Betting on Hope by Kay Keppler Page A

she had any evidence that Big Julie was a leg man.
    “So what’s this cozy little meeting going on in here?” a strident female voice asked.
    Hope looked up to see a gorgeous, pampered, unhappy-looking young woman storm into the room. The young woman stared at her tight pink camisole and exposed thigh with deep suspicion.
    Wrong outfit for her, Hope thought. I blew it.
    “Hello,” Hope said, trying to sound unthreatening. “I’m—”
    “Baby, honey,” Big Julie said, placating. “This here is—what did you say your name was again, Sweetheart?”
    Hope blinked. “Hope,” she said. “Hope McNaughton.”
    “Hope, here, is just asking me if she can play in next Saturday’s game.”
    “Oh, is that what she’s here for,” Baby said, crossing her arms, glaring at Hope. “I thought it was for something else.”
    “Baby, you know I would never—”
    “I’m watching you, Big Julie. You are never getting out of my sight until—”
    And then, as Hope watched Big Julie gaze at the angry china-doll blonde, Hope saw an Idea enter Big Julie’s head. His eyes went from desperate to smug in a second. And then she knew she was in the game—on Big Julie’s terms, whatever they were.
    He looked at Hope with a diabolical smile. “Hope here wants to play in the big leagues. And I was just about to tell her that she’s in if she brings a stake of two hundred to the table and you take her shopping. Today. At three-thirty . And not a minute later.”
    “What? No,” Hope said, feeling excitement and confusion overtake her. “Shopping? Why?”
    “Three-thirty today,” Big Julie said. “Three-thirty today , you and Baby here go shopping. And you bring two hundred to the game next Saturday, and you can play.”
    Hope felt her heart pound. She was in the game. And all she had to do was spend one afternoon shopping and bring a two hundred dollar stake.
    “Me?” Baby said, incredulous. “Take her shopping? No way.”
    “Spend what you like,” Big Julie said, uttering the magic words.
    “Why do I have to take her shopping?” Baby asked, still suspicious.
    “Are you kidding?” Big Julie asked, smug with victory. “She can’t play cards looking like that.”
    “ What? ” Hope said, “Of course I—” But Baby looked at Hope, appraising her outfit. Evidently what Big Julie said made sense to her.
    “Well, okay, I’ll do it,” she said. “But don’t expect miracles.”
    “Hey,” Hope said.
    “So if you could just leave Hope and me for a second to settle some details, I’ll be in to settle some details with you, too,” Big Julie said. “Only yours will take longer.”
    Baby sniffed, but she tossed her head and left the room. The second she was gone, Big Julie leaned forward.
    “My wife is coming at three-thirty today,” he said. “If you want to play next Saturday, you will take Baby shopping today and every day until then.”
    “What?” Hope said, her head spinning. “I can’t. I have to work. ”
    “Take it or leave it,” Big Julie said. “I don’t care. And don’t forget, you need two hundred, too.”
    “Shopping, every day,” Hope said. She hated shopping, and Baby didn’t like her. That should be fun. But at least she could afford the stake—Marty would be surprised. “And two hundred dollars. That at least I can manage.”
    “Two hundred dollars—you’re a kidder,” Big Julie said. “I like that.”
     

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
    Hope met her uncles at the Golden Palace all-you-can-eat four-ninety-five Chinese dim-sum buffet for a late lunch. They claimed a table and headed for the serving area, where steam tables and iced platters of dumplings, noodle dishes, meat morsels, and steamed seafood beckoned. Marty picked up a plate and contemplated the choices.
    “How did the meeting with Big Julie go?” he asked as he piled some barbecued ribs onto his plate. “He must have said you can play. What’s the stake?”
    “Two hundred dollars.” Hope looked over the cold