Out of the Woodwork

Prologue

Steve opened the door and knew instantly that he was in deep trouble. He was clearly outnumbered – two to one – and their weapon of choice was powerful. Jenna stood in the middle of the den with both hands on her hips, her lower lip stuck out and quivering, a mini version of the expression Jaime wore as she sat on the sofa.

"Aw, c'mon," he pleaded, chuckling. "You ladies would have just as much fun without me. I hate the zoo!"

Jenna batted her eyelashes, mimicking her mother, then held up her arms to hug Steve's knees. "Wuv you, Daddy," she crowed happily.

Steve raised an eyebrow at Jaime. "You told her to do that, didn't you?" he laughed. "I love you, too, Bug," he said, picking the toddler up in his arms, "but I just can't..." Jenna and Jaime's lips quivered in teasing unison, and Steve felt himself melting. "I can't go to the zoo until I change clothes." He put Jenna down and headed for the bedroom, mumbling to himself. I sure hope the new baby is a boy...!

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"Are you sure you're up to this?" Steve asked as he and Jaime trailed their exuberant daughter down the path to the petting zoo.

"I'm not sick," Jaime reminded him, "just pregnant."

"Which, by the way, you haven't told Oscar yet. He still thinks you had the flu." Steve put a coin in the feed dispenser and gave Jenna a few of the pellets, then held out his own hand, showing her how to feed the goats.

Even at eighteen months, she was a well-practiced mimic and Jenna's eyes grew wide as the goat lapped the pellets from her fist. She giggled and pulled more pellets from her Daddy's hand to do it again.

"She's fearless," Jaime noted. "I didn't have the guts to do that 'til I was three or four."

"You're changing the subject," Steve said gently.

"Just temporarily; we can talk shop later, at home. OK?" Jaime tipped her face up to kiss him. The gesture was soft and warm, but Jaime pulled away, frowning.

"What is it? I don't kiss that bad...do I?" Steve asked, handing Jenna another fistful of feed.

Jaime turned slightly, one finger to her lips as she listened to something in the distance that had suddenly grabbed her full attention.

"That's Steve Austin – the astronaut," a male voice was whispering, "and that tennis player from a few years ago. Cute kid; we'd better keep an eye on them."

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