Chapter Six

They didn't speak for weeks. Not on a personal level, anyway. Any communication between the two was strictly professional. Jordan continued on with her life…work, the Pogue, and John.

And Woody tried to continue on with his. His work as a detective continued to be rewarding, while his relationship with Kim was falling apart….if you could call it a relationship. Ever since the night he had left her to go find Jordan, Kim had kicked her whining into third gear, demanding he spend more time with her…something he was finding increasingly boring … even in the bedroom. He found himself looking for a pair of honey-colored eyes gazing up at him instead of Kim's icy blue ones. He wanted Jordan's body pressed against him at night instead of the silicon mistress that wouldn't leave his bed.

He was nearing the end of his resolve when an unsolved case in Virginia Appalachia Trail hit his desk one morning, peaking his interest because this murder closely matched a series of victims on the Massachusetts' end of the trail. His chief propped on the edge of Woody's desk as the detective read through the file. When he was finished, he gave the chief a questioning glance. "What's this got to do with me? This is Virginia's case."

"Well, they've heard about ours….and they've asked for the lead detective and the ME to fly out tonight and give them some help…exchange information…see if we can't track down the killer together. You're the lead detective on this case….and you know who the ME is."

Indeed Woody did. It was Jordan. He didn't know whether to grin triumphantly over the prospect of spending several days out-of-town and alone with her, or grimace over the frosty atmosphere that would probably pervade their trip.

He was still not sure what to do when he met her at the airport a few hours later. "Hi Woody," she had greeted him calmly. John had come to the airport to see her off. The couple quietly whispered they're goodbyes, and John had gently pressed a kiss to Jordan's forehead before he left her. Woody quickly looked away. It was still difficult seeing her with another man, and while the good-bye wasn't passionate, it was fond. He had only left Kim a note on the kitchen table, saying he would be out of town for a few days on police business and would be unreachable.

Jordan was quiet as they both found their seats on the airplane…beside each other. She went to put her carry-ons in the overhead luggage compartment, but Woody stopped her and did it. "Thanks," was her simple reply and she settled down quietly in her seat. And remained that way until take off. It was then that Woody remembered she hated to fly. Her knuckles grew white in the death-grip she had on the armrests of her seat. He reached out and gently took her hands in his andrubbed soft circles on the backs of them until the plane leveled off. "You okay?" he asked.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "God, I hate to fly."

He gave her a grin. "I remember…you'd rather spend a week driving across country to get to LA rather than spend a day in an airplane."

Jordan inwardly winced. LA. The kiss that had started everything. Leave it to Woody to bring that up. He had kissed her since then…several times…but it was those caresses that had started everything. And some days she thought they would never get beyond what they felt around that campfire. But she was tired now…at least physically. She had pulled a double shift before leaving to fly out to Virginia. She pushed her seat back a little and offered an explanation to him. "I pulled a double last night, Woody. I'm sorry I'm not such a great conversationalist right now…I'm just tired."

"Then get some sleep, Jo. I'll wake you up when we get there."

And he did. He gently shook her awake when she had to buckle for the landing. At sometime during the flight, he had covered her with a blanket and she found her head resting on his chest when he woke her….and his arm around her, holding her snugly against him. She was momentarily disoriented, but all too soon regained her professionalism, much to Woody's chagrin. He missed her warmth when she stood up…her perfume…the feel of her against him. He didn't know when he'd ever have that again…if he ever would. He sighed and gathered his things.

But his luck held. They got to the Virginia ME offices. Woody talked with the detectives on that state's case while Jordan conferred with the ME. And when it was over, the Virginia chief explained their accommodations. "When I heard the name 'Jordan', I assumed it was a man…so I've only got one cabin up on the trail….there's a bed and a sleeper sofa. I hope that's all right, because everything else is booked."

Jordan opened her mouth and Woody was afraid she was going to say that was okay, she'd sleep in the morgue…she'd slept in the Massachusetts morgue and it didn't bother her. Instead, before she could get the first word out, he said, "That's fine, chief. We don't mind at all."

Yesss…….his luck was holding, despite the glare that Jordan was giving him. He mentally gave himself a high-five.

"Okay, Farm Boy," Jordan said, she unlocked the cabin door and pushed it open for him to bring in the luggage. "I'll take the couch…you take the bedroom. But I have the bathroom first."

"I can take the couch, Jo. You'd be more comfortable in the bed."

"Nope. You see how small that couch is? You'd be complaining all the way back to Boston about your neck and back hurting. I'll fit on it better than you." She opened her suitcase, took out her nightgown, robe, and other things she needed and headed for the bathroom. Meanwhile, Woody surveyed their accommodations. Small kitchenette. One room that served as both living room and bedroom. The bed was against one wall and the couch against another. One bath. No TV. No phone. Fireplace and firewood. If things were different between them, it would be downright romantic. Woody sighed.

But at least he had her one night….maybe they could talk some things out. Maybe they could leave at least being friends again. He looked up as she came out of the bathroom and caught his breath.

Red. Red had always been one of her best colors. Her robe was a silky red creation and from the nightgown peeking out from under the hem, it was the same color. His mouth grew dry, thinking what it would be like to peel the robe away from her shoulders and kiss his way down to her….

But she was oblivious to his discomfort. "Okay, Woody. Bathroom's yours. And I didn't use all the hot water."