Free Bikinis in Paradise (Tj Jensen Pardise Lake Mysteries) by Kathi Daley Page B

down a bit. Tj knew she’d never had children and her husband had died more than thirty years ago. Most felt that as far as Hazel was concerned, the post office, which had been a constant in her life for more than fifty years, was the only family she had left.
    “Has there been a problem?”
    “You bet there ’s been a problem.” Hazel’s eyes flashed in annoyance. “One of those trollops you’re harboring at the resort had the nerve to come into my post office wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and a bathing suit top. The sign on the front door specifically states that both shirts and shoes must be worn in this establishment at all times.”
    “That’s true , but this is a beach town, and most of the businesses loosen the rules a bit during bikini season.”
    “Well , this establishment is not one of those places and the rule is nonnegotiable. Just because we have a beach nearby doesn’t mean we have to live like heathens. The girl had bare feet, shorts so short as to be indecent, and a barely concealed bosom. I told the woman that she would need to come back later wearing proper attire if she wanted me to post her package. She tried to argue, but the rules are the rules, and if we choose to ignore them, it won’t be long before society as a whole leans toward anarchy.”
    Tj figured she’d get an earful from whichever model was turned away when she got back to the resort. Hazel was a strong woman who could be a wonderful and supportive friend, but at times her ideals were so completely outdated that many thought they bordered on the absurd.
    “The reason I’m here is because I’m looking for this girl .” Tj handed Hazel the photo. “Do you know her?”
    “Of course I know her. I make it my business to know everyone.”
    “Fantastic.” Tj was trying hard to hold her temper with the cranky woman. Hazel hadn’t always been as snarky as she’d been lately; it seemed the aches and pains associated with her advancing age had turned a proper but polite woman into a bitter old lady. “Have you seen her in the past day or two?”
    “I haven’t seen her in over a year. She moved away , from what I’ve been told.”
    “She ’s part of the group from the Tropical Tan contest,” Tj informed her. “She came up the mountain with the other models yesterday, but no one has seen her since. I’m trying to get hold of anyone who might know of her whereabouts. I understand that you know her grandmother.”
    “Nona Cooper.” Hazel nodded.
    “Do you have a way of getting in touch with her?”
    “You say that Kiara was with those models?” Hazel frowned. Whereas Frannie had had a look of delight when she’d learned that Kiara had gotten away from her strict upbringing to do something new, Hazel obviously disapproved of the girl’s choice.
    “Yes , ma’am. She was doing quite well. After months of preliminary competitions, she was chosen as part of the final twenty-five. It’s really quite an accomplishment.”
    “And she left after she arrived?” Hazel clarified.
    “Yes. She left with this man after the bus arrived.” Tj handed Hazel the sketch Doc had drawn of the man who met Kiara at the bus.
    “Aaron ,” Hazel stated with certainty.
    “Aaron?”
    “Her fiancé,” Hazel informed Tj.
    “I wasn’t aware that Kiara was engaged.” The truth of the matter was that not one piece of information Tj had gained since the models had arrived suggested that Kiara was engaged.
    “Nona told me that Kiara wasn’t keen on the arrangement. I don’t really have all the details , but I believe it was something her father agreed to with another man in the village.”
    “Kiara was in an arranged engagement?”
    “Apparently.”
    “No wonder she left the area. Do you think you can set up a meeting for me with Nona?” Tj asked.
    “Nona is particular about who she speaks to. I doubt she’d want to talk to you , although she does know your grandpa and might be willing to talk to him. I suppose I could set