Free Healing (General's Daughter Book 5) by Breanna Hayse Page A

dinner. Scott’s in there too.”
    “Helping? Wow. How did you manage that?” Michael asked, standing to stretch his back.
    “He and Rich are having testosterone matches. Rich bet him that if he could outstare Scott, then Scott would have to help make dinner. Rich won.”
    “Of course he did. That’s part of his sensory training. No arguing from Scott, either. Interesting.”
    “Scott’s pouting. I think, though, he’s really enjoying himself. I don’t usually let him help in there because he’s a pain in the ass. Hello, baby girl. Are you waking up?” her father asked, feeling her stirring in his arms.
    “Mmm, good nap. I love rainy days. Something smells good.”
    “Rich is cooking.”
    “He likes to. When we get married, I won’t have to cook or clean.” She giggled.
    “Marriage is a long way off, and you shouldn’t depend on your partner doing all the work. Even if he does it better. I learned how to cook because Scott would only make BBQ and we needed something more. Mom was too little to help much at the time.” He kissed Sam’s forehead. “So tell me about your mission.”
    “Should we wait to tell everyone? I hate repeating myself,” Michael asked.
    “It depends. What did you do that was majorly stupid and how will the others take it?”
    Michael slowly explained the situation with his mask and the turbulence and how his sister got in his face to get him to stop being an idiot.
    Dr. Quimby nodded. “They don’t need to know that; it will frighten Jen and really piss off Scott. He’s in a bad mood today and it won’t take much to set him off. Please don’t say anything to them about the bomb, either. Write it up and leave it as routine.”
    “They’ve awakened! Our heroes!” Scott exclaimed, pushing Rich and Jen out of the way to embrace his niece and nephew.
    Jen, hands on her hips, waited impatiently as Scott pulled the two together in his arms. “When you’re done, I would like to say my hellos, too,” she announced, pushing between him and Michael.
    Scott growled, his niece held captive under his arm. “She’s becoming quite pushy, Mike. Do something about her. I suppose you want this?” the uncle asked Rich, rolling his eyes as Sam slung her arms around Rich’s neck, locking him in a very close, long and intimate kiss.
    Her father had to clear his throat. “Um, I understand wanting to greet each other, but you might want to take this upstairs. On second thought, no. Is dinner ready?”
    “Yes, sir. We made a roast with all the fixin’s, plus a cheesecake.” Rich grinned
    “We had stuff for that?” Dr. Quimby looked surprised.
    “Jen made it from scratch. She’s quite the little baker.”
    “Her mother’s pies are the best I’ve ever had. I guess if she can bake like that, you can keep her,” Scott grumbled, smacking the girl sharply on the rump as she moved in front of him.
    “OW! What was that for?”
    “I don’t need a reason. But, it was for being so pushy.”
    “Butthead,” Jen muttered, earning two more swats. She tried to hide behind Michael as they entered the dining room.
    Scott wagged his finger. “I owe you five more for that. Beware, you will receive them.”
    “Just five? I’d go ten for safekeeping,” Rich teased, holding the chair out for Sam.
    “Ten? If it were me calling Uncle Scott names, it would be twenty. And I wouldn’t be laughing,” Sam added cheerfully.
    Jen looked at Michael who held her chair out as well. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
    “I’m not the one audacious enough to call Scott a butthead. Name calling is a hairbrush offense in this family,” he teased her.
    Jen’s jaw dropped. She looked helplessly at Dr. Quimby. “Joe?”
    “Don’t look at me. I have nothing to do with this.”
    Sam started to giggle, enjoying the fact that, for once she wasn’t the one being picked on.
    “You all are just yanking my chain, aren’t you?”
    “Not at all. After dinner, you will be getting thirty swats for calling