Chapter Ten

Unexpected Company

Springfield had a position open right away…but it was on the other side of Massachusetts. Cambridge was far closer; however, it's first available position wouldn't be open until fall. Jordan felt her spirit fall when Garret relayed that information to her. "You could always come back here," he teased.

"Don't think I haven't considered it…and still might," she replied. Then after a minute, "Tell Cambridge I'll tentatively take the position…but if something else opens up, I'll have to go for it."

"Alright, Jordan. Just remember the door is always open here. What are you going to do in the meantime?"

"Clean this house…do some painting. I've go some money saved…so I'll be okay." Plus Woody had paid her the settlement he promised. She first thought about sending the money back and telling him to shove it where the sun doesn't shine…but as her financial state got more and more uncertain, she had banked the money. She had also drove the rental car to New York, turned it in there, retrieved her car and her other belongings, including her apartment deposit. Every little bit helped.

"If you need me, call me. And if you change your mind and want your old job back…it's yours."

"Sure thing, boss."

So her days settled down to a familiar, relaxed pattern: Up early, a run on the beach, breakfast, and then do whatever project she had going on at the house. The time had a certain sameness about it that was comforting while she was getting over Woody, yet at the same time, the days seemed to melt into one another, until one month had passed, and then two before she knew it.

Until one morning when she was in the middle of painting the living room and her doorbell rang. Startled, she climbed down off the ladder and cautiously went to the door. It was mid-morning. The only people that knew where she was at was Garret and Nigel. And it was unlikely they would be on her front stoop at 10 a.m. on a Wednesday. She opened the door just a crack, until she saw who it was…and then threw it open all the way. "Cal? How in the hell did you find me?"

Then it dawned on her. "Woody sent you, didn't he…he had to find me to settle the divorce, right? And he's made you the go-between?"

"Good morning to you, too, sis," Cal said, hugging her hard. "And no, no, and no – in answer to your questions."

Jordan looked at him, the confusion clear in her eyes. "So Woody doesn't know where I'm at?"

"No idea."

"And he didn't send you here for any reason?"

"Not a one. In fact, he has no idea I'm even back in Boston right now. I left over a week ago on business…not that Woods believes that. I think he really assumes I'm drug trafficking or something."

Jordan's eye narrowed. "So how did you find me…and what are you doing here?"

"Can I come in first? It's hot out here."

Jordan stepped back and allowed him through the door. "Been busy, I see," Cal said, noting her handiwork.

"Yeah, it keeps me occupied and out of trouble until my job starts in the fall." She sat down on the couch beside Cal.

"And what job would that be?"

"A ME in Cambridge."

Cal raised his eyebrows. "Not New York?"

"Nah. I realized when I was back in Boston this spring that I missed my friends too much. So Garret is getting me a position in Cambridge."

Cal carefully looked Jordan over. "Why not one back in Boston?"

"Isn't that sort of obvious? Woody's in Boston. He doesn't want me there."

"Ah…my brother."

"Yes…your brother. And if didn't send you, why are you here and how did you find me?"

Cal grinned at her…the Hoyt dimples showing at the corners of his mouth. "With my new job, I have ways of finding people…and no, it's not illegal," he joked, noticing her expression. "I am totally legit and have been for two years now, despite what Woody may say or think. And I'm here because … well, I was worried about you. I go over to see Wood a couple of weeks ago, and you're gone. Poof! Just like that. Woody said you had already gone back to New York. Only you weren't in New York. I know. I checked. You were here."

"Who told you?"

"I twisted Garret's arm a little…said I was worried about you. And he was, too. Told him I was going to be through the area and I'd look you up and make sure my favorite sister-in-law was okay.

"I'm doing fine. And I'm your only sister-in-law."

"Then it's a good thing you're my favorite."

They both laughed at the light joke that Cal made and he reached over and gently laced his fingers with Jordan's. "He's changed, you know, Jo…Woody, that is."

Jordan looked down at their laced fingers. "I know…he began to change after the miscarriage. I don't fault him for being ambitious, but he's just so cold and hard."

Cal nodded. "Work…all he does is work….that's his mistress and his mantra. He's forgotten what's really important in his life…he's forgotten you."

Jordan squeezed her eyes shut to keep the tears at bay. "After we lost the baby…so much changed."

"You know for some strange reason, he blames himself for the miscarriage."

"I know…I've tried to tell him that nothing could have prevented it…and the odds of it happening again are nil, but he won't believe me."

"That's my brother…the guilt of the world on his shoulders. The Adidas of guilt."

Jordan nodded. It was an accurate description. She felt Cal's fingers tighten around hers. "He's worse now that you left him the second time."

"He told me to go…"

"I know…but I think he anticipated you wouldn't do what he asked…you never did."

Jordan chuckled. "Neither you nor I ever really did what he asked. But I'm not going to stay where I'm not wanted."

Cal gently lifted her face to look at his. "What if I told you I wanted you, Jordan?"

Jordan looked wide-eyed into Cal's face. He couldn't be serious. "Cal," she sputtered, "You don't mean it…we'd end up killing each other in a week. And Woody…oh my God…"

"It could work, Jordan. It could. Won't you at least try?"

Jordan felt as if she was running the Boston marathon in circles. "No.." panic was clutching at her stomach. Cal needed to leave before she started hyperventilating for something. "It wouldn't work. It would never work."

"Why?"

She took a deep breath. "Because you're not Woody."

She glanced up at Cal, who was grinning smugly at her. "I knew it. You still love my brother."

Jordan felt her face flush as she realized what Cal had done. He had been testing the waters just to see if his sister-in-law had moved on with her life. She nodded, nearly ashamed at the admission. "But don't tell him…please. Just let him go ahead with his life."

Cal nodded and stood to leave. "I'm glad you're okay, Jordan. And I hope my pig-headed brother comes to his senses soon…or else someone will snap you up right out from under him."

"But not you."

Cal grinned wider. "No. Never. For your information, I have a girlfriend. A fiancé as a matter of fact."

Jordan's jaw dropped in amazement. Cal … love 'em and leave 'em Cal was serious about one woman?

"You can shut your mouth, Jordan," he teased gently. "I have a fiancé. I met her through work. She's a doctor – an obstetrician, as a matter of fact."

"An obstetrician? Cal, what kind of job do you have?"

"I'm head of security for the medical research units of Boston University Hospitals."

Jordan's head swam just a minute. "You're head of security? Does Woody know about this?"

"Nope. He wouldn't believe me if I told him. I'm sure it will come up at sometime, just like my fiancé will."

"You haven't told him you're getting married, either?"

Cal grinned. "Nope. You're the first one I've let know that Calvin Hoyt is no longer on the market. He's found himself a great girl who loves him for who he is…not what people expect him to be. And as a result, I want to be the best man I can for her. She's a wonderful woman, present company not excluded, of course."

He walked over to the door and Jordan followed. "Take care of yourself, Jo. And remember…somewhere under all those layers of hurt…coldness…and anger…Woody still loves you. Very much." And with that, he was gone.

Jordan remained in the doorway and looked down the road long after Cal was gone. She was glad one Hoyt brother was finally finding happiness. She'd bet her bottom dollar the other one didn't know where to find it.