Chapter 10
Jordan
As Jordan drove home in his Jeep, the picturesque coastal scenery seemed to blur into a hazy background. Thoughts swirled within him like restless waves in a storm-tossed sea. The kiss with Alex had left a lasting imprint on his heart, filling him with warmth and desire. But it also stirred up a whirlwind of self-doubt that threatened to engulf him.
He glanced at himself in the rearview mirror.
"What does he see in me?" he whispered to the empty confines of his jeep. He questioned if he had anything to offer someone as solid and capable as Alex.
Jordan's sense of inadequacy had deep roots, and it tied in significant part to his hearing.
When he was nine years old, he began to lose his hearing but was too young to understand what was happening at first. He became the outsider, isolated by his ears. After a few years had passed, he grew self-conscious about his hearing aids because of the constant teasing and bullying. Their presence constantly reminded him of being different and not fitting in. He struggled with speech therapy to maintain his communication skills. His isolation became his safe space, leading him to question his worthiness.
Even as he pursued a career in veterinary medicine and found fulfillment in helping animals, Jordan couldn't escape the feeling that he deserved less love and connection.
As Jordan approached the main building of Pawsitive Vibes Animal Clinic, a warm sense of pride washed over him, momentarily pushing back the waves of self-doubt. The clinic was a beacon of hope for needy animals, a symbol of his hard work and unwavering passion for veterinary medicine .
The beauty of the property never failed to soothe his soul. Tall trees lined the gravel driveway leading to his home, their leaves whispering in the gentle breeze. As he approached his home, the tranquil atmosphere enveloped him—a cozy cabin nestled in nature's embrace. From the inviting wraparound porch, he could watch the sun setting behind the trees, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape.
Jordan stepped into his house, the wooden floorboards creaking softly beneath his feet. The rustic charm of his home greeted him with warm familiarity, offering a sense of comfort that eased his earlier doubts. He closed the door behind him, shutting out the world for a while.
In the living area, the soft glow of morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle radiance over the room. The inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, a reminder that a fresh pot awaited him after his shower.
He went to the bathroom, a beautiful space adorned with earthy tones, a doorless walk-in rain shower, and an old-fashioned clawfoot bathtub. He turned on the shower and looked into the mirror while he waited for the warm water to flow. Stripping off his clothes, he stretched his legs from his run. Once the water was warm, he entered the spacious shower. The vibration of the of water splashing against the tiles created a soothing ambiance, the water beginning to wash away the lingering traces of self-doubt. He reached for his shampoo, working it into a rich lather and then massaging it into his hair, cleansing away the worries that had clouded his thoughts.
He ran a gentle hand over his ears as the water flowed down his body. The warm water was a welcome relief, a reprieve from the tenderness of wearing his hearing aids daily.
The steam enveloped him, creating a cozy cocoon within the bathroom. Jordan let his thoughts drift, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he remembered the morning run with Alex. The warmth of their kiss lingered in his memory.
With a final rinse, Jordan turned off the shower and stepped onto a plush bathmat. He grabbed a nearby towel off the warmer, its softness a welcome comfort against his skin. As he left the bathroom, ready to face the day ahead, he felt a slight glimmer of hope that perhaps he was deserving of the happiness that had entered his life .
With a towel wrapped securely around his waist, he walked into his modest bedroom, where scrubs awaited him. German Shepherd puppies adorned the scrubs that he chose today. He smiled as he put them on, thinking of Shadow.
Heading to his kitchen, Jordan prepared a simple breakfast of eggs and oatmeal. The scent of coffee filled the air, mingling with the aroma of oatmeal on the stove. He wondered what Alex might have for breakfast today. Perhaps a hearty omelet or a bowl of fresh fruit. The thought of Alex's morning routine brought a smile to Jordan's face.
Once his meal was ready, he poured a cup of coffee, adding a touch of whole milk, and then carried his breakfast to the small dining table by the window. The view outside was beautiful, a glimpse of the lush trees surrounding his home.
After breakfast, Jordan cleaned up the dishes, put in his hearing aids, and grabbed his car keys. He had a short drive to the clinic, but it was a journey he looked forward to.
As he stepped out of his Jeep, Jordan's staff greeted him with warm smiles and greetings as they exited their vehicles. Sophia, the practice manager, was the first to approach him. She was a skilled professional, but her nurturing nature shone as she offered Jordan a hug.
"Morning, Jordan," she said with a kind smile. "How's your morning going?"
Jordan smiled back. "Morning, Sophia. So far, so good. I just finished my run and had an excellent breakfast, which always brightens my day."
Sophia's eyes lit up. “Good for you. I stopped running years ago—never really cared for it, and only did it to impress a guy, who I found out later was not worth impressing.”
Jordan laughed. "You crack me up, Sophia." Sophia smiled and headed for the side entrance of the clinic to the office area.
Rebecca joined in the conversation as they walked to the back entrance. "Jordan, your scrubs today are awesome!" she said, noticing the German Shepherd puppy pattern.
Jordan chuckled. "Thanks, Rebecca. Thought I'd bring some extra puppy love to the clinic today, for one puppy in particular."
Rebecca glanced at him with a mischievous look. “One puppy in particular or one muscle-bound puppy advocate?”
Brenda and Lisa, two of the clinic's receptionists, chimed in, too.
“Oh my, you are blushing, Dr. Williams,” Brenda said.
As Jordan looked at all three of them, he realized they outmatched him. Reaching for his hearing aids, he pulled them out gently and shouted, “I can’t hear you, nope, can’t hear a thing you’re saying!”
He walked quickly to the door to escape inside.Turning around, he saw the three ladies laughing happily in the garden area, pointing at him. Walking through the clinic's doors, he inserted his hearing aids back in his ears and walked toward his office.
Jordan entered his office, which reflected his personality—organized, efficient, and filled with reminders of the animals he cared for. He switched on the soft overhead light, casting a warm glow over the room. His first order of business was checking his schedule for the day.
As he reviewed the appointments, he smiled at the thought of seeing Shadow. Then his mind drifted to… that kiss!
After a glance at his emails, he responded to a few urgent ones and messaged Emily to get an update on the surgeries going on today.
But he couldn’t stop thinking about that incredible kiss.
It felt like he kissed my soul.
That is how deeply it resonated with him.
Jordan felt accomplished and decided it was time for a much-needed caffeine boost. He grabbed his favorite mug, adorned with a paw print on one side and a dog scooting his butt across the floor on the other with the words “express yourself,” and headed to the staff kitchen to pour himself a steaming cup of coffee. The comforting aroma filled the room as he took a sip, relishing the momentary respite.
And his mind drifted yet again to that amazing kiss.
His lips were so soft.
With his coffee in hand, he went to the kennel area, where he knew he'd find Daniel, who had been with the clinic since the beginning and was assisting with Shadow's care. Daniel had been working tirelessly, and Jordan wanted to catch up with him regarding Shadow's progress.
The kennel area was a bustling hub of activity, with various animals in recovery receiving the best care possible. Daniel meticulously checked on the patients, ensuring they were comfortable and well attended to.
And all Jordan could think about was that incredible, amazing, damn kiss!
Jordan paused momentarily, feeling shocked, confused, and terrified.There was no specific name for the emotion he was feeling, so he chose all three.He realized he had to get his act together and wipe the dumb smile off his face.
Jordan approached Daniel with a dorky smile, radiating an aura of having just kissed a Greek God. "Morning, Daniel. How's our patient doing today?"
Daniel turned toward Jordan with a warm greeting. “Good morning, Jordan. Shadow's holding up, and Emily's keeping a close eye on him.”
“He looks like he’s resting comfortably.”
“We're optimistic. He’s still not eating. He has drank some water and has kept it down. There is no sign of infection, and we’re managing his pain. His left front paw has some minor swelling, but Emily isn’t worried.”
Jordan nodded. "Thanks for looking after him, Daniel. Keep me posted, and if you need anything, let me know. Is Emily in surgery?"
Daniel nodded. “She just went in about twenty minutes ago. She has three lined up today.”
Still radiantly smiling, Jordan nodded and walked out of the kennel area toward the office. Soon, he entered an examination room and addressed a young girl and her father, who nervously held onto a disgruntled black cat. The girl had tears in her eyes, her voice quivering.
"Dr. Jordan, I think Midnight is sick. She's been acting strange."
Once the father put Midnight on the exam table, he carefully approached the cat, maintaining a calm demeanor. As he reached out to examine Midnight, she hissed and swiped a paw at Jordan, scratching his right hand. Jordan winced but stayed composed, although the scratch stung more than he expected.
"Midnight seems grumpy today," he remarked, his voice soothing.
The young girl clutched her father's hand tightly, her eyes wide with worry. "Daddy, what's wrong with her?"
Jordan continued calming Midnight down, whispering to the cat. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Sometimes, cats get scared at the vet's office. Let me look. "
Jordan could complete his examination after a few more minutes of careful handling with the father’s help. He smiled reassuringly at the girl.
"Well, it seems like Midnight has a minor ear infection that is causing some pain, but we can give her some medicine, and she'll be feeling better soon."
The little girl's face was sad, and she whimpered.He crouched down to her eye level and spoke gently. "I know it's tough to see your kitty sick, but the good news is that it's just an ear infection. Midnight will return to her normal self soon, thanks to the medicine I'll give you."
Hearing the girl's sadness, Jordan continued, "Ear pain can be uncomfortable. I wear these ‘pesky earplugs’ to hear, and sometimes, my ears get painful infections." He pointed to his hearing aids with a smile. "But when I take medicine and get treatment, I feel much better, just like Midnight will."
As he reassured her, she calmed down and hugged him. “Thank you, Dr. Jordan—I’m sorry you get grumpy, too,” she said. Jordan and the father laughed.
Jordan chuckled again, careful not to make sudden movements around the still-irate Midnight. "Just doing my job, kiddo. Now, let's get Midnight some medicine so she can return to being your feisty, lovable kitty."
The father held his hands to Jordan to show his battle scars from Midnight and whispered, “Help, this cat hates me, and I am in an unsafe living situation. Aren’t you a mandatory reporter or something like that?”
Jordan laughed. “Catnip, lots and lots of catnip. Or is it bourbon? One of the two makes living with a grumpy cat easier.”
The father reached out to shake Jordan’s hand and thank him for making the cat and his daughter feel better.
“I love this cat more than I will ever let my wife and daughter know.” He mouthed quietly so that Jordan could read his lips.
Jordan nodded and smiled. “Carlos will be in shortly to administer drops in her ears and show you how to apply the medication.I’ll check in on you in a few days to see how she’s doing. ”
The father and daughter thanked Jordan again, and he moved on to his next appointment.