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CHAPTER 47

"Oh…My…God!"

"What's wrong? Kevin!"

"Hello Delaney. Jordan around?"

"Oh…My…God!"

"No she's not. What do you want Kevin?"

"To see Jordan. Can you tell me how to get to her house?"

"No."

"Oh…My…God!"

"Tammy."

"Oh…My."

"Tammy!"

"Huh?"

"Meet Kevin Richardson."

"Hi Tammy," greeted Kevin, extending a hand.

"Hi. I can't believe it's you. I know AJ was here a couple of months ago and like Nick is here. Wow! Are Brian and Howie with you?"

"No," answered Kevin, with a smile.

"Tammy go find Mary and see if she needs any help with lunch."

"Huh? Oh! Ok. Bye Kevin."

"Bye Tammy."

Kevin waited for Tammy to leave, before turning his attention back to Delaney. Delaney was scowling at him. He decided charming was the way to go.

"It's been awhile. How are you Delaney?"

"I'm fine and I'm not telling where Jordan is."

"Why not?"

"Because she'll kill me this time."

"No she won't."

"Yes she will. You can forget it. Now excuse me."

A young couple were coming down the steps with their bags.

"Mr. and Mrs. Turner is something wrong?"

"My parents just called and our son Tommy's sick and we need to get home."

"I'm so sorry he's sick."

"Thanks. We need to settle up and get back to Knoxville."

"Certainly."

Kevin stood patiently to the side, while Delaney took care of the young couple. Hearing a noise, he turned to see Tammy and an older woman going backing into the kitchen. The young couple left. Delaney busied herself straightening things, doing her best to ignore Kevin.

"I need a room."

"We're booked," retorted Delaney

"Del I want the room they just left."

"No."

"Del did the Turner's just leave?"

"Yeah. Their son got sick."

"That's too bad. We haven't met. I’m Mary Tobias."

"Nice to meet you, Ms Tobias. I'm Kevin Richardson."

"Call me Mary and did I hear you say you want to stay with us?"

"Yes," answered Kevin, shooting Delaney a look.

"Wonderful! Tammy go get the Turner's room ready for Kevin here."

"Sure thing," replied Tammy, bouncing with excitement.

"Well I have to get back in the kitchen and see to lunch. Enjoy your time here Kevin."

Mary went back to the kitchen and immediately picked up the phone. Kevin didn't realize Mary was Jordan's aunt. She called her sister and told her Kevin was in town. Janis fired questions at her sister. She hung up as Buck came in the back door for lunch.

Janis filled their plates and joined Buck at the table. They offered grace and ate. As they were finishing, Janis finally told Buck what was going on.

"Guess whose in town."

"Who?"

"Kevin Richardson."

"Kevin Richardson," pondered Buck, for only a moment. "You don’t mean that long haired guy in Nick's band."

"Yes."

"What's he here for?"

"I think he's here for Jordan."

"Oh no! He's not taking her off on the road! Besides isn't he married?"

"He was. May not be now."

"Why'd ya say that?"

"He's here."

"Well let him be here. Jordan won't care."

"I wouldn't be too sure."

"Why?"

"Buck she loves him."

"No!"

"Yes and he loves her."

"But he's married."

"I don't know about that. Jordan and I've talked some. I don't think he would be back here if he was married."

"So where is he now?"

"Eagles Rest. Mary called. He wants directions to the house, but Delaney won't give them."

"Good for Mischief!"

"We shall see."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to talk to Kevin. I want to know if I'm right."

"What are you going to do if you are right?"

"I'm giving him directions to Jordan's."

***** "Damn it Jordan answer the phone," fussed Delaney. Suddenly there was a dial tone. "What the?"

Janis said, "hold off on calling Jordan."

"I'm so glad you’re here! Kevin Richardson showed up about an hour ago."

"I know. Mary called."

"I didn't break my promise to Jordan. I didn't tell him where she is."

"That's fine dear. Where is he now?"

"Out in the kitchen talking to your sister."

"Good. Do me a favor Delaney and keep everyone out of the kitchen for awhile."

"Alright."

Delaney chewed on her nail as she watched her best friend's mother walk through the dinning room and enter the kitchen. Man oh man, Jordan was going to wig out.

Just over an hour later, Janis found Delaney in the office.

"Thanks Delaney. I'm heading home."

"Wait! Where's Kevin?"

Chapter 48

Nick opened the door to find Kevin on the other side with his hand poised to knock. Both men were startled. Kevin’s eyes hardened as he looked at Nick. His heart was pounding as he wondered if he was too late. Surely, Janis would not have given him directions to the house if there wasn't a chance. Nick straightened to his full height making Kevin raised his head in order to maintain eye contact. Nick liked being taller than Kevin. It was one of the things that balanced things between them. He’s other advantage was he was apart of Jordan’s life, but Kevin didn’t know what part he played. He intended to make that abundantly clear to the older man.

“You take care of your shit?”

“Yeah,” said Kevin on a sigh.

“So you free?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm,” grunted Nick. “You know I care about her.”

“Yeah. I guess she cares about you too,” said Kevin.

Nick was surprised to see the look of dejection on Kevin’s face. Maybe just maybe Kevin had learned.

“Of course, we’re family. Shaq’s my family.”

“Shortie are you talking to yourself,” called Jordan from inside the house.

“No,” answered Nick as he watched a look of panic pass over his friend’s face. Leaning in he whispered, “hurt her and I’m comin’ after you.”

“Then who are you talking to,” asked Jordan, peaking around Nick.

People talk about your heart dropping into your stomach. The second she saw Kevin she would swear her heart went clean through the floorboards. Her mind was racing, but it was a string of gibberish. Mainly she tried to breathe…Not gasp or hold her breath, but breathe.

Kevin was trying to read her expression. All he could tell was she was thinking something, but what he didn’t have a clue. He began to chew on his tongue while he waited.

Nick looked between the two of them then broke the silence. “Well I’m gone fishin’. Be back later.”

Jordan pulled her eyes away from Kevin to kiss Nick on the cheek. Kevin saw the warm look exchanged and continued to chewing on his tongue. He moved when Nick stepped through the door. He turned to watch the younger man pull away in Jordan’s car.

Jordan steeled herself for when he turned around. Green eyes again met green eyes and held the gaze. Kevin still couldn’t read Jordan, but Jordan could read Kevin.

For the first time, he was unguarded. As she looked in those big green eyes she saw fear and hope. Kevin wasn’t protecting himself. He was standing there with nothing to offer but himself. Nothing had ever been more precious to Jordan.

He saw her eyes soften. In her eyes he saw the one thing he had been looking for everywhere. He saw acceptance. He didn’t need to tell he had taken care of cutting himself loose from most of his demons. She knew. She also knew not all of the demons were gone. Some would stay around, but they didn’t run things anymore. He was so lost in her eyes and the silent conversation going on, he almost didn’t hear her actually speak.

“Stop chewing on your tongue,” she said with a small smile. He must really be nervous she thought, because this was the first time she had ever witnessed this nervous tick she'd heard him teased about.

“Old habit. Didn’t realize I was doing it.”

“I could tell. You here to stay?”

She knew the answer, but needed to hear him say it.

“Depends.”

“On?”

“Can I stay?”

Kevin held his breath as he waited. If she didn’t want him, he really didn’t think his legs would carry him back to the rental car. He closed his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her. He wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and not let go.

She step closer and whispered, “you’re doing it again.”

“Yeah,” he replied as he forced himself to stop chewing on his tongue.

She stood close enough for him to be surround by her scent. He inhaled deeply as he looked down at her. She paused for a moment then tipped up on her toes to place a whisper of a kiss on his lips. As she settled back down on the flat of her feet, she smiled at him. All the air in his body left him in a rush as he truly relaxed. Stepping back, she opened the door wider. Without a word, only a big smile, he stepped inside. The closing of the door meant Kevin was home. Jordan was loved. They were together. So came the end or was it a beginning. Because isn’t that really what an ending is? The passing on to a beginning.