Lola did love surprises. Cady hoped she was going to like this one. She’d played with the idea of calling her grandmother and always ended up saying, no, she’ll try to talk me out of making the trip. Cady figured that if she sold her house, packed her stuff, and just came, Lola would have to let her stay and take care of her. If there was one thing she knew about her grandmother, it was that she liked being independent. Thus, the element of surprise. Lola would never turn her away. Never.

She wished she knew more about her grandmother’s health. All she had to go on was her mother’s phone call. That in itself was reason enough for alarm because her mother never called her. When she’d asked what was wrong with Lola, her mother had said, she’s old, things go wrong when you get old. Her voice had been so controlled, so onimous-sounding, Cady had felt fear race up her arms. She knew in that one split second that she had to go to her grandmother. If it turned out to be a hangnail, so be it.

Cady opened the door for Atlas. She attached the leash to his collar and walked up the four steps that led to the wide verandah. The huge double doors opened just as she reached the fourth step. She stopped and pulled Atlas to her side. “I’m Cady Jordan, Lola’s granddaughter.”

“Yes, you did say that back at the gate. Come in. You should have called ahead, Cady. Miss Lola doesn’t like surprises.”

“I thought my mother or father called. I guess they forgot,” Cady said lamely. “Is my grandmother all right?”

“Now that depends on what you mean by all right. Well, don’t stand there, come into the house. That’s a sorry-looking excuse for a dog. Don’t let him mess in the house.”

“Just a minute, whoever you are. You can say what you want about me, but leave my dog out of it. He was beaten and starved before I got him. He’s doing fine now, thanks to me. My grandmother likes dogs. Who are you?”

“I’m Mandy. I’m the housekeeper, the companion, and the secretary, plus a lot of other things. You’re just a visitor, so you shouldn’t be asking questions. Do you have a problem with all of this?” A round butterball of a man stood behind the housekeeper, his eyes sparkling as he listened to the verbal exchange.

The housekeeper had to be as old or almost as old as her grandmother. She had a mouth on her just like her grandmother’s. “I remember now. You were Lola’s double. She used to tell me about you. She said you were the greatest stuntwoman to come out of Hollywood, and she would never have been the actress she was without your help.” Cady’s hand shot out. “I’m very pleased to see you again. And you must be Anthony, Lola’s director. She said no one but you were fit to direct her. It’s a pleasure meeting you, too.” Not to be out done, Atlas barked and held up his paw.