Page 34 of The Library on Plum Island
“Why? Were you discussing what Santa’s bringing me for Christmas this year?” Alex gave his brother a teasing grin.
“Alex!” Ethan growled warningly. “How long?”
Alex shrugged. “Not long.”
“Six minutes,” Dawn told them. “I parked the car as my phone rang. When I answered, Alex jumped out of the car and entered the front door as I said hello. My call lasted six minutes.”
“Oh, so now you’re a snitch,Miss Daisy!“ Alex taunted her.
“If you’re referring to me not wanting to exceed the speed limit while you kept insisting that I do on our way here, then you should know that Miss Daisy wasn’t the one who drove slowly. That would be the chauffeur her son hired after Miss Daisy crashed her car into her neighbor’s yard,” Dawn corrected him. “Unless you’re insinuating that I crash cars, which would also be inaccurate because the only one of us I know that’s crashed their car more than once is…” she acted like she had to think about it. “Mm… Oh yes—You!”
“May I see your phone?” Harley walked up to Alex, saving him from answering Dawn.
“Here.” Alex handed the phone to Harley before walking with him toward the sofa, gratefully accepting Harley’s silent help.
“Do you mind if my uncle and I keep your phone for a while so we can try and trace the call?” He glanced at Sam. “It’s a blocked number.”
“We can give it a shot,” Sam said.
“Keep it for as long as you need,” Alex told him. “Anyone who needs me can contact Ethan, Harriet, or Dawn.”
Alex sat on the sofa while Dawn plopped into an armchair beside him.
“So now I’m your chauffeur and secretary.” Sarcasm dripped from Dawn’s voice.
Before Alex could answer, Harley asked, “You got this message forty-five minutes ago?”
Alex nodded and glared at Dawn accusingly. “Yes. We would’ve been here sooner, but Dawn had to change her clothes.”
“I was in my pajamas, Alex!” Dawn pointed out impatiently.
“You shouldn’t even be out of bed,” Daniella stated, pushing herself to her feet. “Let alone driving anywhere. You could’ve just called Harley.”
“I thought maybe Sam or Harley would want to try trace this,” Alex explained to Daniella. “And don’t worry, Dawn drove me, and trust me, the way she drove, we were in no danger other than being pulled over for going too slow or if we suddenly found ourselves having to partake in a high-speed chase.”
Alex’s heart went wild as Daniella sat beside him.
“May I?” Daniella asked, reaching toward his forehead.
Their eyes locked, and Alex felt his throat go dry as he nodded. Her soft, cool hand touched his forehead.
“I should’ve let Harriet drive you!” Dawn glared at him.
“I’m glad Dawn drove you. She sounds like she’s a responsible driver.” Daniella smiled at him. “You don’t need to be stressed out right now with Harriet behind the wheel.”
Alex’s heart warmed at the look of worry in her eyes which gave him hope that she may care about him a little.
“If Harriet had driven him here,” Dawn advised Daniella, “it would’ve been her you’d have to treat for stress, as Alex is the worst backseat driver! He kept yelling at me to go faster.”
“Excuse me, I’m just going to get my doctor’s bag so I can take your vitals and check your wound while you’re here.” Daniella hid a smile as she stood and excused herself before leaving the room.
Alex couldn’t blame her for not wanting to get in the middle of an argument with Dawn.
“I wasn’t in the backseat,” Alex pointed out. “I was in the passenger seat, and I wish Harriet had driven me here because we would’ve gotten here sooner than the sloth, snail, and tortoise that left the same time as us and got here faster.”
Boof!Alex’s face was hit by a cushion. “Ow! My hand.”
“Wow! So your hands are attached to your face now!” Dawn shook her head.
