Dial by Elizabeth Cage Page B

“You know,you remind me of my grandfather. He died when I was young, but he looked a lot like you.”
    â€œI am please to hear you said that,” Chico responded.
    Jo laughed. “I am please to have said it.”
    Chico grinned, his blue eyes twinkling. “How long will your visit to Brazil be?”
    â€œWe’re leaving in the morning,” Theresa answered. “We’ve got to get out of here to make way for the new occupants of this place . . . and I’m sure we’ve got some kind of duty calling for us back in America.”
    Chico frowned. “But this is nonsense! You must rest. And I would like to help you—in my own home.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Caylin asked. Her ears had perked up at the word rest. Jo wasn’t the only one who was wiped out.
    â€œMy house is not large . . . but I would love to offer to you for vacation. In my appreciation, I can give you my home. And I have enough money save to offer you girls your every wish. If only for this short time.”
    â€œThat does sound tempting,” Jo admitted.
    â€œPlease, be my guest. My grandson will love me allforever. He comes to visit tomorrow, and he would love these beautiful girls. . . . He is very handsome.”
    This scenario was sounding better and better. Great R and R, cute grandson, lazy afternoon by the pool . . . Caylin turned to Danielle.
    â€œWhat do you say?” she asked.
    Danielle smiled. “I do think you girls deserve a little time out—but only for a few days.”
    Jo grinned at Chico. Her first real smile all day. “You’re on, Chico. For the next few days we’re going to let our troubles melt in the sun.” Caylin laughed aloud. This was exactly what they needed. Peace, quiet, and a chance for holiday romance. Before long, everything in the world o’ the Spy Girls would be back to normal.
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    â€œHave I at all mentioned in the last five minutes just how totally awesome Danielle is?” Theresa asked the next afternoon. “I don’t think I’ve been this relaxed since before Spy Girl training camp.”
    She picked up a bottle of SPF 30 to apply yet another layer of sunscreen to her face. The Brazilian sun wasn’tsomething to mess around with, no matter how amazing it felt washing over Theresa’s body.
    Caylin flipped a page of a magazine that was Brazil’s answer to People and glanced at Theresa over the top of her huge mirrored sunglasses. “If we had known what a way Danielle has with Uncle Sam, we could have begged her to scam us vacation time from day one.”
    â€œWe didn’t need the vacation on day one,” Jo commented. “Now we do.”
    â€œGood point,” Theresa said.
    After Chico’s visit the night before, Danielle had dialed up Uncle Sam and managed to wheedle a few Spy Girl vacation days from their demanding—if lovable—boss. Go, Danielle!
    The trio had spent the rest of the evening packing and waxing nostalgic about the details of their previous missions. By the time they had arrived at Chico’s this morning, Jo had been at least semirestored to her old self—which was evidenced by her promise to give yet one more go at trying to teach Theresa the samba.
    Theresa had closed her eyes against the bright sun, butnow she felt a presence beside her chair. She opened her eyes and found herself staring at Chico—and the promised grandson. Yes, indeed, said grandson lived up to grandpa’s handsome description. Even a self-confessed geek like Theresa could appreciate green eyes, jet-black hair, and well-sculpted chest muscles.
    â€œWhy, hello ,” Caylin greeted them, beating both of her fellow Spy Girls to the proverbial punch. “We have been so looking forward to making your acquaintance.”
    â€œGirls, this is my grandson, Pedro. He told me by the window that he never sees girls