Chapter Nine

The Lady in Red

She went home to Garret's to recover. After two more weeks in the hospital, she could go home, but Garret was afraid to leave her by herself.

Woody had momentarily panicked when he came to the hospital to check on her…like he was doing every night now…and couldn't find her. A quick call to Garret's confirmed she was there and would be staying with him for a while. Her arm was still giving her problems and Garret wanted to make sure she was taken care of while she was recovering.

So Woody began visiting her at Garret's, coming over once a day to see her and make sure she was okay. She told him it wasn't necessary, but he insisted. "You were with me everyday when I was in the hospital in Boston. You helped me through therapy…staying with me even when I wasn't real nice to you. Now it's time for me to do the same."

He pushed her through therapy…encouraging her, wiping her tears when it got too painful, holding her when she was near collapse. "You can do this," he said. "If I can do it you can, too."

It was after one evening of therapy, when Garret was at work and they had worked on her exercises on their on, that Woody had pushed her particularly hard. "I can't do anymore," she said, finally setting down the weight she had been lifting. "I can't…not tonight," she shamefully admitted. She knew frustration was written all over her face.

"It's okay…you've done well…you'll do more next time…and even more the time after that."

She nodded and turned away. Being with him was both pain and pleasure. She enjoyed his company…but believed that once she was past this…and he felt he had repaid his debt to her…things would return to the way they were before…And she didn't want that. Her feelings hadn't changed.

"Are you all right?" he asked, coming around to her side and lifting her chin to look in her eyes.

"Yeah," she rubbed her arm ruefully. "I'll be a little sore tomorrow, but I really appreciate you helping me like this."

He gently traced his thumb over the fullness of her bottom lip. "It's no problem. None at all." Watching her eyes carefully, he slowly lowered his head…almost brushing her lips with his…when the back door opened and Garret walked in. Both of them jumped away like guilty teenagers who had been caught making out.

"Evening," he said, oblivious to his disruption. "How's it going?"

"Good. It's going good," Jordan said, turning away.

"Yeah. It is. Guess I'd better be going…" Woody finished.

He didn't have her alone again for two more weeks.

Jordan looked at herself critically in the mirror. She looked good…or as good as she could with a bum arm.

Woody was to be honored tonight by the governor for his bravery in dealing with the sniper. There was a banquet and a dance. Jordan was going. Not that Woody had particularly invited her, but she received an invitation defacto because of her work with the Boston PD.

So she had gone and bought a dress. A red dress, because she knew he loved her in red. And tonight she was pulling out all the stops to get his attention and keep it. Make him notice her the way he used to.

Make him want her again.

And this time, if he did, there would be no turning back for her. She would go to him…and stay.

Hopefully, the red dress would help. It was long and hugged her in all the right places, emphasizing her curves, playing homage to her femininity. It was low cut in the front and lower in the back. The bodice was beaded. Her hair was piled on top of her head and curly wisps hung down around her ears and neck. There was a pair of diamond studs in her ears and another diamond hung on a chain around her neck. A pair of stiletto heels finished her outfit.

Jordan sincerely hoped the dress, and her perfume, and her jewelry would catch his attention. She knew he wasn't bringing a date…he had told her so. Of course, he hadn't asked her to be his escort, either. Biting her lip, she turned around and left her apartment, making sure to lock the door behind her. In less than an hour, she'd know if she was successful.

"Are you ready?' Garret asked when he picked her up at the curb of her apartment building.

"Yeah…I guess."

"For everything?"

"I have no idea what will happen to night, Gar. I'm trying not to get my hopes up or expect anything."

Garret nodded. He was aware of Jordan's feelings and the way she had worried about the details of her dress tonight. However, he didn't know how she would react if Woody rejected her again…telling her once more it was time to move on. "What are you going to do if…" he asked, his voice trailing off.

"I don't know."

They arrived at the country club where the dinner was being held. Jordan caught sight of Woody at the front of the room, surrounded by fellow policemen and local dignitaries. In a black tux, he looked good enough to eat. She bit her lip again. Looking like that, he'd probably have a string of women waiting to be with him tonight. She looked down at her dress with hesitation. What was so special about her that would grab his attention again? She slipped to the side of the room and waited until the announcement for dinner to begin. She was afraid it was going to be a long night.

He saw her the minute she walked into the room. His emotional antennae had been up all evening waiting for her to arrive with Garret. He could feel her…was aware of her presence before he ever saw her.

And she was breathtaking in red. He tried to work his way over to her, but was unable to. He saw her slide to the side of the room to get a glass of champagne and chat with friends.

He shouldn't want her this way again. He should be content to be friends with her, given their track record. But that was impossible…to be with her and not want her? Woody finally caught her eye and she lifted her glass of champagne to him. He nodded in return. Once the award presentation was over, he'd dance with her.

And then they'd have that talk he'd promised her when she was in the hospital.