Chaos

by Barbara Huffert

  “I didn’t have any idea what they expected. I stood there, like a complete moron, until Jordan finally came to my rescue. He whispered that I should take a close look at Shane’s hand. He apparently spied his brother’s wedding ring right away and realized the significance of the way Alyssa was looking at me.

  “As it turned out, just about everyone there that day knew there was something between them. They weren’t at all surprised when they announced that the children with them were their children. No, I seemed to be the only one out of the loop. For some reason, no one felt the need to inform me, the cousin who I spent years begging to be more than that, that they had not only made peace with each other but fallen in love, decided to spend their lives together and found two very special children to make part of their new family.”

  Flynn and Charlie had approached while Kiley was on her tirade. “Flynn, Aunt Kiley is whining again. Can’t we just go? She might never stop and you said you would get me more cantaloupe.”

  Alyssa took advantage of the pause. “Kiley, let me tell you again how truly sorry I am. You’re right. I should have confided in you. As I’ve said a million times before, I didn’t because I didn’t want you to read more into it than there was at the time. I didn’t know how Shane and I would end up and I didn’t want to hear you making a fuss over us, only to disappoint you if we lost interest in each other. I didn’t tell you that I came to the hospital the night he was shot because I was scared to death of what he’d said to me. You can’t be mad at Brett for doing what I asked by calling me. And you shouldn’t take it out on Jordan for wanting to protect your feelings. I didn’t even know he knew I was with Shane when he got there that morning. Brett and Jesse were only trying to save me from the questions they knew he’d ask because they knew I’d already hit emotional overload.

  “And Chris was just being supportive when she picked me up at the airport. I was too stressed to hide my feelings by then. Shane asked everybody to keep quiet about Flynn because he wanted to tell me first. Honestly, no one deliberately set out to hide him from you specifically. That’s why Shane didn’t tell you about the house either and let you think he was just going for walks to strengthen his leg.”

  “It was so cool the day that Dad and Grandpa snuck me here to see it,” Flynn stated. “I was sure Uncle Jordan was going to blow the whistle on us.”

  “Excuse me?” Kiley asked.

  “Aw, son of a bitch! I just did it again.” Flynn turned beet red.

  “It’s out now.” Kiley faced her husband. “Perhaps you’d care to explain this to me.”

  Jordan looked guilty as he swallowed nervously. “I followed Shane one day when he went out. He said he was at Brett’s the day before but I’d been there and knew he wasn’t. I was afraid that he had met someone on one of his walks and intended to ask him about it because I was worried about Alyssa’s feelings. When I saw him go in the house that had been up for rent I guessed that there was something entirely different going on. Dad’s car was in the driveway but when I knocked, he was nowhere in sight. I purposely didn’t ask Shane what he was doing because I didn’t want to have to lie to you.”

  “Keeping a half-truth from me is so much better,” Kiley grumbled. “But, since it’s Flynn’s birthday, I’m going to let you all off the hook and shut up now, even though I have every right to still be angry.”

  “Can we go then?” Charlie peeked around Flynn.

  “Andie wants a cantaloupe to take home with her and Miss Sadie and Princess already ate all of Uncle Brett’s. I said, if it was okay with you, we’d walk over to the veggie man’s and get some. Maybe Murray can come with us,” Flynn explained.

  “Andie’s going with you?” Shane asked as Flynn nodded. “Make sure you stay with her and do not let go of your sister’s hand.”

  “That goes for you too, Murray,” Brian added as they scampered away, leaving the adults to find a safer topic.

  “Kiles?” Alyssa eventually said after several peaceful minutes. “Aren’t you ever going to forgive me? My life won’t be perfect until you do. It’s not like you to stay angry with me so long. Can’t we just enjoy our incredible luck instead? Can’t you be happy that we’re all in town like you wanted us to be and that Shane and I are both away from the danger of our previous occupations? Why won’t you put the how we got here in the past?”

  Kiley suddenly burst into tears and hid her face against Jordan’s chest. When he had her calmed down, he said, “I think it’s time, sweet. You can’t keep doing this.”

  “Jordan.” She let him silence her with a gentle kiss.

  “It’ll all be fine. I can feel it,” he urged softly. “Please, Kiley, let me tell them.” She nodded, making him grin. “Hey, everybody, listen up,” Jordan stood, pulling Kiley with him and getting everyone’s attention. “Since we’re here today to celebrate my nephew’s birthday,” he acknowledged Flynn as the group returned, “I think this is the perfect opportunity for Kiley and me to share our news. Some of you may have noticed that my wife has been a tad emotional over the past few weeks.” He paused for the snickers to stop. “We’re going to all have to be very patient and overlook it, since I suspect it’s going to continue. Or should I say, continue for the next seven and a half months anyway?”

  “Kiles!” Alyssa squealed as she realized what Jordan was telling them.

  “That’s right, Lyss. We’re pregnant.” Kiley sobbed as Alyssa hugged her tightly.

  “This is so wonderful,” Chris was still dabbing her eyes after everyone had settled back into their former positions. “I’m so glad we took Alyssa and Shane up on their invitation. What a day this has been! First, Sally and Dave told us they were staying and joining up with those friends of yours who are opening that diner. Then, Alyssa showed me the layout for the book she’s doing with the pictures she took with us and gave me a sneak peek at their calendar. It’s really going to do a lot toward helping the people of that town. They all just love her and Shane, with the way they came back and adopted Cherlene. Sally and Bill still have family there and everyone is just so excited. They can’t wait to see it. And now your news makes this such a special day.”

  “Calendar?” Kiley asked sweetly.

  “Sure, haven’t you seen it yet?” Chris continued, not noticing the way the group around her flinched. “I must say I don’t know how comfortable I’d be knowing other women are panting over my husband’s body but I guess there will be an equal number of men drooling over hers…” She tapered off at Kiley’s expression. “Oh no, you didn’t know, did you?”

  Flynn laughed. “I’m glad to see I’m not the only one on Aunt Kiley’s shit list today.”

  “Flynn,” Rose silenced him.

  “Oh. My. God.” Kiley paled. “Those pictures were you!” She turned her glare on Shane. “I didn’t even put it together when I saw your scar.”

  “Kiley, we were going to show you before it came out,” Alyssa began.

  “Think of your baby,” Brett cautioned. “There’s no need to upset yourself.”

  “You knew, so shut up!”

  “I’m so sorry,” Chris offered another apology.

  “Aunt Kiley, don’t be mad again.” Flynn bravely moved to stand in front of Shane and Alyssa. “If you are, Mom’s gonna cry when we get home and that’ll make Charlie cry and Dad won’t know who to help first. Please? I never had a birthday that didn’t suck before and, if you’re mad and they’re crying, this one will too.”

  Kiley’s face softened instantly. “Oh, Flynn, I’m not really mad. I admit I was a little hurt because I felt left out. I’m sorry I act this way all the time. My doctor told me that lots of pregnant women lose their minds. I hate that I’ve made your mom and sister cry. I didn’t think I was hurting them with my outbursts. I certainly don’t want to ruin your birthday. Not after all you went through to get here.”

  “Yeah, well,” Flynn seemed afraid she was going to cry on him.

  “Aunt Kiley needs a cookie,” Charlie declared. “Daddy alway
s gives Momma one when she cries. She gets crumbs all over.”

  “And what do you get when you cry?” Kiley asked, starting to giggle.

  “Cuddles and fruit,” Charlie announced. “Course I always get that.”

  “Fruit? Not cookies like your mom?”

  “Nah, fruit’s gooder. Daddy says it doesn’t rot your insides like lotsa cookies do. It doesn’t make crumbs neither. Is Momma’s belly gonna get a hole in it? She eats cookies all the time, even if she doesn’t cry.”

  “I don’t think so,” Kiley tried to ignore the barely concealed laughter around her. “You’re such a good girl for listening to your daddy and eating fruit instead of cookies.”

  “That’s what I kept telling Murray,” Brian joined in the teasing. “I’ve never seen anyone exist on cookies alone. You should have heard Shane when he called to check on her.”

  “You didn’t have to tell him,” Alyssa pouted, feeling like they were ganging up on her.

  “Aw, poor Pix.” Shane pulled her into his arms again. “Will you smile if I tell you that the kids and I baked two batches this morning, while you were in your studio? We only brought one with us and left the other one at home, for you.”

  “Yeah, Mom, chocolate chip,” Flynn reminded her.

  “And I won’t even make you eat any vegetables today since a birthday is a holiday,” Shane said with a kiss.

  Kiley surprised them all by laughing. “I never would have believed this was possible. My tough, wild cousin, tamed by a batch of cookies baked by her husband and kids.”

  “I wouldn’t necessarily call it tamed, Kiles.” Alyssa chuckled with her. “And it’s not just the cookies. I’d say it’s more the fact that I’m spoiled rotten and indulged by the most wonderful family in the world. I wouldn’t laugh at me so much, if I were you. I’m sure you’re plenty spoiled yourself.”

  “You’re right, Lyss. How did we get so lucky?”

  “Fate,” Jesse supplied like he always did when the question came up.

  Flynn groaned and rolled his eyes. “Here they go again. Back to the big old plan of the cosmic universe. Grownups are so weird.” With that, he wandered off with Charlie trailing after him to admire the only birthday presents he ever remembered getting, smiling secretly to himself as he thanked whoever it was that controlled this fate thing he kept hearing about. When he looked back, both his parents were watching them with warm expressions on their faces and he knew they were having the same thoughts he was.

  About the Author

  For Barbara Huffert, reading has always been a favorite pastime. A few years ago, she started her first novel after one of the friends she trades books with challenged her to write something better than the last book they read. Barbara’s been writing ever since. With her opinionated cats sprawled wherever is most inconvenient, she now spends her time happily wandering through the worlds of her characters.

  Barbara welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and e-mail address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  Also by Barbara Huffert

  Deal of a Lifetime

  Hot Rush

  Linked

  Questing

  Also see Barbara’s additional title at Cerridwen Press (www.cerridwenpress.com)

  Drake’s Rules

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