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Jo’s lips parted to release a soft gasp. “You—”
“Dad?”
Jo quickly moved her hand from under Daniel’s hand, and her face heated with embarrassment. She slightly turned in her chair to see a young woman standing by the back door, who was already staring at her with interest, her steel-gray eyes so reflective of the man sitting beside Jo.
“Hi, sweet pea. I didn’t know you were coming here today,” Daniel spoke brightly as he rose from his seat to go to her.
The young woman’s gaze switched from Jo toward her father and a broad, warm smile graced her lips.
“Hi, Daddy,” she said breathily the second Daniel stood in front of her and wrapped her in his arms.
Jo noticed that her head was resting just under his chin. She had to be about five feet nine inches or five feet ten inches tall.
“I came to invite you to lunch with me and Jeff. I wasn’t expecting that you would have a guest,” the young woman said, looking from her father to Jo, who was now standing and gripping the back of the chair as she stood in awkwardness.
“Let me introduce you,” Daniel replied, turning in Jo’s direction.
Jo felt her heartbeat pick up speed and her hand gripping the chair began to slacken as moisture sprung in her palm.
“Laura, this is Josephine Hamilton Boyer.”
“Well, I’m glad to know my assumptions weren’t off,” the woman replied with a glint in her eyes as she smirked up at her father before flashing Jo a broad smile. “Hi, I’m Laura. It’s nice to finally meet you and put a face to the name.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you as well,” Jo replied, taking the hand Laura offered, giving her an uncertain smile before looking back at Daniel. “You said finally meet?”
“Um, yeah, Dad’s spoken about you a lot this past month. I feel like I already know you.”
Jo stared wide-eyed at the young woman before fixing Daniel with a quizzical look. She noted how he cast his gaze to the ground as he scratched the back of his neck.
“Good things, I hope?” Jo asked, trying to ease the awkwardness.
“Oh, yes,” Laura confirmed. “He said, you’re kind, you’re a great chef, and you’re thoughtful. I think it’s because he li—”
“All right, Laura. I’m sure Jo gets the picture,” Daniel interrupted, a reddish undertone forming on his face and neck.
From the glint in Laura’s eyes and from the way she turned to smirk at her father, Jo could tell that she wasn’t quite ready to quit yet.
“You said you and Jeff wanted to take me to lunch. Is he here?” Daniel pointedly stared at his daughter as if willing her to move the conversation in the direction he wanted.
“Yep, he’s in the living room taking a business call,” Laura answered. “Seeing as you have a special guest, maybe a rain check… or you and Josephine are welcome to join us.” Laura looked from Daniel to Jo with a hopeful expression.
“That is a kind offer, but I think I have already overstayed my welcome,” Jo gracefully declined. “I need to get back home, so you don’t have to disrupt your plans for me. Daniel can still go to lunch with you.”
“Okay, no problem. I hope you’ll be able to join us at another time, maybe.”
“I would like that.” Jo smiled broadly at the young woman who was already smiling at her with such sincerity. “It was nice meeting you, Laura.”
“It was nice meeting you, too, Jo,” Laura replied.
“I’ll walk you to your car,” she heard Daniel offer.
“Thanks,” Jo replied before following him down the steps and heading toward the front.
“Bye, Jo.” Laura waved at her.
“Bye, Laura.” Jo waved back at the young woman. “She’s lovely.” Jo grinned up at Daniel as they stood at her car. She was pleasantly surprised at how easy it had been to fall into conversation with Laura. It had been so easy to talk to her, and Jo couldn’t help the feeling that the young woman was trying to hint at the interest her father had in her.
Daniel beamed down at Jo. “She is,” he agreed. “But she’s also very direct. I’m sorry about that.” He gave her a sheepish look.
