Josie could do to keep from smiling, knowing that when they left, Mrs. Murphy would have something to say to the younger receptionist.
“You may go on back,” Mrs. Murphy said. “I won't announce you. I'll let your father be surprised.”
Walking down the hallway, they quickly made it to the end office, and she was glad her father's door was open but no one else was there.
“Josie!” Her father's smile was wide as he hustled around the desk and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. “I was just telling your mother that we needed to see you. Oh, I do hope you'll stay so that she can have a chance to spend some time with you as well.”
The feel of her father's arms around her as she rested her cheek on his shoulder always sent comfort through her, and this was no different. She blinked away the tears that threatened to fall, uncertain why they were so close to the surface.
As her father pushed her back gently and stared at her face, his eyes narrowed. Jerking his head toward Jorge, he reached his hand out for a shake while saying, “What's going on? I thought this was just going to be an update from you, but now, seeing Josie, I'm worried.”
“Dad, you can talk to me,” she jokingly complained.
“I'm not ignoring you, sweetheart, but I'd rather hear from the investigator what's going on.”
“I agree, sir,” Jorge said. He nodded his head toward the chairs. “Josie, why don't you have a seat?”
“Yes, yes, I'm sorry. Please, sit,” John agreed, waving his hand toward the chairs in front of the desk.
As Josie settled into her seat, she was aware that Jorge had stepped away from her. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched as he closed the door before moving back to shift the empty chair closer to hers. Once seated, his assessing gaze roamed over her face before he smiled.
Her heart was pounding as though she were sixteen years old and introducing her parents to her boyfriend, but his smile eased the butterflies inside.
“Sir—”
“Please, call me John.”
“John, it's important for me to start out saying that LSI is making headway in finding out who is threatening your daughter. Another threat came in yesterday, and we are coordinating our efforts with an FBI agent experienced in fraud. I'm not leaving Josie’s side, but the last threat was her tires being slashed yesterday evening when we were in the grocery store. While I wasn't able to keep that from happening while being inside with her, the most important thing to me is keeping her safe and out of harm's way.”
John nodded emphatically but his brow, creased with worry-lines, gave evidence to his concern. “Josie, I'm so sorry that happened. But I quite agree with Jorge. He should be right with you.”
“There's something else I need to tell you, John. Josie felt like it would come better from her on her own time, but I'm not a man to have anyone think I'm taking advantage of them or a situation.”
“I don't understand.” John's eyes moved between both of them, his head tilted slightly.
Just as Jorge was about to speak, Josie reached over and linked fingers with him, needing his touch as an anchor. “What Jorge wants to tell you, Dad, is that we're seeing each other… um… dating. While it may seem fast to you, please, keep in mind that I'm almost thirty years old, and I know my own mind.”
John's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed for a few seconds, almost in disbelief. He glanced down at their linked fingers, then suddenly smiled widely. “Josie? Jorge?”
Wishing her mouth was not so dry, she nodded. Jorge’s fingers caressed lightly over her hand, and she let out a calming breath. “Yes, Dad?”
“Praise, God!” John said, throwing his hands into the air. “I couldn’t be happier for you.”
Josie blinked, surprised at her father's exuberance. “Wow, Dad.”
John moved around his desk again and pulled Josie to her feet, hugging her tightly. “Sweet, baby girl, all I've ever wanted is for you to be happy and healthy. But every parent wants to see their child in a loving relationship. Maybe I shouldn't have used the word loving. Maybe that's too soon or too old-fashioned, but knowing that you've got someone taking your back, and not just as a job, makes me feel so much better.”
He let go of Josie but only to reach his hand out toward Jorge. “I'm not just saying this because you're the governor's