Chaos (16 page)

“Want to take a walk and see it? I think it’s great, much
better than the one in the city.” Brett was as excited as a little boy with a
new toy. “I’ll call the realtor and ask if she can meet us so I can show you
the inside.”

Shane had to laugh. “Sure, why not?” He knew Jordan and
Kiley would be tied up with each other so he might as well see the house that
Brett was so eager to show him.

“He’s great!” Alyssa exclaimed without any greeting, knowing
Shane would be up, listening to his brother’s first broadcast.

“Of course he is but how can you pick him up? I know AM
signals carry pretty far at night but I didn’t think theirs was that strong.”
Shane couldn’t believe how pleased he was to hear her voice.

“It’s not. Jesse gave me something Wyatt made. It’s kind of
like a phone but it only picks up Jordan’s station. I can set it to record and
play it back later or I can listen live or I can do both. It’s so cool to be
able to hear him. I can’t believe how many calls he’s getting.”

“You shouldn’t be so surprised. Brett’s been promoting him
for weeks. I can’t believe he ever has any open lines.”

“It’s a good thing he spent so much time introducing himself
at the beginning. That voice of his must be making the female listeners drool.
If he hadn’t made it clear that he was a happily married man, I bet he’d be
getting all sorts of propositions.”

“I suspect he’s going to get them anyway but don’t waste a
second worrying about that. My brother is entirely devoted to your cousin.
There is no way anyone is going to usurp her position as the love of his life.”
Shane wondered if she’d replaced him yet.

“Don’t be an ass, McKade. I know he and Kiles are forever.
Jeez, I can’t believe you even said that.”

“Hey, you’re the one who said other women will be drooling
over him. Are you one of them?” What a stupid thing to say! What was wrong with
him, letting her antagonize him on the phone?

“Go to hell, McKade!” She sounded furious.

“Wait, Pix, I’m sorry. You know I didn’t mean that. Not that
this is an acceptable excuse for me being a jerk but it’s been a horrible week.
Forgive me? Please?” He realized he was holding his breath, willing her not to
hang up on him.

“It’s not an excuse but I’ll let it slide, just this once. I
should have known better than to call you. I wanted to talk to someone who I
knew would be listening. I guess next time I’ll call Brett.”

“I really am sorry, my queen. I am truly pleased that you
picked me first and if you are willing to spare a minute, I’d like to talk a
little.” Shane hoped he sounded humble.

“Oh all right.” She laughed, filling him with relief.

“How’s your trip? See any destruction yet?”

“Not much. I got a few passable shots of a small tornado
but, fortunately, it was in the middle of nowhere. All it did was uproot a
small stand of trees. I don’t think that will be enough to discourage the
amateurs. It’s awful, in a way. I ride along every day for hours, hoping to run
into a storm so I can get this assignment over with but wishing even more
strongly that I waste the whole summer and not get a single shot.”

“I understand. I’ve been having similar thoughts. I want you
to find the mother of all storms so you can get back where you belong but, at
the same time, hope you never see what a bad tornado can do.”

“By back where I belong, where did you mean exactly?” Alyssa
couldn’t seem to resist flirting a little.

“Why, here with me, of course. In my arms, naked in my bed,
with me indulging your every whim. Where else could I possibly mean, Pix?”

“What, no career woman yet, McKade?”

“I haven’t even bothered to look, Campini. You know I’m
still hung up on you.” For the rest of my life and then some, was what he
wanted to add. “How could I consider having someone else with me when all I
want is you?”

“You are still so full of shit,” she chuckled, not believing
his words. “You’re picking me up at the airport so, unless you go bald and lose
all those firm muscles that I enjoy so much, you don’t have to feed me all
those lines between now and then.”

“What, a guy can’t remind a sexy babe that he’s still here,
wanting her, waiting for her to return?” Shane knew she thought he was just
teasing. “I miss you. Even more than I expected to. I’m already looking forward
to seeing you again and you’re nowhere near ready to come home. I just don’t
want you to forget me.”

“Don’t be so insecure, stud. You know that our last night
was both memorable and special.” The things he’d made her feel that night!
She’d go to her grave remembering all the ways he’d coaxed her body to climax.

“Thanks, Campini. You know I aim to please.” And she sure
had pleased him, all night long. “Where are you headed next?”

“Nebraska, I think. It’s all starting to look the same to
me. I knew this part of the country was mostly flat farmland but this is
getting ridiculous. I spent the afternoon listening to Murray read his homework
to me. It’s amazing how interesting a story about a dog that always gets into
trouble can be when you’ve been staring at wheat fields for three days. Chris
keeps telling me that it’ll get better as we move further north. At this rate,
I’d settle for a broken-down tractor.”

“Aw, poor Pix. Why don’t you try picturing how happy my body
will be to see you when you get home?”

“I’m travelling with a seven-year-old!”

“I’m not suggesting you tell him about it. I was just trying
to help.”

“And keep your naked, hard bod fresh in my mind.”

“You can’t blame a guy for trying. I’ve been seeing yours in
my dreams every night so it’s only fair.”

“You don’t have to try so hard. Didn’t Brett tell you what
he gave me?” Not to mention the set of pictures she brought with her that he
had posed for that day they’d spent in her studio.

“No, what was it?”

“A sketch of us, handcuffed, with a smaller one of you
looking at me like you did when I showed up in the bar in your jacket. He drew
you perfectly so I don’t need to imagine your chest. I can see it.”

“Hmm, I guess I should tell you that I got one too. And he
made you look just as hot as you did in person. I also have your photos of us
in case I start to think I’m imagining how good we look together. I thought, or
should I say hoped, that you packed a few of them.”

“I did,” she admitted wistfully. “I’d better say good night.
There’s a front rolling in so Brian says we need to head out early tomorrow.
I’m taping Jordan’s show so I can listen tomorrow. I don’t mind country music
but it’s getting a little tiresome, day after day.”

“I bet. Thanks for calling, Pix. Pleasant dreams. I hope you
have the same one I’ve been having.”

“Maybe you should tell me about it, just in case.”

“I don’t have to. You already know how it goes. Remember our
last night together? Well, my mind keeps letting me re-experience it every time
I fall asleep. Too bad I wake up holding air instead of you.”

“That’s why they invented cold showers, McKade,” she teased.
“Tonight, when you make me come all those times like you did, let your mind
tell you that I’m feeling it all over again too.”

“You’re killing me, Pix.”

“Aren’t you the one who called it anticipation? Night, stud.
See you in your dreams.” She could hear his groan as she hung up. Why had she
let the conversation take that direction? Now she’d be up all night, horny and
wet, as she always was when she thought of the ways they’d made love. Made
love? Where the hell did that thought come from? They’d had sex, just sex,
nothing more than that!

“Thanks for joining me. I’m Jordan McKade, your host and I’d
like to welcome you to the show. Before I take your calls, I’d like to remind
you that I’m looking for interns, so if anyone from the college is interested,
please stop by the station and pick up an information packet. It has everything
you need but if you still have questions, just give us a call. I’d like to
thank those who have already expressed your interest and let you know that I’ll
be in touch soon. I’d also like to tell you how much I appreciate your
enthusiasm for this show. It’s as new to me as it is to you so let’s make it
into something we can all enjoy.

“On a more personal note, my wife, Kiley and I are
overwhelmed by the friendship you’re all so quick to extend. We both think this
is a great town and look forward to getting to know all of our neighbors. If
you see us around town, please take a minute to introduce yourself to us. This
town is our home now so please, don’t stay strangers.

“Getting back to business, let’s open the phones and see
what’s on your minds tonight. Please remember that this is a family-oriented
station. Even though it’s the middle of the night, I’d still appreciate it if
you could keep your comments on that level. I will, however, consider any
topic, controversial or not, as long as you return the same respect that I’ll
be showing you.

“Tonight’s first caller is…” Total silence. “Well, this is
certainly a surprise. We have my good pal, Max, who is up way past his bedtime.
Hi, Max. I’m glad to hear from you. What’s up?”

“Hiya, Jor.” Max giggled, unable to contain his excitement
at calling his friend. “I’s really on a radio?”

“You sure are. For those of you who don’t already know Max
was the best man at my recent wedding.”

“I was good.”

“You were great.”

“It’s okay that I’s up now. Wan made me has a nap today.”

“Whew! That was a good idea that Wanda had. I guess that
means that your mom and dad know you’re calling me too.”

“Yeah, they’s listening in a kitchen. Penn’s dere too.”

“Wow, the whole family stayed up to hear you on the radio. I
always knew you were an extra special guy, Max.”

“I has sumpin’ I hasa say.”

“All right, Max. What can I help you with tonight?”

“Well… I… Dad says I should jus tell you what I tinks.”

“Your dad is right.”

“Okay. Jor, is you an Ki come a see me tomor?”

“Absolutely. You know we always visit you on Fridays. Do you
have a special request for your treat?” Jordan looked up, startled, when the
door to the broadcast booth opened and Kiley slipped in. There was something on
her face that made his heart skip a beat. “Guess what, Max. My beautiful wife
just got here. Maybe we can get her to talk to us on the air.”

“I calls her first. She proms she sit with you when I asks
my quest.”

“All right, she’s here so why don’t you tell me what is so
important that you had to give up your afternoon in the park for a nap?”

“Jor, you hasa take Bear home tomor when you go.”

“Max…”

“Jor, you hasa! I can’t play with him and he wanna run so he
needs you an Ki. Penn says Shane’s gonna takes her for a kitty. I wanna see it
before I’s dead. Kitties don like Bear so you gotta takes him. Please, Jor? I
love Bear an we has lotsa fun but he hasa be yours now. Tans for letting me has
him las year. He’s a bes pooch in the worl.”

Jordan understood why his wife had joined him. She knew how
Max’s request was going to affect him. When she slid her chair closer in order
to hold him, he didn’t resist.

“Ki, tells him.” Max was pleading and Jordan could hear that
he was about to cry.

Sensing that Jordan was too choked up to respond, Kiley
flipped the switch that he had showed her on her previous visit that would open
the microphone for any guests. “Hi, Max. I’m here to help. Please don’t cry or
you’ll get me started too.”

“Tells him, Ki.”

“I will, Max. Jordan knows you love Bear. You wouldn’t be
asking him this if you weren’t ready to give him up. We have a really great
yard that I know he’ll love to run around in. We’ll take good care of him, just
like you did. But how about if we bring him with us when we come to visit you?”

“Tans, Ki. I loves you.”

“I love you too, Max. I’m so glad you’re my friend. You
really are the best.”

“I’s hap you mar Jor. He’s my bes fren. We has lotsa fun an
Jor brings a bes treats.”

Jordan forced himself to swallow the lump in his throat and
talk to the little boy who had become so important to him over the past few
years. “Okay, Max. You win. If you really want Bear to come home with us
tomorrow, he can. But, if you change your mind, all you have to do is call and
I’ll bring him right back to you, no matter what time of day it is.”

“Okay, Jor. Penn’s gonna be real hap ta gets her kitty.”

“It so happens that I have some good news for her. My
brother, Shane just called on another line and left a message for me to have
you tell her that he’ll be by Saturday morning so they can start looking for
her kitty.”

Max laughed with excitement. “She’s gonna has fun!”

“Yes, she will. My big brother, Shane, will make sure they
find her the greatest cat there is. Don’t you worry.”

“I’s not wor. He’s her fren jus like you’s mine. I loves
you, Jor.”

“I love you, Max. You’re the greatest kid, you know that?”

“Nah, I’s jus me. You an Ki’s gonna has great kids.”

Kiley took over when Jordan had trouble controlling his
emotions again. “Hey Max, I think it’s my turn to ask you a question.”

“What?”

“Since you were our best man and you are such a special
friend, I was wondering if you would mind if we named our first child Max? I’d
be so honored if you shared your name with us.”

“Cool!” Max giggled. “Ki, I’s sor that I’s not gonna be here
a play with your kid.”

“Me too, Max. But don’t you think for one minute that our
child isn’t going to know all about you. Jordan and I will make sure he knows
where his name came from. I know Brett has lots of things to say about you and
my cousin, Alyssa gave us all those pictures she took of you.”

“What if it’s a girl?”

“You can name girls Max,” Jordan spoke up. “Would you mind
if we gave a girl your name?”

“Tha’s cool too.”

“Thanks, Max.”

“Oops, Mom says I hasa go bed now. I sees ya tomor, Jor.
Bye, Ki. Tans for letting me on a radio.”

“Thanks for calling. We’ll see you tomorrow and I promise we
won’t forget your treats.”

“Night, Max. Sleep well.”

Mark, the show’s technician, instantly cut off both
microphones and switched to a series of commercials. While his boss had been
talking to his young pal, he had called a buddy who was hoping for an
internship in the fall and had him rush over to the station while Jordan was
still on with Max.

“Jordan,” Mark interrupted, bringing his friend into the
booth with him. “This is Greg, my buddy who applied for the internship. I think
this would be a perfect opportunity for him to show you how well suited he is
for the position. Why don’t you introduce him and let him take a few calls for
you, just until you are ready to talk? We already have all the lines full with
reaction to your friend wanting you to have his dog.”

“Thanks but I don’t know…” Jordan hesitated even though he
could barely speak.

“Jordan,” Kiley interrupted through her tears. “Let him do
this.”

Greg spoke up. “All I need is a little background and I
promise, I’ll handle the next half hour for you.” He looked steadily at Jordan.
“You and your wife need a minute alone, not a bunch of other people, no matter
how well-intentioned they are.”

Jordan finally agreed and told him what he could of Max in
the next two minutes. When the commercials ended, he barely managed to say,
“We’re back. I’m sure you can all understand why Kiley and I need a short
break, so I’m going to trust the instincts of my right-hand man on the show and
turn you over to one of our potential interns. This is Greg Grayson and he’s
all yours.”

* * * * *

Kiley closed the door to Jordan’s office behind them. Her
husband was leaning dejectedly against the edge of his desk, clearly lost in
his own thoughts. Wordlessly, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him
tightly as he let the pain he was feeling out. Eventually, Jordan composed
himself. Brushing the tears from Kiley’s cheeks, he sighed deeply. “That was
about the last call I expected to get tonight.”

“I’m sorry, Jordan. I knew he was going to ask you to take
Bear at some point. He made me promise to help him get you to agree. I should
have warned you.”

“You didn’t need to. I knew he was going to want this at
some point too. I’m just not ready to let him go.”

“I know. None of us is.”

“How can his parents deal with this the way they do?”

“They don’t have a choice, do they? You told me Max was born
with this condition. They’ve always known that he’d only have a few years. His
mom said that he’s already outlived the doctor’s estimates. Every extra day
they have him is a gift that they cherish. I’ve been trying to think of our
time with him like that too.”

“I do understand that and I agree with the thought. Damn, I
hate this! Why isn’t a kid who’s so great granted a full life?”

“He has a full life, Jordan. It’s just not going to be as
long as some others. His family and friends have given him the best years
possible. Do you honestly believe he thinks he’s lacking in any way?”

Jordan considered her question. “I suppose not.” He ran his
hand over his face. “I need to be more like the rest of you. I have to stop
thinking of losing him and enjoy the time we do have.” He pulled her back
against his chest. “Thanks for coming down here now. He was right to think that
I’d need you with me for that conversation.”

“He’s more worried about you than he is about himself.”

“Yet another reason I need to change my attitude. I know I
upset him sometimes and I don’t want to keep doing that. I’ve got to be
stronger around him.”

“Jordan, he’ll know if you’re just acting.”

“Then I’ll have to convince myself that I really believe it.
You’ll help me, right sweet?”

“Oh,” she sighed as she tightened her arms, “you know I
will. In any way I can.”

“Kiley, have I told you today how glad I am that you decided
to keep me?”

“Yes you did but that’s something I never mind hearing. I
love you, Jordan McKade. You’re truly the kindest, most caring, best man there
is. Just remember that you don’t always have to be strong for me. You have to
let me take care of you too.”

“I will. I’m going to need you to hold me a lot when Max
goes.”

“I’ll be right next to you.”

Jordan cradled her against him for a few moments in silence,
letting her comfort him. “I should get back.”

“Can I stay?” Kiley didn’t want to let go of him just yet.
“I promise I won’t be in the way.”

“Kiley, you are welcome here whenever you want to come.
You’re welcome to participate too, if you want to. I love you, sweet.” He
kissed her gently. “Thanks for understanding.”