Page 18 of Blame It on the Bikini
"Good morning, Mr. Holt. I'm Margaret. Frank told me how you helped him with his car yesterday."
"I did. It's nice to meet you, Margaret."
"You, too. And fair warning, I think Frank is hoping to enlist your help today, too. I don't know if he told you, but he's planning to take that Mustang to a car show in a couple of weeks, and it's a long way from being ready."
"He mentioned that, and I'm happy to help, but maybe a little later. I need to talk to Josie."
"She should be home," Margaret said. "We're going to play bridge in an hour. Do you play?"
"No. Never have."
"Well, it's very easy to learn, and we're always looking for players."
"Uh, I'm not much of a card player."
"I'm sure a smart man like you would pick it up quickly. We also play poker. Of course, Josie and I aren't very good at it, but it's fun, and we even play for money," she said with a twinkle in her eyes.
"Don't let her hustle you," Kaia said as she moved toward them, wearing her paramedic's uniform. "Josie and Margaret took my brother, Ben, for almost fifty dollars the first week he moved in. They're sharks."
"Oh, now, that's not true," Margaret said with a laugh. "And I think Ben was just being a good sport. Letting two old ladies win a little money."
Kaia rolled her eyes as she smiled at him. "You've been warned, Mr. Holt."
"Thanks," he said. "Although I'm surprised you'd give me a warning."
"Well, Lexie wants you to enjoy your time here, which does not include getting sucked into a card game where you might lose money. Not that fifty bucks would put a dent in your wallet."
"We don't always win," Margaret interjected. "And we never cheat, Mr. Holt."
"I believe you. Maybe we'll play some cards before I go." He paused, turning back to Kaia. "Are you working today?"
"Yes, unfortunately. I'm filling in for someone who got sick last night." She checked her watch. "I better run. Have a nice day."
As Kaia left, he walked around the pool and knocked on Josie's door.
"Mr. Holt," Josie said, her eyebrows rising in surprise when she saw him. "I wasn't expecting you."
"Do you have a few minutes to talk?"
"Of course. Come in." She stepped back, gesturing him inside.
Josie's apartment was larger than the unit he'd been assigned, configured differently to accommodate a small office area. But what caught his attention was the décor—vibrant colors everywhere, eclectic furniture pieces that somehow worked together, and walls covered with framed photographs and movie posters. As his gaze swept the room, it caught on something gold and shiny, and when he moved closer to the shelf, he realized it was a very prestigious award.
"Is that an Oscar?" he asked.
"Yes, it is. I won Best Supporting Actress for the movie, Heart of the Wolf. I played a young single mother whose son befriends a wolf. It was thirty-eight years ago now. I'm sure you've never heard of the movie, and I doubt you've ever heard of me."
Grayson blinked in bemusement. "I had no idea you were an actress, or that you'd been in a movie and won an Oscar."
"I quit acting shortly after I got that award. I left Hollywood and moved here, and I've been here ever since. Can I get you something to drink?"
"No, I'm fine, thanks."
"Then, let's sit down." She waved him toward the couch, which was near a set of patio doors that opened into a small, enclosed deck filled with plants and also a hint of weed.
"Uh, is that smell what I think it is?"
Josie followed his gaze and laughed. "It's legal to grow plants for personal use, and it helps with my arthritis."
