Chapter Seventeen

Later that night, after dinner I find Captain sitting on the porch talking to Carolyn. They are not fighting or disagreeing, just talking. The children are doing something called homework and I find myself with time to kill, so I sit by the door and listen to them.

"Captain, you do know that Jonathan thinks a great deal of you, don't you?"

"I am honored to hear you say so," he replied.

"I'm not sure I should say this or even allow it, but I think he's starting to see you as a surrogate father."

"Me?" Captain acted surprised but I knew he already felt like a father to the boy.

"Yes, you. A spirit and not a real man." She gave him a funny look that I did not understand.

"That is a problem, isn't it?" He asked with a frown.

"Well, it can be. Don't get me wrong I think you're a wonderful man," Carolyn blurted out and then blushed as the Captain gave her a warm look.

"Thank you, my dear."

"But that's the problem, isn't it? You're not a real man."

"I cannot deny the truth," he studied her, searching her face, for what I do not know. "I am but a spirit now and no matter how much I may wish things were different, wish I were mortal, I am not an cannot be."

"You wish you were human again?" Carolyn's eyes softened as she looked at him.

"Of course I do. Then I could know all of you in the way I should, I could get to know you in a proper manner with decorum observed, and perhaps one day I could, in truth, be a surrogate father to both Jonathan and Candy."

Carolyn seemed stunned. Although it wasn't a declaration of love, the Captain certainly opened a lot of doors for her.

"You would be interested enough to consider that? A widow with two children?"

"Yes, of course. You are a beautiful woman with the most interesting children I have ever met."

"It doesn't hurt that Jonathan admires you," she commented, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

"That always helps," he admitted.

They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment.

"So you don't mind acting as a father to Jonathan?"

"I would be delighted to take on the task if both you and the lad find it appropriate." He stood proudly before her.

"Then please continue," she said and gave him a soft look and I saw him melt, just a little.

"When do you think I can reveal myself to Candy? It just seems wrong that she doesn't know too, rather that she's being left out of a secret."

"I know, I think about that too. I guess we'll have to play It by ear. The last thing I want is for her to be scared by you."

"I do not want that either," he grimaced. "All right then, we shall find a time at a later date to tell her of my presence. In the meantime I shall only speak with you and Jonathan."

"Thank you, captain, for everything."

"You are most welcome, my dear."

She gave him a sweet smile and then turned and went back into the house to check on the kids. He stared after her, and I saw the emotions on his face, interest, confusion, and growing love for the woman who lived in his house with her children.

You could tell her," I told him, stepping out of the shadows.

"Tell her what, Scruffy?" He asked me but was still staring at the door.

How you feel about her. That you're interested in her.

Captain gave me a sharp look. "I thought I did, didn't I? But in truth, that's is none of your business."

Seriously? I live here too, and I'm already getting tired of the longing looks you two share.

Captain frowned and pressed his lips together, he was unhappy.

You like her, don't you? I asked and went to stand before him, wagging my tail.

"Yes, I do."

You'd take her out if you could, wouldn't you?

"I most certainly would. I would treat her with the utmost respect and shower her with the finest things I could buy for her and the children."

Do you want to mate with her?

"Scruffy! How dare you?"

What? She's pretty, you're handsome, at least she thinks so…

"She does?" he couldn't resist asking.

You like her, she likes you…it would be normal!

"Ahh, Scruffy, I wish it were that simple, but It can't be since I am in the spirit realm and not among the living," He said distracted by his thought. Then he did something I didn't expect. He bent down and gave me a pet. And I felt it!

I stared at him in amazement as it registered that he had touched me. Startled by his own actions, he stood up quickly and disappeared. It seemed Captain still had some secrets too. And being a fine terrier, it is my duty to investigate them.