Chapter Thirteen

Saturday passed quickly. Woody and Jordan ended up at the farm for a good part of the afternoon, with Jordan meeting the rest of his assorted relatives and getting to know Aunt Jean and the girls better. Finally, sensing she was just a little overwhelmed with his exuberant family, he pulled her aside and said, "Let's take a walk."

She readily agreed…letting him take her hand and lead her out to the back pastures. "Behold…all those waving fields of cheddar and brie," he teased.

"How was I supposed to know…I was raised in the city. The closest thing I ever came to a cow was the dairy section in the grocery store," she retorted. "Exactly how many cows does your aunt have?"

"Head. The correct word is head. How many head of milk cattle does your aunt have?"

Jordan made a face at him. "Well…how many?"

"Two hundred."

"Shit."

"Cow shit, to be precise."

They laughed together for the first time in what seemed like years. Propping with her back against the fence and looking at Woody, she felt like she did truly have her Farm Boy back…He looked healthy…and happy…and at peace. Finally. The haunted look behind his blue eyes was gone. "You're okay now," she said, softly, letting him loop his arms around her waist, her own arms finding their way around him.

"Almost. I'd be much better if I could possibly get a kiss…just a little one…and only if you're comfortable with it."

Woody hadn't touched her, other than a hug or to reach out and take her hand during the entire time she had been in Kewuanne. He had been letting the emotional dust settle. He knew they both had just let go of a lot of personal baggage and were vulnerable. But she had said she wanted to start over… He wasn't sure this was the right way, but she could only say no…and if she did, he could handle it. It wouldn't be rejection, it would just be the timing.

"I think I'd like that very much," she said, surprising him. He looked into her eyes…and lowered his head to find her lips waiting on his. It was a kiss as soft as the spring time…as gentle as the breeze. Jordan wanted it to last forever…

Until she heard a young child's voice call out… "Grandma Jean! Cousin Woody's kissing Jordan at the back pasture." He pulled away from her then, catching her up in a hug.

"Leave them alone, child." Woody heard his aunt's voice ring out. "It's about time…."

They were flying back to Boston after Easter Sunday services. They both had to be back at work on Monday. And Woody had a follow-up visit with Dr. Stiles. They arrived at the services just as the priest was starting mass, taking their seats behind Aunt Jean again.

Woody glanced over at Jordan. She was the reason they were late….although he had plenty to do with it himself. Cal had left to go get breakfast and for the first time they had been completely alone…even if it was only for a few minutes. Woody couldn't help himself….she looked beautiful, even if she was still running around in her robe, trying to get ready. He had pulled her down on the bed for a quick make out session that had nearly gotten out of control until he heard Cal come in the front door and call out… "Aunt Jean….Woody's making out with Jordan in the bedroom…"

"Leave us alone, child!It's about time," Jordan had retorted, giving Woody one more quick kiss before scooting back to the bathroom to finish getting dressed.

She looked lovely in her soft pink dress. It was simply cut. Jordan didn't really like a lot of frills and lace. And she had the figure to carry out classic lines to an elegant standard. She outshone and out classed every woman in that sanctuary, Woody thought to himself with smug satisfaction.

Even the auburn-haired small-town beauty queen who came up to him afterwards. "Woody…someone told me you were home for the holidays," Annie had said, greeting him with Kelly on her hip.

"Yeah. It's been a while. How are you, Annie?" he asked.

"Fine. And who's this?" she asked, indicating Jordan with a slight look down her nose.

Jordan introduced herself. "I'm Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh. I'm Woody's girlfriend," she said as she shook Annie's limp hand and hid a smirk at the young woman's astounded face.

Woody grinned. It had been a great Easter.

Later, on the long flight home, with her head resting on his shoulder, Woody sighed. It had been a long, hard week….but finally, his demons had been slain. They were buried. He was at peace. "You okay?" Jordan asked, feeling his shoulders relax beneath her head.

"I've never been better," he replied, tightening his grip on her hand that was resting on his chest.

"So…everything is settled?" she asked, raising her head up to look him in the eye.

"Everything but this." He dug the Prozac bottle out of his coat pocket and tossed it in the wastebasket underneath the serving cart the flight attendant was pushing by their aisle. He simply didn't need it anymore.

"Are you sure? Coming off those things can be tricky…"

"Jordan, I haven't had any since Tuesday…and I've done fine. It's over. My past is just that…in the past."

"Not the same man you were?"

"No, thank God. Not the man I used to be at all….a better one I hope. One that you deserve."

Jordan sighed and nestled her head back down on Woody's shoulder. "I just want you, sweetheart…just you. Just the way you are….just for the rest of my life."

Woody smiled down at her. That sounded good to him. She had made him a better man…and he owed her his life…he could begin to repay that debt now…without any ghosts left to haunt him.