Whatever her reaction, Joe wasn't expecting that and it caught him off guard, but her embrace was not unwelcome. Joe closed his eyes and returned it. Perhaps it was the closeness of another human being who cared, or fate, or the fact it was Saturday, but Joe's inner little voice chose that moment to talk to him, and he just happened to be in a listening mood.

You go now, you'll lose Pearl and ye'll be running from Carrington forever!  Plus you owe him a smack.

"Ok. I'll stay." Joe whispered softly.