Prints Charming

by Rebeca Seitz

  “Perfect. I’ll be right back.” He turned and jogged toward his apartment—which was less than twenty yards from hers, so his new rule didn’t make sense anyway. He wondered if she would be there when he got back and hoped she was a woman of her word.

  Three encounters with her didn’t give him enough to know. “As if there is a type for her,” he mumbled as he dashed into his apartment and lifted Major Carter off the arm of one of the chairs.

  Making his way back, he was heartened to see Jane sitting in the very spot she had been occupying before he came outside. She was holding Wilson in her lap—the parts of him that could fit in her lap—and talking to the dog about cats. He laughed when he got close enough to hear her.

  “—and they keep the mice away, and they’re sometimes great for cuddling, and—”

  “Here we are.” Jake knelt down about four feet away from Jane and Wilson, keeping a tight grip on Major Carter as the fur on her back began to rise. He noticed Wilson become very intent as he looked at his nemesis.

  “Major Carter, may I introduce you to Wilson.” He prayed Carter wouldn’t slip loose and scratch a new eyeball for the dog.

  “Wilson Wellington, may I introduce you to Major Carter,” Jane rejoined with a laugh.

  “Wellington?” Jake asked with a grin.

  “He’s a proper British mutt, so he needed a proper British name,” she said with mock indignation and then relaxed. “Really, I just needed more than one name to yell out the back door when he was in trouble.” He joined her in laughter, and the animals lowered their backs a bit.

  “They seem to be declaring a truce.”

  “Maybe. Come a little closer and let’s see what happens.”

  He tried to ignore the thrill her words brought and reminded himself she was talking about the animals. He moved within arm’s reach of her and leaned forward to scratch Wilson’s ears.

  “There ya go, buddy. See, we cat lovers aren’t all bad.”

  Wilson turned his head in Jake’s hand and stretched his neck out.

  “He likes you.” She reached out to pet the fluffy white cat in Jake’s lap and was rewarded with a soft purr.

  “Looks like the feeling’s mutual.” Jake envied the cat and felt stupid for doing so. “So, tell me what you have against sci-fi shows.” He leaned back and crossed his legs at the ankles, petting Major Carter’s fur to keep her still.

  “Where should I start? The horrible acting, the unbelievable story lines, the ridiculous costumes and makeup, the fanatic viewers . . .” Jane ticked off each detail on her slender fingers.

  “Hey, I’m a fanatic viewer.”

  “Precisely. You seem like a perfectly normal human being, but I’ll bet you know every detail about some alien world and race, right?”

  Jake ignored her adorable expression and thought about the extent of his knowledge of the Stargate, how it worked, and what worlds it had opened up to Major Carter, Colonel O’Neill, Daniel Jackson, T’ealq, and the crew. She had him there.

  “All right, I’ll give you that. But I’m sure it’s no more than you know about your hobbies. What are your hobbies anyway?”

  “Reading, scrapbooking, networking women, and getting through life.”

  “What do you read?”

  “Romance, mystery, suspense. Anything fiction.”

  “I’m a fiction lover myself. Ever read Dune ?”

  “Just a few chapters over my ex’s shoulder at the beach one summer.”

  “Ouch.” He winced. “I’m two for two now.”

  “No, it’s okay. No sense in trying to tiptoe around it.” She looked out across the field, and he watched the war of emotion play out across her strong face.

  “So . . . was ‘it’ recent, or in the past?” Jake knew he shouldn’t pry, but he needed to understand her past if he was going to be a part of her present. Wait . . . when had he decided to be a part of her present? When she knocked the breath out of your chest with her car door, he thought. Now, quit being an idiot and get to know her.

  Jane looked at him for a moment, as though considering the fact that they were strangers and he didn’t really have any right to know the details. But then she shrugged. “I’m not sure how long it had been going on, but I found out a year ago. The day before I moved in here, actually. He found someone else. An e-mistress. He forgot to log off one night, and I couldn’t sleep, so I went in the study to work on a proposal. His—um—partner was still online and thought I was him. Instant messages started popping up.” Her voice was flippant, but the pain in her eyes revealed her inner thoughts.

  “That must have been a shock.” Now that she was talking, he wanted to do anything he could to keep the flow of information coming.

  “At first I thought it was a mistake. I kept thinking some site was spamming me with IMs or something. I just clicked out of them as they popped up. But then she used my name, and I knew something was up.”

  He hated her ex. “Did you tell her you weren’t him?”

  “No, I carried on with her for a while just to make sure I wasn’t jumping to conclusions.”

  “Nice of you.”

  She shrugged. “Not really. I think it was more disbelief than anything. Anyway, that’s how I learned he was planning to leave me for her.” She shook her head and stopped. Without thinking, he scooted around to her side and put his hand over hers in the grass, knowing it was stupid and dangerous, but desperate to offer some comfort.

  “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me.”

  She turned to face him, and the hurt in her eyes nearly took his breath.

  “I just felt so stupid. They had been carrying on for months, and I never even suspected. My husband was about to leave me for a woman I didn’t even know existed.” She sniffed. “Most days, I’m over it. Some days it hits me again.” She scooted a bit to make more room for Wilson.

  “I turned off the computer, went to the bedroom, and tried to go back to sleep. I thought it must all be a terrible nightmare and I would wake up and laugh at how ridiculous the whole idea was. But he woke up before me the next morning and went to IM with her.” She grimaced. “He knew I knew before I even got out of bed. He was so mad. He woke me up screaming at me that I had invaded his private life, and I had no right to do such a thing, and how could he trust me if I was going to go online masquerading as him.”

  Jake fought to keep the thousand horrible names he conjured up for her ex from escaping his lips.

  “He told me he was leaving me for her and that he was glad I had found out.” Jane looked out across the water and sighed. “I packed up that day and left. I just couldn’t stick around to see him abandon everything, me.” She hung her head for a moment, then patted Wilson’s neck. “Wow, I didn’t mean to dump all that on you. I just don’t talk about it that often.”

  “Hey, don’t you dare apologize. I’ve got two ears, no waiting, anytime you need ’em.” She looked up at him and studied his face. He met her eyes and gave her a look he hoped was full of assurance and empathy. “And just for the record, I think your ex is the complete idiot.”

  Jane laughed a sad little laugh.

  “Well, idiot is the tamest word I could use. I have a thousand others in my brain, but they’re not fit for public consumption.”

  “Thank you.” She touched his hand. He looked down at their hands and dragged his gaze up to hers.

  “Like I said, anytime.” They shared a moment of silence. “So, what kind of dog is Wilson anyway?”

  She chuckled. “He’s mostly basset hound, but he’s got some corgi in him, too. At least, that’s what they told me when I adopted him.”

  Jake leaned back and studied Wilson. “I can see that. His ears aren’t as long as a regular basset. Is he really smart?”

  “Oh, yeah. We’re on our fourth crate, because he keeps figuring out how to work the latches.”

  “That’s the corgi in him.” Her eyebrows rose and he explained. “My parents had Welsh corgis for a while. Very smart dogs.”

/>   She patted his hand and put hers back in her lap, taking a deep breath. “So now that I’ve spilled my guts, care to share your life story?”

  “If you make it through Stargate, I’ll spill.” Jake waggled his eyebrows in challenge.

  She tilted her head and considered the offer. “All right, that’s fair.” She got up and once again dusted off her jeans, then wound the red leash around her wrist. “I should really go inside now. I’ve got a ton of stuff left to do today, and sitting out here talking wasn’t on the list.”

  “No problem. I’ll see you on Friday.” Jake got up too, putting a sleeping Carter in the crook of his arm. He watched her start to walk away and called out, “Hey, Jane?”

  She stopped and turned. “Yes?”

  “Thanks for telling me.”

  She looked at him for a long moment. “You’re welcome.”

  Her voice was so quiet he wondered if he had misheard her.

  And then she turned and walked away.

  chapter 11

  Mari slowly pulled into her organized garage and turned off the minivan, a silly grin splitting her face. The past three years had been full of raising Emmy. Finding time for other relationships was just too time-consuming most days. Laughing and talking about life with her Sisters, Ink group, though, had reminded her she was a woman—not just a mom and wife.

  She gathered up her things and headed toward the kitchen, planning the evening’s dinner in her mind. Maybe John wouldn’t mind grilling since it was such a nice day outside. If he would grill some chicken and fresh vegetables, she would have some free time to play with her sweet Emmy.

  “John?” she called out as she came through the door. “I’m home!” Little Emmy came streaking into the kitchen and nearly knocked her over with the force of her hug.

  “Mommy! You’re back!” She began tugging Mari toward the living room. “Daddy and I painted a picture for Andrea. Wanna see? We used lots of red and pink since she’s a girl, and I drawed our house so she could find it.”

  “You drew our house?” Mari corrected gently, setting her things down on the table and allowing Emmy to pull her through the house.

  “Yep. Come see, come see.”

  Mari came into the living room and took in her husband’s tired but pleased expression. He was in old blue jeans and a faded T-shirt, drawing in his journal. It wasn’t fair that men could look so good in clothes that should have been put in a yard sale years ago.

  “Hi, honey. Did you have fun scrapping?” He set the journal aside and came to give her a hug.

  “I had a blast. We’re all meeting again on Saturday, okay?”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  “Mommy, look.” Emmy held up a white piece of cardboard full of red and pink paint, glitter, and buttons. “It’s for Andrea.” Pride made her face shine.

  Mari smiled. “Oh, hija, it’s just beautiful. Andrea’s going to love it.” She knelt down next to Emmy and took the picture from her, noting that Emmy had drawn a family of four rather than three. She looked up at John with tears in her eyes. “Did Daddy help you with this?”

  “Yeah, a little. But I did the glitter all by myself. See? I put it on my window so Andrea can find our room.”

  “Well, that’s the most perfect part of all.” Mari stretched back up. “Let’s go put this in an envelope and put it in Andrea’s Box, okay?”

  Emmy nodded and took the painting back from Mari, then skipped her way out of the room.

  “Eso fue una idea increíble.” Mari turned to John for a hug.

  “It really wasn’t my idea. We were watching cartoons, and one came on about sisters. She asked me if that’s what Andrea was going to be for her, and I explained it as best I could. Then she decided she wanted to make Andrea something. I just sort of tagged along. It was all her adventure.”

  “I’m glad you were here for it, then. I was beginning to get a little worried that she might be too possessive and selfish right now.”

  “Nah.” He squeezed around her waist and touched his forehead to hers. “I think she’s getting to the other side of that phase. By the time we bring Andrea home, she’ll be ready for a sister, I think.”

  Mari leaned into his embrace, grateful for him and Emmy, but longing for Andrea. The weeks of more paperwork and government bureaucracy stretched before her, and she wondered if, at the end of it, they would truly be handed their new little girl. And, if they did or didn’t, would John continue treating her as if she were a fragile piece of china, ready to break at any moment?

  “John, do you ever consider the possibility that we might not get Andrea?”

  He pulled back from her and, taking her chin in his hand, forced her gaze up to meet his. “No,” he said forcefully. “I thought that for a long time, but not anymore. We have her picture, and pretty soon we’re going to have a travel date. I think we’re definitely about to become a family of four, so just get ready, mi muñeca.”

  Mari smiled. John’s confidence was contagious, and she loved being called his little doll. “Okay, then. No more worries.

  We’re getting a little girl.”

  “Yes, we are.” He let go of her chin. “But right now, can we get dinner?” The playful light in his eyes made her smile grow.

  She stepped out of his embrace, and he followed her to the kitchen. “I was thinking maybe you could grill some chicken and veggies. I’ll get it all ready and then spend some time with Emmy while you grill. Does that work?”

  “Sorry, didn’t hear that. I was distracted by the view from back here.”

  She turned and swatted at his shoulder. “John Campbell, are you sexually harassing me? They have laws about that in this country.”

  “Absolutely. Is it working?” His devilish grin was adorable.

  “You’re too much.” She leaned forward, intending to give him a peck on the lips, but his arms wound around her and pulled her tight, deepening the kiss. For a brief second, she thought about resisting. Dinner wasn’t going to make itself. But then he moved his hand against her hip and she gave in to him, loving that he still wanted her like this after five years of marriage. She felt that wonderful spark she’d had ever since their first kiss and ran her fingers up his neck and through his golden hair.

  “Mommy, I’m hungry.” Emmy pulled on Mari’s shirt top.

  “Foiled again,” John whispered as he released her with a peck on her nose. She trailed her hand along his face and then turned to Emmy.

  “Okay, sweetie. Mommy’s going to make dinner right now. Want to help?”

  “Yeah!” Emmy started bouncing up and down in excitement. Mari reached down and took her hand. “Then come with me, mi princesa, and let’s see what’s in the castle pantry.”

  “So tell me about these women you met with today.” John followed her into the kitchen.

  She pulled vegetables from the refrigerator and handed them to Emmy, who took them to the sink and began rinsing them. “They’re great, John.” Mari filled him in on the afternoon as she joined Emmy at the sink, rinsing the veggies. Together, they wrapped everything in aluminum foil and put it on a platter, along with chicken breasts.

  John took the tray and headed out to the grill, Mari and Emmy following behind. Emmy headed for the swing set, her brown pigtails bouncing along, as Mari finished up the account of her afternoon.

  “They sound like a really neat group of people,” John said, putting everything onto the grill.

  “They are. I had so much more fun than I thought I would.” She watched as Emmy pumped her legs, swinging higher and higher.

  “I’m glad you found some girlfriends.”

  “And I may have found you a friend in the process.” She turned back to face John. “You know that guy Jane’s having dinner with?”

  “Jake?”

  “Yeah. He’s a sci-fi lover.”

  “Yes!” John punched a fist in the air.

  Mari laughed as she went down the deck steps toward Emmy. It was definitely time for some mother-daughter fun.<
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  “You are such a sci-fi freak, loco,” she called over her shoulder.

  “That may be, but you love me anyway,” he yelled out to her, and she shook her head as her daughter ran into her embrace.

  chapter 12

  Jane dropped her head to her desk and rubbed her neck. It was midnight, and she had at least three more things to get out the door before calling it a night.

  She glanced up at the screen and the latest publicity proposal and tried to get some inspiration to finish it. Bill would know exactly where to go with this. Since he was a night person, he could always come up with good ideas when she was pulling an all-nighter. Her internal clock had gone to sleep two hours ago.

  She sighed. If she drank some caffeine now, it would keep her awake for at least four hours. Which was great except for the fact that she only needed about another two hours of work.

  Maybe a quick walk outside would get the blood flowing again. Wilson jumped up from her feet as she pushed back from the desk and stood up. “Outside?”

  He ran to the front door and paced back and forth in front of it. “Good idea.”

  Walking across grass heavy with dew, she breathed in the night air. A quick trip around the lake ought to get her brain energized. “Come on, boy.” Tugging on Wilson’s leash, they started a brisk walk around the water. The full moon reflected brilliantly off the water, lighting up the landscape and illuminating her path. She stepped along, keeping an eye on her surroundings like all the e-mail warnings to women advised, yet loving the feeling of walking through a dark night with no one to answer to. Singleness had a few advantages.

  Now, what to do about this proposal? Coming up with fresh ideas for fund-raising was always the most difficult part of owning her own firm. There was no staff to consult or conference room in which to sit around a large table and brainstorm ideas. Her work becoming boring and stale was an unending battle to fight.

  Their circuit around the lake finished, she turned her feet back toward the open breezeway. “At least I’m awake again, right, Wilson?” The dog woofed low and followed her back to their apartment, stopping to sniff at the base of Jake’s door.