Caught in the Net (8 page)

“Inside joke, buddy.  You’ll find out soon enough,”
Michael laughed, seeing his sister blush again.  “Why don’t you introduce Rich
to your team and show him around?  Scott gave him the BOQ to live, too.”

“Wow, he really has fallen for you.  I better watch
out or I will never see you.  Guys?  Gather round, please.  This is Lt. Richard
Lewis.  He’s going to be working with us in neuroengineering.  I expect all of
you to be supportive and available for any questions or assistance he needs. 
Be as nice as you can.  Apparently, Scott has adopted him.”

The crew started laughing, elbowing each other.  Rich,
again, looked confused.  “Somehow I think I’m in for a wild ride here.”

Sam giggled, taking his arm to introduce him
individually to her team.  “You have no idea.”

Rich arrived at the house by 5:45 that evening and
walked into a war zone.

“I told you no.  What part of it don’t you understand,
young lady?  Hello, Richard.  Please, come in and have a seat.  This conversation
will be done shortly,” Dr. Quimby said, standing over his daughter.

She stomped her foot.  “Daddy, this is so not fair! 
Michael gets to…”

“Michael is four years older than you are.  This
discussion is ended, unless you want to meet me upstairs.”

“It’s still not fair.”

“One.”

“Fine!  You win!”

“Samantha...” Dr. Quimby warned in a low voice.

“Oooo... Yes, sir!  You win.  Come on.”  She grabbed
Rich’s hand and pulled him outside in a huff.  He looked helplessly behind him
at her frowning father, who just nodded for him to go.

“What was that about?”

“I wanted to take a helo out this weekend, but he
won’t let me.  It sucks.”

“He’s your bull, you need to listen to him,” Rich
teased, playing with a strand of her hair.

“Don’t you start now.  They think because you’re
around that I’ll be on my best behavior.  Don’t push it, jerks,” she hissed in
the direction of her family. 

Rich hugged her.  “Just be yourself.  I don’t care.
And they aren’t jerks.”

“Yeah, I know.  It just makes me mad.  It’s because
I’m a girl, not my age.  They are so overprotective.”

“They love you.  And, if I understand correctly, they
have a reason to be overprotective.  It sounds like you’ve put them through
hell.  I’d feel the same way.”

“Rich, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to stay out
of trouble.  Just a word of warning, okay?  They don’t care that I’m a legal
adult,” she pouted, hugging him back.

He kissed her, stroking her hair.  “I just don’t want
you getting grounded or something and not being allowed to go out with me.  I’m
a bit selfish.”

“I don’t usually get grounded unless I really screw
up.  And my brother is typically in it with me.”

“They still ground him?  He’s 22 years old.”  Rich
looked amused. 

Sam shrugged.  “They don’t care.  We live in their
house, under their rules.  Believe me, Mike would rather be grounded than
court-marshaled.  Besides, being confined to quarters is no different than
being grounded.”

“True, I never thought of that.  Can I ask you a
question?”

“Sure, anything.”  She leaned against his broad chest,
looking out over the water.

“What did you mean by getting the tail flukes bitten? 
Mike said it was an inside joke.  I’m just curious.”

“Shit.  You’ll find out soon enough anyway, I’m sure.”

“He mentioned that also.  So?”

“God, this is embarrassing…”  She flushed, looking
away.  She sighed, “It means being spanked.”

“You’re kidding.”  His voice cracked with humor and a
huge smile lit across his face.

“No.  And it’s not funny.  They are so incredibly
old-fashioned.  My family seems to think treating me like a child will improve
my behavior.”

“And does it?”

“Did you see me keep up the argument with my dad? 
Yes, it does.  My crew all knows.  You can’t hide things like that on a small
ship.”

“Well, good for them.”  He had a look of satisfaction
on his handsome face. 

Sam frowned.  “What?  You’re supposed to be on my
side.”

“I am.  I’m also in full agreement with them. 
Remember, I told you I had my own ways of dealing with bratting?  That happens
to be my method of choice.”

“Oh God,” she groaned, rolling her eyes.

“Not to worry, I need to be in a longer relationship
with you and have their permission.  But I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment
laying my hand across that beautiful bottom,” Rich whispered. 

She shuddered, groaning again.  “Out of the frying pan
and into the fire.  The story of my life.”

Rich chuckled, reminding her of a deep, throaty warm
purr.  “Would you like to go out tomorrow, then?  We’ll go somewhere quiet to
talk and get to know each other a little better.”

“Yes, I would.  Just be aware I’m on call and, if
anything occurs, I have to be ready.”

“No problem.  Do you wear your wetsuit under your
dress?” he teased. 

She stuck her tongue out at him.  “No, silly, I bring
it in a bag everywhere I go.  It sucks being heloed out of a parking lot right
before dessert, believe me.  I like my dessert.  Especially ice cream.”

“I hope that won’t happen, but I understand.  Ready to
go back in?  I’m getting really hungry.”

“I guess so.  You know, if you want to earn brownie
points with me, you’ll take my side when they start picking on me,” she hinted.

“Sorry, but they scare me more than you do,” Rich
chuckled, escorting her to the door. 

She looked at him, a glint of mischief in her eyes. 
“That’s only because you don’t know me well enough yet.  Trust me, the fear
will change.”

“Hmmm, that’s what I heard the crew say.  I thought they
were joking.”

“Nope.  My displeasure is not something most people
want to deal with, is it Michael?” she asked her frowning brother as he
approached the couple.

“I avoid it if I can.  You calmed down now?” her
brother asked, cupping her chin. 

She nodded.  “Yes, but it’s still not fair.  You get
to go up anytime you want to.  I can’t even drive a car without permission.”

“No, but you get to take the boat or go open.  Oh
wait, that’s right… You have to get my permission for that now, don’t you?” Michael
said, his own eyes twinkling as his sister’s flashed.  “See that, Rich?  Avoid
that look until you know her better.  Chill, sis.  I’m teasing you.”

“Asshole,” she muttered, glancing to make sure her
parents didn’t hear.  Scott did.  He lifted his index finger to count ‘2’.  She
bit her lip.  She was on thin ice.

“Sorry, Michael,” she apologized, lowering her face. 

He kissed her forehead.  “Accepted.  Dad made étouffée
tonight.  Hope you’re hungry.” 

They sat together at the dining room table and engaged
in normal, family conversation, making sure to include Rich. 

Sam elbowed her brother.  “Told you Scott adopted
him.  It looks like Daddy did as well.”

“He’s gonna make a good addition to this family.  Now
you need to find me a nice girl.  No servicewomen please.”

“On it.  Rich looks so happy.  This is good for him,
too.”

“So tell us more about yourself, son.  I’m incredibly
nosey, but I can mind my own business if I want to,” Scott said to Rich, after
sharing how the family came together.

“Which is never,” Dr. Quimby mumbled. 

Rich shrugged.  “Not much to tell.  Only kid; single
alcoholic mother.  The only way to escape was to excel in everything.  I
challenged the SATs and graduated early with acceptance to both Annapolis and
West Point due to my grades and martial art competitions.  I choose Annapolis
because I liked their engineering program better, plus they had a better recon
program.  I transferred to the Corps after completing Seal training.”

“What happened to your father?” Sam asked.

Her father kicked her under the table.  “Don’t be
rude, young lady.  You know better than that.”

“I’m sorry.  I just can’t imagine life without my
daddy,” she answered sweetly.

“That’s okay, Joe.  I don’t want you guys to think I
have any secrets.  I’ve never had a father or any other male influence.  The
bum left her when she got pregnant.  I never knew him, nor did I want to.  I
grew up very quickly and basically raised myself.  That’s about it.”

“Well, young man, if my opinion counts for anything, I
think you are remarkable.  I’m glad you are here and I don’t think I need to
tell you, but you have a new family,” Dr. Quimby smiled gently.

“Yeah, with two overbearing fathers,” Sam whispered to
her brother. 

Scott raised his eyebrow.  “We just struck three, Little
Miss.  Upstairs, now.”

“No, please Uncle Scott…”  Sam whitened, grabbing
Michael’s wrist under the table.

He patted her hand, intervening.  “She was just saying
that he inherited two dads in the process, Scott.” 

Scott grunted.  “Sure she did.  Rich, watch out for
the little one.  Whether she becomes your girlfriend or like a sister, she’s
going to keep you on the ball.  Be prepared.”

“Uncle Scott, you really need to stop trying to
frighten people when they meet me.  I’m not all that bad.”

“Says who?”

“Dessert, anyone?” Dr. Quimby interrupted, seeing the
fire starting to build between them.  “Tiramisu.”

* * * * *

After Rich left, Scott beckoned his niece to stand in
front of him.  “Okay, little girl, let’s get one thing clear.  Just because
Rich is here doesn’t mean you won’t be spared facing the consequences of your
behavior.  I’m not happy with you mouthing off at Dad, nor am I going to ignore
the swearing.  This is your last warning, young lady.  If you act up in front
of him, then one of us will take you upstairs and give you something to think
about.  Got it?”

“It’s not fair,” she mumbled, looking down.

Scott leaned forward.  “Excuse me?  What did you say? 
I couldn’t hear you.”

“Yes sir, Uncle Scott.  I’m sorry.”

“Okay.  Go help your brother in the kitchen.  And no
messing around this time.”

Sam bit back tears as she retreated towards the
kitchen.  “Michael, can we take a walk when we’re done?  I need to talk to
you,” she asked quietly, putting dishes into the dishwasher.

“Sure.  Are you okay?  I know Scott pressed some
buttons.”

“Yeah, I just need my best friend to talk to for a
bit.”

“I’m always here for you, baby.  Let’s finish up with
the kitchen and then blow this popsicle stand.  Do you want to drive anywhere?”

“No, a walk is fine.  Thanks.”

They strolled outside to the manicured lawn, and both
took in a breath of the gentle sea breeze as it warmed the air around them. 
Michael took her hand and waited patiently for her to start.

“I’m so confused.  I really like him, but the family
is looking at him like he’s going to be more of a brother to me.  What should I
do?”

“I think you need to remember how Dad and Scott are. 
They were best friends, grew up together and Dad even babysat Mom at times.  It
was hard for Scott to see them date at first, but he got used to it.  Now look
what happened.”

“Is this hard for you?  Sharing my attention with
another guy?  I don’t want you to ever think you will be replaced as my best
friend.”

“I have no doubt I am stuck with you forever, brat.  I
also know that if I ever meet a girl I like, she has to be your friend before I
would allow myself to get heavily involved.  But I’m getting the feeling that
there is something else bothering you.  Talk to me.”

“You always know.  What if Rich and I do get serious? 
What if, well, what if he wants kids?  Should I wait to say anything or just
get it into the open?”

“Hmmm.  If it were me, I’d want to know.  I want kids,
and it’s a deal breaker for me.  I think he deserves to know before either of
you allow yourselves to start having feelings for each other.”

“You’re right.  Then again, you usually are.  Just
like Daddy.”  She hugged him tightly.

“Yeah, I know.  Did that clear up some things for
you?” Michael asked, knuckling her on the head.

She smacked his hand.  “Yes, thanks.  I have one more
thing I need to tell you.  It’s just between us.”

“Go on.”

“Don’t get mad, but Rich informed me that he believes
in spanking and will do so with the folks’ permission if I act up.  What should
I do?”

“Why would I get angry?  Just don’t act up.”

“That isn’t supposed to be your answer.  Why are you
laughing?  This is humiliating.”

“Just your luck, isn’t it?  I wish I could feel sorry
for you, but I don’t.  You need a man like that and you know it.  We talked
about this.  It’s something we are both wired for.”