Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Lena watched Josefina's departing figure with astonishment, then she began to sow discord.

"Did I overhear someone say there's trouble brewing? Josie wasn't exactly living the high life before, right? She wouldn't be mixed up with some street thugs, would she?"

Robert cast a glance at her, and Lena guiltily dropped her gaze, yet persisted in a hushed tone, "Grandpa, I'm just worried about Josie. What if she's been duped by someone?"

Hattie responded with unwavering confidence, "I trust Josie's character. She's my daughter, and my faith in her is unshakeable."

Garrett chimed in, "I'll shoot Josie a text, see if she needs any help. The road hasn't been easy for her, and it's on us if she's felt let down."

Lena remained silent, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Couldn't Hattie and Garrett see what she was trying to say? Josefina might be rubbing shoulders with shady characters, didn't they care at all?

Robert observed the changing expressions on Lena's face, his expression increasingly serious. He spoke with a deep voice, carrying a powerful aura accumulated over the years. "Speculation helps no one, Lena. We don't jump to conclusions or spread unfounded rumors in the Harrison family. Isn't that how we taught you to handle things?"

Lena was visibly shaken, "Grandpa, I didn't mean anything by it. It's just Josie's safety is all I'm thinking about."

"Josie's a skilled healer, out there doing good, and saving lives. Why does it sound like she's off crossing moral lines when you talk about her?" Robert sad, his disappointment evident. Tears welled in Lena's eyes, her emotions threatening to spill over.

Hattie reached out and gently patted her hand. "Lena, your grandpa has a point. Josie's not a bad egg. She's surely out there doing what she does best - helping the sick and injured." Sniffling, Lena looked up, her voice quivering, "Mom, I'm the foolish one. I spoke out of turn."

Garrett intervened, "Let's eat before the food gets cold. I'll check in with Josie later, see if she needs a hand or what's gotten her so tied up."

Robert said no more, finished his meal, and left the table. His new smartphone awaited, along with the prospect of showing it off to Brandon.

Josefina rushed to the hospital, her heart in her throat. Luke had been attacked. Someone had stabbed Luke in the abdomen, and his hand was damaged, the tendons severed. He was in critical condition. Percy, suited up for surgery, was ready to go in when Josefina arrived. She's drenched in sweat from her hurried journey, and all eyes turned to her as she entered.

"There you are, Josie," Percy said, his voice warm with relief.

Tori, nursing superficial wounds, had yet to be bandaged. Without a moment's hesitation, Josefina instructed Percy, "You start on Luke. I'll get changed."

Inside the operating room, Josefina took the lead in Luke's surgery, with Percy as her assistant. The other doctors and nurses present were surprised to see a physician as competent as Percy assisting a young woman like Josefina. But as Josefina worked with precision and skill, any lingering doubts were silenced by her expertise.

Following Hattie, Lena arrived at the hospital. Hattie had called Josefina, but it was Tori who picked up and gave her the location. Lena hadn't expected to end up here, in a place that reminded her of her own setbacks.

If Josefina hadn't come into the picture, would Lena have lost her job?

Filled with resentment, Lena accompanied Hattie to where Tori was being treated.

Tori was already bandaged up, his arms wounded and his neck wrapped, causing Hattie to gasp in alarm at the sight.