Chapter 16
His voice was like a feather tickling the heartstrings.
Josefina looked at the gifts galore, which were enough to stock a supermarket. “Alrighty,” she said. She had just cooked up some newfangled pills and wondered if Brandon would be a good guinea pig.
After hanging up the phone and scribbling her signature, the delivery guy split.
Garrett rolled in from outside, his driver in tow, arms laden with takeout. Eyeballing the yard full of gifts, Garrett’s face went from shock to all smiles. “Kiddo, it looks like you hit the jackpot shopping today. Nice! If you love it, grab it. I hustle to make the dough, and you gals get to blow it.”
Garrett wasn’t even mad when he assumed she’d gone on a shopping spree. Billy couldn’t hold a candle to that. With a chuckle, Hattie clarified, “These aren’t my purchases. They’re prezzies Oliver sent over for Josie.”
“What!” Garrett’s face did a double–take.
Josefina explained, “I saved Brandon, and this is his way of saying thanks. He’s hoping I’ll keep an eye on his granddad and play doctor.”
Garrett was gobsmacked again. “Josie, you’re into medicine, too?”
Hattie’s face was a picture of sympathy. “Oh, my poor baby girl. What kind of life did you have with the Antonios? To have such mad skills at such a young age must have been tough.”
Hattie held Josefina’s hand, feeling more and more cut up about it. Her own flesh and blood had been through the wringer. This left her feeling guilty and heartbroken.
Hattie suggested, “Sweetheart, let’s return the gifts to the Baldwins. No need for you to make bank. Your job is to spend it. Leave the grind to us.”
Garrett was on the same page, earnestly adding, “Josie, I’ve got your back, too. You might’ve had to fend for yourself with the Antonios, but now you’re home. Forget fending for yourself. You’ve got three brothers. The whole fam’s hustling for you to splurge–just be happy.”
Josefina, touched by her parents‘ love, felt a lump in her throat. She said with teary eyes and a soft smile, “Thank you, but I’m good. I’m an adult, and I dig medicine. Doing what I love isn’t draining at all.”
It was better to rely on yourself than anyone else.
Josefina’s determination made Garrett and Hattie realize just how rough she must’ve had it with the Antonios–they must’ve treated their girl like dirt!
So, Garrett shot off a text, and Billy’s clan was in for some bad luck.
Billy was slicing his steak with finesse when a call came through, sending him up in flames. “What the hell!” “Mr. Antonio, we’re clueless, too. Who did you tick off? They’re ganging up on you, and the company’s tanking!” Who did he tick off? Billy hadn’t the foggiest who he’d rubbed the wrong way!
“Mr. Antonio, you better brainstorm some fixes…” The secretary was sweating bullets. He wanted to keep his job, for Pete’s sake!
Billy slammed the phone down, fury enveloping him like a lit firecracker ready to blow.
Ruby barely dared to breathe. She was panic–stricken, fearful, dreading being shipped back to the orphanage.
A lightbulb went off in Ruby’s head, and she ventured, “Dad, could it be Josefina trying to screw you over?”
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