Caught in the Net (16 page)

“How did you?”

“Michael.  He knew that I would start screaming if the
shoes didn’t come off, so he untied them as soon as Scott turned his back,” she
snickered.

Rich kissed her.  “Maybe we should humor him and put
your sneakers on.”

“I don’t think so.  Wanna do me a favor?  Grab the
nail polish from my bathroom cabinet and paint my toenails.”  She grinned,
wiggling her well-manicured toes. 

Rich sighed, grabbing a bottle of candy pink polish. 
“I think half the testosterone just left my body.  I never thought I would see
the day I’d be doing this,” he commented, concentrating on his assigned task. 
He stroked her slender ankles as he dabbed on the polish.  She even had
beautiful feet.  He began to massage her in-step, careful not to mess up his
artwork.

“Damn, that feels good.  Okay, you are hired,” she
groaned.

“I might not be able to swirl you, but I can make you
as weak as you make me.  Just wait,” he promised.

“Oh, I am waiting... but not patiently.  You have
incredible hands.”

“Thank you.  Other foot.”  He massaged lotion over her
foot and calves, lingering along her sensitive areas with gentle caresses of
his fingers. 

Sam fought not to throw herself at him.  “I am
counting the days for six months.  If you can make me feel this way on my feet,
I can only imagine what you can do everywhere else,” she whispered, wrapping
her arms around his neck.  He kissed her passionately, his hand gently caressing
her ribs and the side of her breast.

“My only fear is that I’ll hurt you.  You’re tiny,” he
commented. 

She met his eyes eagerly.  “If you are suggesting that
you are nicely packaged, I already know that.  I’ve felt you against me several
times.  I wouldn’t worry.  The way you make me feel, I can take anything you
have to give,” she stated securely. 

He stood up, helping her to her feet.  “Let’s just
remember our promises, okay?”

“We should really consider exploring and clarifying
the terms of that agreement and lay down the interpretation of the terminology
implied.”

“And you should really consider going to law school. 
Let’s go downstairs.”

Jen arrived promptly at 1500, armed with munchies
appropriate for a game night.

“Cheetos!  MINE!” Sam exclaimed, grabbing the bag
after hugging her new friend. 

Michael snatched it from his sister, holding it out of
her reach.  “Share!  Come on, Jen, meet the family.  They are outside on the
deck.”

“This house is gorgeous.  Oh wow, beach access?”

“Yep.  Dad?  Uncle Scott?  I’d like you to meet
Jennifer Carter.”  He held her tucked under his right arm as he introduced
them.  Despite their heights, Jen immediately felt comfortable and safe with
their warm, inviting smiles.  They both shook her hand and, pulling her away
from Michael's protective embrace, settled her onto the lounger.

“Would you care for anything to drink?”

“I’m only 19, Dr. Quimby.”

“Please, call me Joe or Doc.  Are you sure?  I have
wine coolers.”

“That sounds great, thank you.  Mike?  Are you having
one?”

“I’ve got a beer.  That will last me all night,”
Michael said, sitting next to her. 

Scott offered her some chips and salsa, joining them. 
“I hear you’re interested in doing some intern work in the lab.  When does
school let out?”

“Next week, Dr. Jenkins… Scott,” she smiled, enjoying
the attention from the two older, handsome men.  “Samantha said she was going
to try to hook me up.”

“The bio lab is her baby.  Just let us know if you
need anything.  We’ll have to run a clearance on you.  Do you have any deep
dark secrets we should know about?” Scott asked cheerfully. 

She made a face, thinking.  “Um, yes.  I stole a pack
of gum from the gas station when I was ten.  Oh, and I got a C on a spelling
test once.”

“Oh no, so much for you doing government work,” Scott
teased, liking the girl.

“I know, I’m terrible.  How I got accepted to UCSD
I’ll never know.  Probably because I'm so cute,” she answered back.

“Ooo, a little sassy?  Good.  Mike needs a challenge,”
Scott laughed.

“Like having Samantha around him isn’t enough?  It
appears that she is already starting to affect you, Jennifer.  Watch out,” Dr.
Quimby grinned.

“I don’t think I’m the one to be worried here,” she
laughed, eyeing Michael. 

He rolled his eyes, handing her the wine cooler.  “I
think you’re right.”

“Well, it looks like we’re going to be the ones making
dinner tonight since the midget hurt her hand.  Any preferences, Miss
Jennifer?” Dr. Quimby asked.

“Not for me.  I’ll eat anything as long as it doesn’t
look at me.”

“A girl after my own heart.  I’ll take some steaks
out, how’s that?”

“Sounds great.  I’m a dorm student working as a waitress. 
I don’t get out much nowadays.”

“We’ll have to change that.  I think we can budget
some stipend into the internship.  I'll check on Monday,” Dr. Quimby promised.

“You work with Samantha?”

“Why, yes.  Didn’t they tell you?” Dr. Quimby asked. 

Michael shook his head.  “I really haven’t said
anything about work.  It didn’t come up.”

“I see.  You didn’t want to intimidate the young
lady.  Good for you, son.  I’m Scott’s sub-commander at Pt. Loma.  He’s the
base commander.  We are both flag officers and the kids are 1
^st
lieutenants.”

“Like as generals?  But, you are so young!” the girl
exclaimed. 

Scott nodded with satisfaction.  “I like this one.  If
you don’t want her, I’m taking her.  Finally, someone who appreciates how good
I look.”

“Don’t get him started, I beg you,” Michael said,
hearing Jen laugh loudly. 

“Let me find your sister and Rich, then we can play,”
Dr. Quimby announced.  He found the two behind the boulder in the back. “If you
two don’t mind coming up for air, it’s time to get your butts kicked.”

“That's what you think, Daddy. We are on to you,” Sam
warned with an evil grin.

* * * * *

“You two are cheating!” Rich pointed.  He saw Scott tuck
a card into his shoe.

“I told you they cheat.  But I also have a near
eidetic memory.  That means that his only option is that ace.  Daddy has a two
of clubs and Michael has a queen of hearts.  That gives me a royal flush.  We
win.”

“That’s it.  Two out of three.”  Scott threw his cards
on the table.

Jen shook her head.  “I can’t believe you cheated. 
You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

“Like hell they are.  You should see them in the
ring.  They bribe the ref to call in their favor,” Michael announced. 

Scott shrugged.  “We’re old and need every advantage
we can get.  Well Joe, looks like you’re cooking dinner.”

“Me?  The losing team cooks!”

“Come on, Mike.  The old man needs our help.”  Scott
elbowed his nephew.  “If you will please excuse us, ladies.”

“They are hysterical!  I can’t believe we won!” Jen
exclaimed. 

Sam elbowed her, reaching beneath her thigh and
pulling out some cards.  “They aren’t the only ones who know how to cheat.  I’m
just surprised Michael didn’t catch on.  That’s how we usually win against
them.”

“You little brat!” Rich exclaimed, looking at the
cards.  “I better watch out for you.”

“As long as you’re on my team, you have nothing to
worry about.  So, Jen?  How are you doing?”

“I love it here.  I’ve never felt more comfortable in
my entire life.  Your family is fabulous.  They are so funny.”

“I love being around them.  People always thought
Michael and I were weird because we would prefer to hang out with our folks
instead of going to social gatherings; and we love family vacations.  They have
their quirks, but I can live with that.  This is my favorite hangout.”

“It’s become mine too.”  Rich added, “It gets lonely
sometimes at the BOQ and I know I always have a place to go and feel welcome. 
They take good care of me.”

“They love you.  Scott adopted you the very first
day.  You’re good for us, too,” Sam said, snuggling against his arm.

“How’s the hand?”

“It hurts all the way to my fingertips and up my arm. 
The jerk got a nerve,” she said, flexing carefully.

“My poor baby,” Rich said, kissing the bandage.  “Can
I get you anything?”

“Endorphins would be nice…” she hinted.

“No way.”

“We could go running.”

“That was NOT what you are suggesting, brat,” Rich
scolded. 

Jen giggled, “You are so cute together.  I’m guessing
your dads are okay with the age difference.”

“It's not that bad, only five years.  Plus, Rich is
such a gentleman that they couldn’t resist him.  They also know that anyone
closer to my age would be too immature for me.”

“They are also aware that she tends to do whatever she
wants to, so it was easier for them to give us permission,” Rich tsked.

“You’re lucky.  My dad never let me have my way.”

“Oh, don’t misunderstand me,” Rich corrected her. 
“They don’t LET her, she just does it.  And pays the consequences.  She is a
little spoiled, but they are very strict.”

“They don’t seem that way.”

“I am not spoiled,” Sam pouted.

 “Hang around a bit and you’ll see for yourself.  This
is a military household.  Duty, Honor, Obedience.”

“Right after Love, Respect and Honesty.  How’s it
going?” Dr. Quimby asked, joining them.

“Great.  They were trying to convince me that you guys
are strict,” Jen smiled sweetly. 

Dr. Quimby nodded his head.  “We are.  My kids don’t
get away with too much, but we are also very fair and know how to listen.  I
need to change your dressing, honey.  Can you take a break?”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes.  Go to my room, I’ll be there in a minute. 
That’s a good girl.”  He kissed her cheek as she walked by.  Jen looked at the
floor.  “Hey, sweetheart, what's wrong?” Dr. Quimby gently asked. 

She had tears in her eyes.  “I just realized that I’m
really homesick.  I miss my family, even my pest brothers.  We aren’t as close
as you guys are, but I still miss them.  It's kind of lonely here.”

“Aw, honey, shh...” Dr. Quimby said softly, sitting
next to her and pulling her against his broad chest.  She started to cry and he
rocked her in his arms.  Michael walked in, freezing in mid-step as he
witnessed the event.  He looked at Rich who mouthed ‘homesick’ to him.  Michael
sat quietly, waiting patiently.  “Son, would you please go and change your
sister’s dressing?  There, there, baby, it’s okay.  Go on and cry.  It been a
long time coming, hasn’t it?”

Rich went with Michael to his father’s room and shared
the events with Sam. 

She nodded.  “I know.  She talked a little about it. 
Daddy will make it better, he always does.  Ow…”

“I’m being gentle.  This is inflamed,” Michael said,
probing the wound.  He quickly cleaned and redressed it, kissing her hand. 
“All done.  That wasn’t bad, was it?”

“No, you did okay.  Your bedside manner is almost as
good as Daddy's.  Should we go back down?”

“Rich and I will stay up here and give her some
privacy.  You go down and check and let us know when it’s a good time to return,”
Michael suggested. 

Nodding, the girl obeyed.  She joined her new friend
on the couch, “Hey, Jen.  How’s it going?  Can I help with anything?” she asked
gently, as her father continued to hold the sniffling girl. 

“I’ll be okay.  I’m so embarrassed.  I’m so sorry.”

Scott handed her a tissue.  “Why would you be
embarrassed?” he asked quietly, “You are safe here and have a new family to
care for you.  Besides, most girls start crying when they look at Joe’s ugly
face.  It scares them.”

“Shut your yap, Scott.  Be nice,” Dr. Quimby ordered. 

Jen sat up, covering her face with her hands, “I must
look hideous.  Hide me before Mike sees me.”

“You think he doesn’t witness tears?  This one is a
water spout,” Scott commented.

“But Sam is his sister.  It’s different.”

“Jen, trust me.  You look fine and Michael won’t
care.  The men in my family aren’t afraid to show emotions.  If you haven’t
noticed, they are very touchy, feely.  They still kiss Mike on the cheek, even
if it’s in the middle of the chow hall.”

“Of course we do.  And no one would dare say anything
against it,” Dr. Quimby chuckled.  He patted Jen’s hand.  “You just come
straight to either Scott or me, if you feel the need for a daddy fix, okay?  We
will both be more than happy to oblige.  We have had lots of practice.”

“I might take you up on that.  This is the first time
I’ve been away from home and it’s really scary sometimes.”