Blind Date Turned Proposal

By this point, Josie had come to her wit’s end, and her voice turned hoarse with her frustration tipped over. “But he’s not the only criminal on the run in the entire Wavery!”

Arnold paused in his attempt to dab her tears away, taken aback by her sudden outburst, “Wow. Easy now. You sound pretty worked up.”

As Pop’s disappearance neared twenty-four hours, Josie was on edge, visibly worn out.

Arnold playfully pinched her cheek, “When was your last shut-eye?”

“Why do you care? I’m done here.”

Josie shoved him aside and unsteadily got to her feet, ready to leave.

Arnold’s grip gently pulled her back into place.

“Where do you think you’re going being in this state? Planning to walk right into the enemy’s clutches? That’s a one-way ticket to disaster. They’ve got your Pop, and their motive’s likely more complex than just wanting cash. They might be using him as leverage against you or Dexter.”

If it was about blackmail, the perpetrators would reveal their hands sooner or later.

began to steady Josie, though worry still furrowed her brow. “What if they hurt. Pop?”

had just undergone surgery, so he wasn’t fit for additional stress.

against his shoulder, “Driving yourself crazy won’t help. Get some rest

Josie expected, and she

and refrained from moving, Josie napping on his shoulder, seeming more precious than

head to sneak a look at her serene sleeping face, an unfamiliar helplessness

snapshot with his phone, he looked at

up, wincing from the all-over soreness, she glanced up at Arnold and

and all I get is suspicion,” Arnold quipped, his

door was swung open. “We’ve got a situation! Scar and the others have been cornered and

playful grin disappeared. “By

at Josie and then at Arnold, … Dexter… Mr.

was equally stunned.

the room, but thanks to his long legs, Arnold surged ahead and grasped her arm, urging, “You need to lay low.

was etched on her face. “What if

reminiscent of an operation to catch a cheating spouse?

serious, his voice determined. “If he were after you, he wouldn’t have taken Scar.”