Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) (17 page)

Onlookers took picture after picture of the two with the young seals and their cows. Sam sought permission from the bull to bring one of the babies to the crowd to teach. Surprisingly, it was granted.

“Rich, this little guy wants to show off. Could you lift him and follow me to the platform?”

“What are you doing?” Rich asked, gently scooping the fat seal into his arms. The baby laid its head onto his shoulder happily. More ooohs and ahhhs came from the crowd.

Sam climbed onto the platform, introduced herself and Rich, and started sharing about the seal population and their family dynamics. She invited people to come over and touch the baby one by one. It snuggled in Rich’s strong arms, enjoying the gentle petting.

Barking from the bull told her time was up. She excused herself and went with Rich to return the baby to his mother, where he immediately started to nurse. She had the bull come close to the platform and gently pried his mouth open to show the crowd his large, vicious looking teeth. It made quite the impression as she warned them to never approach the herd, no matter how cute they looked. The bull rolled on his side and clapped his front flippers, sending the crowd into applause.

“Show off,” Sam whispered, petting him before he returned to his group. After about hour of answering questions, Rich and Sam finally departed.

“That was fun,” Rich commented, washing his hands. “But they stink to high heaven.”

“They aren’t that bad. Did you really enjoy it?”

“I did. That pup was a sweetheart; he kept snuggling into my shoulder.”

“I saw. Rich? Are you sure you don’t want kids? You’re good with babies.”

“I am quite positive, honey. I’d be too overprotective and so controlling that I would make your father look negligent. No way. You?”

“I would be happy with the nieces and nephews that I can return to their parents. Thanks for playing along with me. If I see an opportunity to educate the public, I try to grab it. It’s good PR.”

“You handled yourself well. But you still stink like seal. Do we have to take my jeep?”

“I’m not walking home, buddy. Get in and leave the window down. This isn't much more potent than man-stench, so stop whining,” Sam scolded, climbing into his vehicle.

After showering and dressing for bed, the two watched TV on the couch in the living room. They were asleep when Dr. Quimby and Scott arrived home at 1:30 that morning.

“Rich? Shhh, it’s me. I’ll put her to bed,” Dr. Quimby said, gently picking up Sam and carrying her upstairs. He tucked her into bed with a kiss on the forehead, then went into Rich’s room. “Do you have a minute?” he asked.

“Of course. Come on in. Did you guys have a good night?” Rich asked, sitting up in bed.

Dr. Quimby sat heavily on the edge. “Scott did. I was miserable. Rich, what am I doing wrong with her?”

“Nothing I can see. I think she’s wonderful, despite her little quirks. Joe, listen, she’s got a little defiant streak in her. That’s part of her personality. She’s also a lot like you; she needs to know her own limitations and boundaries. This is how you guys raised her. You did well; you just weren’t expecting it to backfire on you.”

“True. If she were your daughter, how would you handle this?”

“You’re asking the wrong man. I’ve never been a dad, so I can’t honestly tell you. I’d be tempted to lock her away in a bubble for life. What did Scott say?”

“That she was wrong to disobey me, but right in doing so. Didn’t help much.”

“It’s sort of how I think too. But again, I have no kids, so I can’t put myself in your shoes. If it makes you feel any better, she’s miserable for making you miserable. You walk on water in her eyes.”

“Would you mind terribly if I kidnap her tomorrow? I think she and I need some alone time.”

“Do what you need to. Where are you going?” Rich smiled.

“Where no Jenkins would ever go; and where no Quimby has gone before.”

“Where would that be?”

“An art museum. I’ll take her to the Getty. We’ve never been.”

“Well, add Lewis to your list. I hate art museums.”

“So do Mike and Scott. Thanks, son.”

“For what?”

“For making me believe we did right by her. There is no way she would have landed a man like you if she was a total disaster.”

“Probably not.” Rich chuckled.

Dr. Quimby said his good nights and went to pack some things from Sam’s room as she slept soundly.

Sam woke with a hand over her mouth at 5:30 the next morning and a blindfold being placed over her eyes. She could tell by the familiar scent that it was her father doing the kidnapping and grinned. He hadn’t played that game with her since she was ten! She was dragged out of the house and belted in the car. She waited until they were well under way before speaking up.

“Where are you taking me, stranger?”

“Ahhh, the beauty awakes. Although, with that mop of hair, I use the term lightly.”

“I hope you brought a brush then. Can I take this thing off?”

“Nope, not yet. I don’t want you to guess where we are going.”

“Does this mean you aren’t mad at me anymore?”

“I was never angry with you. More frightened. You keep insisting on terrifying me. I need you to stop hiding the truth from me, though. It makes me mistrust you.”

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I really am. I lied to you, too. I’ve touched bottom.”

He inhaled deeply. “I’d guessed that you probably did. How did it feel?”

“Nothing much different. The water tastes different, the sounds are weird, but the pressure was absent for me. Rich pointed out something last night. Remember when you wouldn’t let Michael spar with me for real because you didn’t want me getting hurt?”

“Yes, and you two did it anyways.”

“Did I learn how to fight?”

“You’re one of the best I know.”

“Because I learned how to take a real hit. I know what a bullet feels like. I know what having my guts crushed feels like. I don’t experience these things because I have nothing better to do. It’s part of the risk I take being who I am. I don’t like to disobey you, usually, but there are times I feel I have to.”

“Nice disclaimer. Usually?”

“There are times I do like to disobey you, when I do things for my own enjoyment. This instance is not one of them. I’m sorry, Daddy.”

“Me, too. What should we do about this, then?”

“I don’t know. Whatever you decide, I promise I won’t argue. I don’t like us being apart like this. It hurts too much.”

“I feel the same. Let’s just spend the day together and then we’ll talk later. Go ahead and take off your blindfold. We’re on Interstate 5.”

They talked for the three hour trip north, stopping only for Sam to change and to grab some coffee. Dr. Quimby pulled into the parking lot at the bottom of the museum.

“Where are we?” Sam asked. Her father offered his hand to help her onto the shuttle.

“A place I’ve always wanted to visit but had no cooperation from your brother or uncle. The Getty Center.”

“Cool! Did you bring cameras?”

“I certainly did. At least I have one member of this family who likes culture,” he chuckled, arm around her as they rode up to the museum. Several people stared at them.

“Why do people keep looking at us like that? Do they think I’m your girlfriend? Oh, my god, what the hell is wrong with people nowadays?”

“People are stupid, honey. We’re in LA; Lord knows where their minds are taking them. Just ignore them. Their choice to be rude does not give you the right to be that way in return. I raised you to be better than that.”

“I don’t like it,” she hissed, glaring back at one old lady. The woman finally broke her stare, whispering something to the man next to her and pointing at them. Sam fumed and spouted, “You can stop speculating. He is my father and we are spending a normal, healthy day together.”

“Samantha!”

“Coming, Daddy. You are pathetic,” Sam said to the woman as she walked away, accepting her father’s outstretched hand.

“Didn’t I tell you to ignore them?” he asked her sternly.

“It was one of those times I liked disobeying you. Sorry.” She smiled sheepishly.

Dr. Quimby frowned, lifting her chin firmly. “No more of that, please. You are a lady of substance and class. Do not allow idiots to take that from you. Now, where would you want to start?”

After exploring the inside museum, the two went outside to look at the grounds and the exotic plants. Sam snickered and she began to mimic the poses of several statues in the garden, posing for her father to photograph. Teasingly, she eyed a naked piece and received a warning shake of a finger from her father.

“Don’t even think of it, child. Go over to those roses.”

As Sam struck natural poses with the flowers, rocks and stream beds, Dr. Quimby had to stop himself several times to remind himself that this stunning creature belonged to him and wasn’t some mythical being from a fairy tale. Through the lens of his camera, he studied her and choked back a tear. She had become even more beautiful than her mother had been.

Sam took a final pose, hanging upside down from a large tree limb with her long, thick auburn hair fanning out to the fern covered ground, and her eyes peeking out from dense vines.

“Samantha, you are such a little show off. Okay, hold still, let me get one like this. We need to go, baby. It’s getting late.”

“Do we have to? I’m having fun. Look, these guys gave me their cards for modeling. They said I could book a lot of shoots with my coloring and appearance.” Sam grinned, flipping out of the tree and handing her father several business cards.

He tucked them in his pocket. “You always have fun when you’re the center of attention. Besides, you already have a job and an overblown ego. You don’t need to model for anyone other than me. Come now, I have reservations for us for dinner.”

“Did you have a good day?” Dr. Quimby asked on the way home.

Sam nodded, yawning. “Very much. Thank you. Did you?”

“I did. I’m still bothered though. I was hoping today would put it at rest, but it didn’t. In fact, watching you made me even more anxious and wanting to protect you.”

“What would make you feel better, Daddy? I don’t want you bothered by me.”

“I don’t know, sweets. I know you won’t promise not to disobey me. You need to know what it feels like to have a child who is smart, beautiful and too outspoken for her own good to really understand the dilemma I’m in.”

“I got a little taste of that when we watched all those calves, Daddy. It was hard work.”

“Raising a child is more work than you know. It’s equally rewarding as it is painful. This is why I’m making this decision,” he said, pulling into the driveway of a strange house. She wrinkled her eyebrows. He wasn’t going to spank her, was he?

“Get out, please,” he said firmly. Trembling and confused, she obeyed, following him to the door. He rang the bell, looking down at her with a frown. A woman answered, greeting him and inviting them in. She opened a door and, with a yelp, Sam fell to the floor, covered by nine puppies.

“I guess she was a bit surprised,” the woman said with a smile. Dr. Quimby nodded, watching his daughter gather a bunch of the furry little things in her arms. She looked at her father, tears in her eyes. She had always wanted a dog, but their frequent moving had prevented it.

“Are you serious, Daddy?”

“Yes, my love. Go ahead and take your pick.”

“What breed are they?” she asked as the tiny pups chewed on her fingers.

“Gray wolf hybrids. I will show you the parents. They are a bit skittish, but won’t hurt you.”

The two large animals entered the room, both with piercing yellow eyes, grey and white coats and wide shoulders. They immediately sniffed her and sat at her feet quietly.

“That’s odd. They never approach strangers.”

“She has an affinity for animals. Sam, you have a puppy hanging from your ponytail.”

“I know, she won’t let go. Ow. Come here, you little mutt. Oh, she’s sucking on my finger… Daddy!”