Chapter Eleven

Woody entered the bar…his curiosity was running high, and his guard was up. Lois Carver had relayed a message to him that a woman involved with the Malden case needed to see him tonight at nine at the Pogue. He had really hoped the case was closed…that there were no loose ends to deal with. She had said she would be in the back corner booth. Woody climbed the three stairs that led to the booths. All he saw was one shapely leg, incased in nylons and high heels, crossed over another shapely leg. He rounded the side of the booth and found himself staring into a pair of whiskey-colored eyes.

"Jordan?"

She grinned, stood up and kissed him softly. "How's things going, Farm Boy?"

He sat down beside her, keeping one arm around her, as if she was going to take off running again. "When did you get back in town?"

"This morning. I came by the precinct, but you were deep in interrogation with someone from some Loring case."

"Yeah….So are you back to stay?"

Jordan sighed and took his hand. "I'm here on a trail basis, Wood. If the Malden thing is truly over…if I can now have peace here in Boston…I'm home for good. If not, I'm going back to Ireland."

He looked at her closely. She was tired…he could see that. And still too thin. "Have you eaten yet?" he asked. She shook her head. "Wanna order?"

They ate dinner and had a couple of beers. Jordan told him where she had been during the month or so no one could find her. "I'm tired Woody. Tired of past. I'm ready for the future…I want to live my life in peace…without worrying any longer about the Malden thing. Is it truly over?"

"As far as I can tell Jo." He had told her everything that he had done to make sure the blame was squarely placed on Malden.

She nodded. "Sounds good."

"So you'll stay…."

"I want to…let's see how it pans out."

"Could I get a dance with you?"

A dance with Woody, before closing…that was like old times. "Yes…I'd like that."

He pulled her up from the booth and found a slow song on the jukebox…In a beat, she was in his arms. He danced with her through the next three numbers, only pulling away when he saw the bar was getting ready to close. "What do you want, Jordan?"

"I want peace, Woody. I want serenity. All the things that I found in Ireland, I want in Boston."

"What about me?"

Jordan lowered her eyes for a minute before looking into his intense blue ones again. "I want you most of all, Woody." Then she couldn't think anymore, because his lips were on hers…

"Where are you staying tonight?"

"I have a hotel room."

"Cancel it. Stay with me."

"Do you think that's wise?"

"Who cares? You're back…it's over…and I want you with me. I've missed you, Jordan."

"I've missed you, too."

"I'm glad you're back…I've saved something for you."

Jordan gave him a puzzled look. "What?"

"You know that auction you made your lawyer have to sell your stuff?"

Jordan groaned… "You didn't buy everything, did you?"

Woody shook his head. "No…just this." He pressed the key to her El Camino in her hand.

The three months went by quickly. The new DA was delighted to have her back in Boston…even if it was on a trial basis. Her work in the morgue seemed to pick up right where she had left off…she came in without missing a beat, with Bug and Nigel getting her up to speed on cases.

The biggest change that had happened during the time she had been gone was in Jordan herself. She had grown and matured. She was softer….gentler….quieter. Somehow, more feminine, even in Woody's eyes. She wore dresses and skirts more often. But there still was that same air about her that had been present in Ireland…the loneliness that seemed to cling to her. Woody couldn't put his finger why. She was staying with him right now…He was afraid the Malden incident had wounded her for good.

"Do you miss Ireland?" he asked her day, when they were working on a case in her office.

"Yes…I miss the friends I have there…and the country. It was beautiful . And I love the people."

Woody lowered his eyes. He needed to ask the next question, but didn't want to. He wasn't sure what the answer would be. He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear it. "Are you going back?"

"I don't want to. Boston has been good to me this time…but my dream is to have stability and peace in my life now. I know with my line of work, there's always going to be issues, but on a personal level…I guess what I'm trying to say is that I want a normal life."

"Jordan Marie Cavanaugh…wanting a normal life?" Woody chuckled and drew her into his arms. "That's different. But that's what you really want?"

She nodded. "I guess I finally grew up, Woody. I'm no longer that 10 year-old frozen in time in my mind." She gently kissed him. "That's all I want."

"We need to talk.." Woody began, and then his cell phone rang. In the distance, Jordan could hear sirens begin to wail. He flipped his phone open and answered, "Hoyt…" He listened to the voice on the other end for a few minutes. Turning back to her, he kissed her one more time…"I have to go. We'll talk…tonight?"

Jordan nodded. She hadn't received a page, so it obviously wasn't a homicide. He'd be going solo on this one.

Woody couldn't find her. And he was deathly afraid that for some reason she had run again…she had no cause to…everything in her life was settled -- James, Malden, her mother. But when he had returned to her office from the traffic accident he had been called to, she was gone. Bug said she had left for the day…a little early. Said she had some things she needed to take care of.

Woody tried her cell phone….no answer. Thinking she may have gone back to the apartment to take a shower and couldn't hear it ring, he had gone home….only to find an empty apartment. Her things were still there…what little she had left. At least she hadn't run…or didn't appear to have. He waited for a while…finally he took off after her….she wasn't at the Pogue…she wasn't at the morgue….finally it dawned on him where she was. He drove to the cemetery, parked, and took the footpath to Emily's grave. There she was…kneeling by her mother's headstone. She looked up when she heard him walk over and stand by her.

"Thought I might find you here," he extended his hand to help her up. "Are you okay?"

"Yes…I am now. Just had some unfinished business with Mom."

"Is it taken care of?"

"Yeah. You know, I just realized that we have no idea what she went through…James…Dad…Malden….her illness….I just really have no clue about how she felt…what really happened to her…"

"She knew you loved her."

"I hope so," Jordan said solemnly. "Because I did…and I do."

Woody gently led her away from the grave sight… "So what's next for you, Jo? Where's home?"

Jordan sighed. "I know I told you one time that home was right behind you…I don't think that's the case for me."

Woody felt his blood grow cold at her statement. In a tight voice, he asked, "Then where is it, Jo?"

She ignored his question for a minute. "All my life…I've been running…either to something or from something. To someone or somewhere that may have clues about my mother's murder…about my family…trying so hard to unravel the secrets that kept me bound…or running from someone who was trying to harm me….or running so I wouldn't hurt someone." She turned to face him. "But those days are over…my dream….is to have peace, stability…a normal life."

"I can give you that, Jordan."

"I know, Woody. And that's why I know where home really is now…"

"Where?"

Once again, she ignored him. "While I was gone…do you know what I dreamed of most of all?"

He shook his head…"No…"

"You. Woodrow Wilson Hoyt. I dreamed of you…being with you. When I'm with you, I'm happy. Life makes sense. You keep me safe. You keep me sane – at least most of the time. I missed everyone, but I missed you most of all. So in answer to your question…home isn't behind me. It's right in front of me." She leaned up and kissed him.

His arms went around her and he kissed her back, then hugged her tight, softly dropping a kiss on the top of her head. "So you're home….for good."

"For as long as you and Boston will let me stay."

"Forever sounds like long enough." He gently led her back to where their cars were parked. "Meet you at the Pogue?"

"Nah…I was really wanting a quiet evening at home…you….me…a good bottle of wine.."

"Sounds good…."

She laughed…"Sounds good…and normal."

Woody chuckled along with her. Life with Jordan would never be completely normal….but life without her wouldn't be a life at all.