“What’s he up to?” Brett asked as Kiley paled.
“Nothing. He slithered home around one a.m. and is still there. He hasn’t called anyone. He hasn’t even turned on his computer,” Jordan hesitated, sharing a look with Brett that Kiley noticed.
“What else, Jordan?” she urged.
“It seems we’re not the only ones waiting and watching. Jesse said Samuels’ guy showed up about half an hour after they finished installing Wyatt’s gadgets. They found something interesting. Winslow has money in the bank.”
“How much?” Brett wondered.
“More than he owes Samuels.”
“So why doesn’t he just pay?”
“I have the horrible feeling that he’s even stupider than I thought. My hunch is that he’s going to try to take the money and run.”
“What’s going to happen to him if he does?” Kiley asked in a little voice.
Jordan was quiet. Finally, he asked, “What do you want to happen to him, Kiley? In an ideal scenario, I mean.”
“Ideally,” she began after some thought, “I’d have spent the night with you after we all enjoyed the hockey game and celebrated Alyssa’s birthday because I worked up the nerve to tell you I wanted to.” She held his gaze.
Jordan caressed her cheek. “Yeah, that would have been ideal. Last night you said you wanted to hold him down and make him drink whatever he gave you.”
“It’s not that simple anymore, is it?”
“It never was.”
She nodded and glanced at Brett, who was still sketching. “Okay then, I guess I want him to go away forever.” She realized how that sounded. “Not as in dead forever, just move away. And I wish there were a way to make sure he’d never do this to anyone else.”
“Okay, so you want him gone, so there’s no chance of ever bumping into him and you want him reformed,” Jordan repeated.
“Yes,” she confirmed.
“You’re too good, Kiley,” Brett stated. “I’d want him seriously hurt.”
“What would that prove? Other than that we’re as bad as he is,” she countered. “Is this Samuels guy going to kill him?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Jordan answered grimly. “There are rumors of people disappearing after they’ve crossed him but nothing’s ever been proven.” Jordan opened his phone. “Hey Jesse…yeah, exactly what I thought…I’m counting on it…thanks, stay in touch,” he sighed. “They’ll do what they can. Wyatt froze Winslow’s account so he can’t get the money. That should keep him from taking off.”
“Froze it how?” Kiley asked.
“Jesse said it’ll appear to have been initiated by the IRS if the bank checks.”
“But won’t they talk to the IRS?”
“I’m told it’s all in order and they’ll be no questions if they do. Kiley, for all I know it really is coming from the IRS. You have to trust me. They are going to do everything possible to make what you want to happen, work.”
“Are we out of it now?” Kiley hoped.
“Jordan?” Brett questioned when he didn’t answer.
“If possible.” They both waited. “It still depends on Winslow. Look, it’ll be all right. The guys will take care of it, I’m sure.”
Brett knew Jordan said that for Kiley’s benefit. It was much more likely that his friend would end up right in the middle of whatever happened between Winslow and Samuels but he’d keep his mouth shut like he knew Jordan wanted him to.
“So, who gets the sketch, Brett?” Jordan asked, kissing Kiley’s hand.
“Toss up.”
“Between me and Kiley? Let me assure you, as soon as this hurdle is out of the way, I intend to do everything I can to convince Kiley that she belongs with me.” He grinned at her. “In fact, I considered telling you it isn’t safe for you to go home alone.”
“Is it safe?” Kiley hadn’t thought of that.
“Completely. Jesse and Frank would prevent Winslow from getting to you even if he were dumb enough to try. And Samuels is sure to know that you were an unwilling participant so he has no need to look for you. I want you to be by my side the rest of my life but I understand you need some time and space to agree. I’ll never pressure you into anything. And I’d never lie about your safety to trick you into doing what I want. I sure would appreciate it though, if you stay for dinner tonight.”
“Of course she’s staying for dinner, Jordan. We all heard her earlier. When I said it was a toss up I wasn’t talking about you as individuals. I meant you as a couple, since I fully expect you to end up together, and your parents, Jordan. They missed the way you were looking at each other when you got here.” Brett turned the pad for them to see. He had captured them perfectly. “I’m a little rusty and I’d like to fix some things but it’s a good start.”
“Brett,” Kiley had tears in her eyes, “is that how we really look?”
“Yeah, you’re both giving off some pretty powerful vibes. Jordan?”
“Can I ask for one thing?” he finally said. “If you choose Mom and Dad will you wait until after I get to introduce Kiley in person to give it to them?”
“Sure thing,” Brett agreed. “Why don’t you two take off now? I appreciate you stopping by and bringing the sandwich but it’s time for you to go. I want to make some plans for later.”
“Who is it this week?” Jordan teased.
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“What about Alyssa? You could make up for what you said last night,” Jordan suggested.
“Yeah, right,” Brett snorted.
“What’s wrong with Lyssa?” Kiley asked defensively.
“Absolutely nothing. But like you, she has no romantic interest in me.”
“How can you be so sure?” Jordan questioned.
“Simple. If your cousin and your brother can manage not to kill each other long enough, they might be able to see the other sparks between them.”
“Really?” Jordan grinned.
“Oh yeah. There was so much anger flowing last night for no reason. They were on their best behavior this morning but it won’t last. They just might turn out to be even more fun to watch than you two were. Now get out.”
Kiley watched Jordan put the last few orange slices in a bag before he gathered up their purchases. When she caught Brett looking at her, almost daring her to ask, she decided not to. He obviously knew what Jordan was doing. She’d just have to wait and see.
At the door, Brett gave Kiley a hug and whispered, “Keep him this happy and I’ll be devoted to you for the rest of my life.” She nodded seriously. To Jordan, he whispered, “I know why you came. Not necessary but I appreciate it. Thanks, bud.”
While they walked, Kiley asked Jordan about Brett’s sketches. “Why isn’t he an artist?”
“He’s always done that for fun. If you think about it, he is an artist of sorts. Advertising lets him be very creative.” Jordan went into a bakery. He chose a loaf of French bread for their dinner and some wonderful looking cookies. When he asked for three in a separate bag, Kiley was curious but again didn’t ask. “One more stop and then we’ll head home.”
“I thought we had everything,” Kiley stated.
“We do. I want you to meet someone.” He led her across the street into a small park.
“Jor-in! Hiya, Jor-in!” A little boy with leg braces and a lopsided grin was awkwardly running toward them.
“Hey, Max.” Jordan knelt to catch the boy when he reached them. “How’s it going, buddy?”
“Goo Jor-in. Did ya see me run? I go goo!”
“Yes you did, Max. You’re really fast.” He tousled the boy’s hair. “I brought company today. Max, this is my friend, Kiley.”
“Hiya, Ki-ey,” Max said softly before he ducked behind Jordan.
“Hello, Max. It’s very nice to meet you.” Kiley smiled when he peeked at her.
“Jor-in, she pre-y.”
“I think so too.” Jordan started walking slowly toward the woman who was watching them. “Hi, Wanda,�
� he greeted her and introduced Kiley. “No Bear today?”
“He’s off at the puppy doc getting fixed,” she explained.
“Jor-in, did ya bringed a coo?”
“Yes but you know the deal.” He handed Max the orange slices.
“Yuh, fuit firs, coo afer.” Max sat on the ground next to Jordan.
“How’s Penny?” Jordan asked.
“She at schoo. Las night she read me stor. She do it again a day.”
“Wow, you sure are a lucky guy, getting stories two days in a row.”
“I a-ways get stor. Momma an Da an Wan reads too.” They continued to chat happily until the oranges were gone. “Coo now, Jor-in?”
“Here you go, Max. Small bites, remember?”
“Yuh, sma bites or I choke.” He nibbled on his cookie. “Goo coo, tan ya.”
“You’re welcome, buddy.” Jordan handed the bag with the other two to Wanda. When Max finished, he helped him stand. “Kiley and I have to go now.”
“See ya ext wee, Jor-in.” Max hugged him. “Less it rain.”
“You sure will. Say hi to everyone for me.”
“’K. Bye, Ki-ey.” Max surprised her with a hug too.
“Bye, Max. I hope I’ll see you again sometime.”
“’K, Ki-ey. We go home now an waits for Bear.”
Jordan and Kiley watched them until they reached the other side of the park. There, Max turned and waved before they crossed the street and went into one of the houses.
“He’s a great kid,” Jordan grinned.
“He seems it. He sure loves you.” Kiley smiled in return. “How’d you meet?”
“His parents are clients. When I first met them, Max was in an overcrowded, under-funded daycare. He’s come so far since they found Wanda.”
“Thanks to you, I’m guessing.” He nodded. “Another little account that means so much. I can see why you like them better than the faceless corporations. Each one has a story, doesn’t it?”
“Yep. Eventually I plan on phasing out my corporate clients and keeping only the individuals.”
“You’re such a good man, the way you want to help people.”
“Yeah well, the financial community is going to call me a fool. They’re going to decide that I’ve lost my touch and gone into hiding. They’ll say I never really had what it takes to make it big. They’ll assume I screwed up royally and it’s just not evident how yet.”
“But they’ll be wrong. You’ll be doing what you want. Does it matter what they think?”
“Not to me. What about you though, Kiley? Will their opinions matter to you? What would you think if I give up all the big dollar, power deals?”
“I’d think they are the fools for not accepting who you are, fools for not understanding that you care more about people than you do about money, fools who would rather convince themselves that you are flawed in some way than believe that you’d walk away from all the hype to follow your heart. A heart that tells you that the average, ordinary people who need your expertise are so much more important than corporate America is.” She touched his face. “You’re an amazing man, Jordan McKade.”
“Nah, I’m just me, a small-town guy who’s temporarily in the big city, seeking my fortune so I can get on with my life.”
“You’re not staying here?”
“Not forever. That is unless you want to,” he said, sounding uncertain.
“Let me tell you some things about me while we walk. When I was really little, my dad was stationed at a base in the middle of nowhere. When Mom would take me into town, I’d see whole families playing, kids with moms and dads. It wasn’t how we lived but I wished it were. Dad was transferred here when I was ten. The only people my mom ever got to know were the other wives so when he died, we stayed. I stayed when she died because, by then, I had my apartment, my job and the people I work with. But I never forgot that town. When you asked me earlier what I wanted to do instead of college? I was afraid to admit that I want to live in a place like that. I want the fairytale life. You know, meet a guy, fall in love, get married, have kids, get a dog. I always hoped to find someone old-fashioned like me who would understand that I want to stay home and take care of my family.”
“Why didn’t you want me to know that?”
“I thought you’d laugh. You’re so sophisticated, Jordan. You need someone your equal, someone elegant. I bet you even own your own tuxedo. I was afraid that I’d embarrass you if anyone found out how simple I am.”
“Kiley, you are elegant and I could never be embarrassed by you, no matter where we are or who we’re with.”
“But you should be with a professional woman who understands the same sort of things you do.”
“Kiley Fisher, listen to me. For the last time, stop putting yourself down. For your information, you are far more interesting and insightful than any of the so-called professional women I know. It doesn’t matter what you do, it’s who you are. I’ve been watching you assess people with no problem for months. Why can you see everyone else so clearly and not us?”
“I don’t know. I guess I formed an impression of you that wasn’t entirely accurate. I have learned a lot about you since the first time I called you and I’ve realized that some of the things I thought at first weren’t right. I know I shouldn’t be but I am still surprised at how regular your life really is.”
He snorted at her use of regular. “Do you mind that it isn’t glamorous and fast-paced like you assumed? I’m sure I can find us some exclusive party to go to tonight if you’d prefer to go out somewhere.”
“No Jordan, I like you much better this way. I mean, I was always attracted to you, physically. You’re one gorgeous man. Then I watched you talking with Brett and discovered you were also a good man. Your friendship is so obvious and open. Once you guys started helping Dee and Will I found out you weren’t a snob. I half-convinced myself that the way you seemed was an act. But last night you took such good care of me. It was so thoughtful, how you made this morning less awkward by getting me these clothes. You walked me around your neighborhood, introducing me to people who you care about, showing them I’m part of your life. You made sure Brett knew I wasn’t replacing him, which by the way, was unnecessary. He and I both know there’s room for both of us in your heart. To top it all off, you let me see how much you care about children and not just pretty, politically correct children either. I could tell you were disappointed that his dog wasn’t there today. I bet the three of you play together. Now I understand why you guys always have an early lunch on Fridays. You visit him every week, don’t you? Add in the way you just described yourself as a small-town guy and I don’t know if I should run like hell or hold on tight. You’re too perfect, Jordan McKade. You scare me and I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Have you considered that you claiming to want to be a housewife and a mother scares me?” Jordan asked seriously. “The fact that you’d rather stay in tonight and cook is a new experience for me. A few years ago, Brett talked me into joining him and his date and a friend of hers. I thought it might be nice to get together before the evening started to meet each other so I asked them to stop by first for a drink. The ladies were appalled to discover that I didn’t have a maid. My date offered to rectify the situation while she made it clear she wouldn’t be involved in a relationship with me if I expected her to serve when we entertained. Needless to say, the evening ended rather early. Brett found a new companion and apologized for an entire week until I finally yelled at him to get him to stop. And I want you to know that that was the last time a woman has been in my house.
“Maybe you’re the one who’s unbelievably perfect. Maybe I should be afraid that you’re the one doing the acting in order to trap me and take advantage of me.” They had reached his home several minutes earlier. “But you know what, Kiley? I think you really are who you say you are. I think it’s right to trust you with my heart. Hearing you say that you actually want to stay home and care for your family, our children and me
is too good to be true. The idea that you’d be constantly involved in our kids’ lives in a time when there’s so much danger to be found everywhere they go makes it feel okay to want to have them. One of the major advantages of my job is that I can work from anywhere which means I’d be right there with you for all of that too. Yes Kiley, I do love kids, all kids, not just the pretty ones. Max showed me just how much I’ve forgotten over the years. He really is perfect in his own way but you already figured that out. And that tells me you’ll love your kids even if they were in some way what society would label as defective.
“You say you don’t know whether to run or hold on. Every instinct I have is screaming for me to hold onto you and never let go. But, I said I won’t pressure you and I won’t. For now, know that I want you with me, forever if it’s up to me. This discussion is far from over. You have a lot of decisions to make. I already made mine.” He’d been leaning on the door, talking softly and Kiley was having trouble breathing. Not only did his voice alone excite her but his words made her heart race. “I’m going in now.” He opened the door. “I’ll be a very happy man if you come with me.”
Wordlessly, she walked past him and up the stairs. When he followed her into the kitchen, she took their purchases and put everything away while he waited. When she took off her coat, Jordan relaxed enough to do the same.
“You’re right, Jordan,” she began, finally facing him. “I do have a lot of decisions to make, major decisions that will affect both our lives. I’m sorry if it disappoints you but I need some time to think this through.”
“I’m not disappointed,” he declared, not moving. “I’d much rather have you be honest and admit that than jump into something you’re not positive about just because I said it’s what I want. Something I’ve always believed is that to be half of a couple means you’re willing to give and take, to compromise. That you may not see eye to eye all the time but when sharing lives it’s usually better to be open about whatever’s on your mind than it is to keep it to yourself. Both partners should have the freedom to be who they are. Maintaining a long-term relationship is damn hard to begin with without the added pressure of attempting to hide your true nature. Kiley, never, ever be afraid to say anything to me even if you know I won’t agree. When that happens, we’ll find a way to resolve it together.”
Questing (Cosmis Connections, Book One) Page 19