Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Lena got totally stumped by Josefina's question and was a bit peeved.

Hattie gave Lena's hand a reassuring pat and said, "Josie's right on the money. Why would we ever kick you to the curb? You're the kid I watched grow up. You just keep on living here like always."

Lena had to swallow her pride, and with tears in her eyes, she accepted, "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Josefina." Her pitiful look was so on point no one could find fault with it.

A servant came over and asked, "Ma'am, is it time for breakfast now?"

"Let's chow down. Josie just woke up. She must be starving. And Lena just got back. Let's get started with breakfast."

Hattie treated everyone equally, but it made Lena feel like now that Hattie had her own flesh and blood, all her focus was on her. Lena totally forgot that Josefina went eighteen years without parental love and care, and she surely needed it more than ever now.

Green with envy, Lena couldn't even touch her food. "Mom, I'm feeling a bit sleepy. I think I'll hit the hay. You guys go ahead and eat."

Hattie figured she was just jet-lagged and nodded with affection. "Then off you go to bed. Get some good rest."

Not long after Lena went upstairs, Garrett came down. "Josie, your old man overslept. Lucky you guys haven't finished breakfast." He almost missed the chance to have brekkie with his precious girl! Hattie playfully glared at him. "You've been sleeping like a log lately. Josie's been up for ages, and you're just rolling out of bed now."

Hearing that Garrett was oversleeping, Josefina couldn't help but frown.

As soon as Garrett sat down, Josefina put down her cutlery and said in a low voice, "Let me take your pulse."

Garrett sat up straight and held out his arm, making it easy for Josefina to check his pulse. Hattie held her breath, afraid to disturb Josefina.

After a moment, Josefina lifted her fingertips from the pulse point on Garrett's wrist. Garrett asked cautiously, "Sweetheart, I'm all good, right?" He just got his girl back and wanted to make the most of their time together-no way was he ready to kick the bucket!

Josefina smiled, "You trust me?"

Garrett replied seriously, "You're my kid. Of course, I trust you. And besides, my girl's medical skills are top-notch. I have no doubts."

The night before, Garrett had brought in an old doctor to check on Clover, who, sure enough, had been poisoned. The old doctor couldn't cure her, and Garrett's heart almost froze over. So, Garrett had even more faith in his darling Josefina. Josie's word was gospel!

Josefina chuckled, "Thanks for your trust. There is indeed something up with your health, but don't you worry. I'll go get you some medicine later, and with the right care, you'll be fine." Garrett beamed with pride. "Josie, you're amazing. They say a daughter is her father's protector, and it's so true."

Compared to his sons, Garrett preferred his daughter-she cared about her daddy, unlike those three brats!

Hattie also presented her arm. "My dear, why don't you check my pulse too, Josie? I feel like my sleep hasn't been great lately." She wanted her darling daughter's attention, too.

Watching her parents vie for her affection, Josefina smiled involuntarily, making her look even more lively and adorable. She was eighteen and fresh as a daisy. Those smiling lips were so full of zest for life. Josefina's fingertips rested on Hattie's pulse point with a serious expression, making Hattie suddenly worried she had some deadly disease.

No way, right? She wasn't actually seriously ill, was she?

Garrett's expression mirrored Josefina's serious face. She was the spitting image of her father.

Hattie asked cautiously, "Sweetheart, is my health really that bad?"