Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) (21 page)

Slowly, the child obeyed, then looked up at the boat with a smile. “Look!” Her excitement was contagious.

Two hours passed and Scott yawned, relaxed by the warm sun and fresh air. “Kids, it’s getting late. I’m hungry, tired and old. Do you want to swim or ride to shore?” Scott asked. The boys opted to ride, Sam, of course, to swim.

“May I take Monique with me? We’ll beach on the bank where it’s easier for her,” she asked.

“Certainly, if she wants to,” Dr. Quimby said, seeing the child nod with excitement. “We’ll meet you down there, okay?”

“Okay. Bye!” Sam said, pulling the little girl in front of her and holding her with one arm as she waved. Monique couldn’t keep her hands off the smooth rubbery skin. Ton was swirling happily. “He really likes that. No, no, don’t kick him. He’s not a horse. Pat him gently and ask him to take you home.”

Monique obeyed and was thrilled when Ton started to swim quickly to the shoreline, guided by Sam. She held Monique tightly as he launched himself onto the beach, sending several beach walkers screaming. Sam helped Monique off and knelt in front of Ton’s mouth, ignoring her advancing family.

“He wants to taste you. That’s how he gets to know who you are. See? He won’t hurt you.” Sam rubbed the tip of the whale’s tongue. Monique cautiously laid her hand next the Sam’s and started to rub. Ton spouted happily. “Cool, huh? Help me push him back into the water.”

While Scott reprimanded the onlookers about disregarding the no trespassing notices, the rest of the family assisted Sam in pushing Ton back into the water.

Brushing off his hands, Dr. Quimby smiled at Monique. “Well? What do you think of your cousins now?”

“They are the greatest! Uncle Rich? It’s your turn to carry me,” the little girl announced. They all started laughing as he picked her up.

“Do all little redheads think they have their own pack mules?” he asked.

Sam ran, jumping into her brother’s arms. “Yep. Carry me too.”

After getting cleaned up and dressed, Scott announced he was calling for pizza. He went upstairs to tap on Cecily’s door. “Would you care to come down and join us for dinner?”

“Don’t I have to apologize?”

“It would make things easier for you. But no, we always have dinner as a family.”

“Always? That’s so lame.”

“Maybe, but we enjoy it. Pizza is coming,” he said, walking out. Cecily grunted, looking back outside. She had witnessed the killer whale on the beach! How could they just act like that’s normal? These people were weird. But, she had to admit, their lives were a lot more fun than hers. Her stomach growled. Reluctantly, she left the room.

“Cissy! Guess what I did today!” Monique squealed, bombarding her oldest sister with her adventure. Cecily frowned, noticing that no one was stopping her from telling the story. It couldn’t possibly be true. Could it?

“I wish you were there. It would have made you smile,” the little girl said sweetly.

Cecily bit her lip. Monique really was a good kid. “I’m sure it would have. I’m sorry I didn’t get to go. And I’m sorry I was so mean to you.”

“That’s okay.” The little girl hugged her neck and then proceeded to share more details. Cecily listened attentively, not seeing the smiles on Scott and Dr. Quimby’s faces.

They all turned to the sound of the front door opening and Jen yelling for the pack mules. Obediently, the boys went to help her.

Cherell walked in, completely transformed.

“Oh my god, you’re gorgeous!” Sam said.

“What did you do?” Cecily asked, staring.

Cherell blushed. “Jen took me to this salon. They trimmed and highlighted my hair, we got contact lenses, did my nails and stuff. Then she took me shopping. I hate shopping.”

Jen mouthed “me too” as she plopped in a chair, holding Michael’s hand.

“Let us see you. Ravishing,” Scott announced, twirling her in front of him. She was in a sage sundress with a low belt, slender heels and some sparse jewelry.

“I feel like a different person. Thank you so much.”

“We’re happy to do it. I hope you got some more things and that this isn’t all Jen’s?” Dr. Quimby teased.

Jen huffed. “You guys treated me to a mani-pedi and a new pair of sandals.”

“Oooh, lemme see,” Sam said, ignoring the eye rolling of her family. The other girls laughed. Sam tried on Jen’s shoes, holding her leg up for all to see. “How cute! You’ll let me borrow them?”

“My closet is your closet, little sister,” Jen said, hugging her friend, “Except, they also bought you these.”

Sam squealed, accepting a pair of low-heeled sandals in bronze and turquoise. She put them on, kicking her feet. “Thank you! Oooh, you went to the GOOD shoe store. These are Italian.”

“Scott and Joe said no limit.” Jen giggled, seeing the two men grimace.

“How many shoes can one woman wear? Oh good, pizza’s here,” Rich said, going to the door.

“Ladies, let’s eat first then you can explore Cherell’s packages. Ladies?” Dr. Quimby called over their giggling.

“Great, a house full of cackling hens. That’s all I need,” Scott grumbled, sitting in his recliner with his pizza and the remote.

“Eat at the table like a human being,” Dr. Quimby ordered, hands on his hips.

Scott turned to look at him. “I don’t wanna.”

Michael and Rich glanced at each other, seeing the signs. “Girls, clear out!” they hollered, moving the furniture as Scott put his pizza down and started to take off his shirt. The three Riley girls looked confused as they were hustled out to the edges of the living room.

“And there they go.” Sam sighed, shaking her head.

Monique looked scared. “Why are they fighting?”

“They aren’t fighting. They are playing at being wrestlers. This happens when the house is dominated by men. And I use the term ‘men’ loosely. They are overgrown little boys,” Jen added.

“There go the other two. Testosterone,” Sam groaned as the boys joined in.

“Good thing your living room is so huge,” Cecily commented, watching in awe as the four wrestled and brought each other down.

“Sammi, you need to break this up.” Jen grinned.

Sam cracked her knuckles. “Hmm, whom should I start with?”

“Get Mike. He didn’t kiss me today.”

“How are you—” Cherell started to ask, watching as her tiny cousin dove into the tangle of arms, legs and large male torsos.

“Hey! Who’s biting?” Michael yelled, letting go of his father to grab his leg.

“Sam!” the other three yelled, unable to grab her as she ducked from one to the other.

“Got her!” Rich announced, scooping the girl into his arms.

“Oh no, you don’t,” she retorted, twisting away.

“The brat has body oil on!” Rich growled. “It’s like grabbing a greased pig.”

“Hey! Who are you calling a pig?” Sam snarled, sinking her teeth into his side and slipping away before he could get her.

“I’ll get her,” Dr. Quimby said, throwing himself over her back as she dove between Scott’s legs.

“OW! No pinching!” Scott yelled, grabbing his calf. By now, the other four girls were laughing hysterically. Dr. Quimby wrapped his arms around the girl, holding her close to his body. Michael elbowed Rich, pointing to his sister’s right foot. It was her new move. She shoved her heel between her father’s legs and twisted to go underneath him as he fell forward. She pounced on his back, holding him tightly in a leg lock.

“OW!” she yelled as he bit her thigh. Growling, she crouched to jump him again, but was grabbed by the shorts by her uncle.

“Time out, you little cheater. Look what you did to me.” He pointed to the bite marks.

She gave him a cheesy smile. “Didn’t you tell me I needed to learn to fight like a girl?” she asked. “I’m hungry, can we please eat now?”

“You’ll pay for my bite, my little love,” Rich said, his eyes twinkling as he snatched her from her uncle and hugged her.

***

Jen came home early from class that next Tuesday to find Cecily on the deck with a glass of wine in her hand. Frowning, she approached the girl. “Cecily? What are you doing?”

“Relaxing. Want some?”

“No, thank you. I’m not supposed to be drinking. Did Joe say it was okay?”

“I don’t answer to him,” the girl snubbed.

Jen bit her lip. “Where’re Cherell and Monique?”

“On the beach picking up shells. Why are you so uptight?”

“This family is a lot different than yours. They’re serious about rules and respect. This,” she pointed to the wine, “breaks both. Please put it away before you get in trouble.”

“Yeah, like what? I’m an adult and the worse they can do is make me stay in that wonderful smelling room,” Cecily cackled. That was when Jen noticed the girl was wearing one of Rich’s tee shirts.

“Did Rich say you could borrow that?”

“You are such a busybody. Go do your homework or something.”

Jen silently removed herself and picked up her cell phone. She texted Sam.

Prob here. Cc drnkn

Wth?

Wine. Wearing R shirt 2

WTF!!!

Help?

Tell Daddy

No way!

Shit. Gotta go ttyl

Sam made a face, re-reading the texts. Her father would be furious if he found out. And wearing Rich’s clothes? “MIKE!”

“What’s wrong, little sister?” He appeared in her doorway instantly.

She handed him her phone. “Read.” She watched his jaw twitch with a frown.

“Damn. We can’t snitch, kiddo. You know the rules. She’s really not in danger either.”

“I know, but it’s putting Jen into a bad position. I have an idea, though. Is Splasher around?”

“He was in the tank a while ago. Oh, I get it; he might be able to send something to Dad. Good idea.” Michael grinned, going with his sister into the tank room.

They spoke aloud of the problem in front of the little dolphin, the neuroband Michael wore increased the measure of concern. Ton swam in, picking up their concern. He imaged a penguin in a net needing the dragon bull. Sam confirmed, but shared that she had boundaries she couldn’t cross because she was a calf. Ton snorted and took off, followed by Splasher.

“Well, that’s done. A little deceptive, but it should work.” Michael smiled, helping the girl to her feet. He hugged her. “I’m so happy you’ve been good lately.”

“It’s killing me. I did get it the other day when I pushed Cecily down, though,” she admitted.

Michael patted her shoulder. “I’m sure it was worth it,” he commented, seeing her nod with a smile.

Dr. Quimby rubbed his temple, unable to shake the image of his home and a net. He finally picked up the phone. “Sammi? Question. I keep getting pictures thrown into my head. Is that normal?”

“If the pod is trying to communicate with you, yes. What are they showing you?”

“Our house and it’s covered by a net. There are, and don’t laugh, freakin’ penguins on the deck!”

“You need to get home, Daddy. Check on the girls and make sure they’re okay,” Sam said seriously. “A net means there is trouble. Penguins are symbols of stupidity or foolishness.”

“Damn it. I’m on my way.” He ended the call and then called to his assistant. “Greg? I need to run home. Reschedule any visits for me, okay?”

“You’re clear this afternoon, sir. Let me know if you need anything, please.”

“Shall do. See you tomorrow. You can close up early if you like.”

Greg smiled gratefully, still standing. He knew that look on his commander’s face; someone was in trouble. Again. But whom? Sam was at work, so it wasn’t her.

Dr. Quimby briefly let Scott know his whereabouts as he drove up the I-5 to La Jolla. Walking into the house, he immediately saw Cecily on the deck, sipping her wine and smoking a cigarette. Jen met him at the door, noticing his neck vein pulsing.