battery was completely dead, and I had to wait for my daughter to get home so I could borrow her car.”
    “Don’t give it a second thought,” Geena insists with a wave of her hand. “Kiran, now that your date has arrived, why don’t the two of you have a dance?”
    I freeze in place, but my eyebrows pop up and my gaze slips to Kiran. This is the lead I’m supposed to follow? His brow furrows, I’m assuming with confusion, as he looks at Geena.
    Miranda narrows her eyes, surveying each of us, while Geena takes the now empty seat beside her.
    When no one speaks after a few seconds, Kiran offers me an easy smile and holds out his hand. “Well, I’m game if you are.”
    This is the absolute worst! Nothing like a mother hurling me at her son.
    “Miranda, I’ve been looking for your mother, but I don’t know where she’s disappeared to.” Geena places her hand on Miranda’s knee. “How about you come help me find her?”
    Miranda looks just as confused as Kiran did a moment ago, as I take his hand and follow him to the center of the room to dance.
    “Wha-a-a-t just happened?” I ask.
    Kiran shakes his head and puts his hand on my waist. “I have no idea, but you just witnessed the infamous Geena Kapur in action. I’m sorry she put you in such an awkward position.”
    “No, it’s fine.” I smile as I watch Geena leading Miranda around the room, as they try to “locate” Miranda’s mother. “She pounced on me the minute I got here, saying that you needed rescuing.”
    He