Chapter Ten

Wedding Rings and Honeymoon Plans

My God, she's more beautiful than I ever imagined… Woody thought as he finally caught sight of Jordan and Max at the top of the stairs. Woody caught his breath at the sight of her and beside him he heard Garret and Nigel do the same.

Jordan was more than gorgeous. She was radiant…and with a smile solely for her blue-eyed farm boy. Woody grinned back at her, dimples in full view, and had to stop himself from going to her and taking her from Max then. Instead, he watched her slowly and gracefully descend the steps and walk towards him. When the time was right, Paul asked who gave Jordan to be married, and Woody swallowed hard when Max replied, "Her mother and I."

For a minute, Woody wasn't really sure Max was going to give up his only daughter so easily. Despite their "talk" this morning, Max had still shot him a warning look before he came down the stairs with Jordan. Woody gamely tried to surmise that when he had a daughter, he would react the same way.

But now Jordan's hands were in his and Paul was going through the wedding vows. It hit Woody then.

No rings.

In the rush to make everything perfect, he had forgotten the damn rings. He gave Paul a panicked look, but the priest continued as if nothing was wrong. When Paul asked for the rings to bless them, Calvin surprised Woody by stepping to the side and placing two rings in the priest's hand. A familiar glint of gold caught Woody's eyes…his parents' rings. Woody shot Calvin a grateful look and Calvin simply smiled back, tears apparent in his own eyes. Whatever differences the brothers may have had were settled that day at the wedding. The fact that Calvin was getting better…and had enough care and concern to pass along their parents' tokens of love and commitment went a long way to heal any rifts between the brothers.

Then came the part that Woody had been waiting on for four years…hoping for…praying for…planning for. "You may kiss your bride," Paul finally said, smiling at the young couple.

And Woody did. As chastely as he could. After all, this was just to seal the vows.

The honeymoon to Bermuda would seal everything else…he couldn't wait to give Jordan the tickets at the reception as part of his wedding present to her. The expression on her face would be worth it all.

For Jordan, the actual wedding passed as a blur, when she tried to remember it later. If it wasn't for Nigel's pictures, she'd never really have known who all was at her wedding … what Lily wore…the ribbon arch…Garret's eyes glowing with pride…or noticed the tears slipping from her father's.

The only person she had eyes for was at the end of that path and he held her complete attention as she came down the stairs and made her way down that never-ending walk to him.

There were a thousand questions she wanted to ask him. "How did this all come about … Who's responsible?"

And she desperately wanted to tell him that all of this…the beach, the canopy, the Persian rugs, the flowers….meant more to her than she could ever tell him….And she longed to tell him just how much she loved him and couldn't wait to start their life together.

Of course, first there was the issue of the ceremony. She listened to Paul as if hearing the vows for the first time…and repeated them with her whole heart…in sickness and health, for richer for poorer, in good times and bad…forsaking all others. Jordan never meant anything more in her entire life and tried to convey that meaning in her eyes as she gazed into her husband's as she said her vows.

Evidently Woody got the message. The tears in his blue eyes echoed the ones in her golden eyes.

A perfect situation got even better when Cal handed Woody the rings. When Woody whispered in her ear that the ring had been his mother's, Jordan's knees nearly gave way.

And when Woody kissed her, they would have given way completely if he hadn't been there to hold her. Then came the part that in the past, she always knew she would have turned around and run away from. The time when she was sure her identity would be absorbed into someone else's and she as an individual would cease to exist.

But Paul knew that. So when they turned around to face their family and friends after the kiss, the priest said, "I now present to you…Woody and Jordan Hoyt."

Good choice. If Paul had said Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Wilson Hoyt, Jordan may have headed for the hills. Instead, she clutched her husband's arm a little tighter and gazed up in his face…a face full of contentment and love. She felt the same emotions echoing in her own.

Then suddenly as it started, it was all over. She felt Woody lead her down the aisle to the area set aside for their reception….at Tre Fratelli's. She looked at her new husband in amazement. "But I didn't think you cared for…"

Woody cleared his throat and whispered, "It's amazing that one stiff maitre d' had such a soft heart for weddings…and you. Come on. The food is to die for and there's no octopus in sight…."

Jordan chuckled as she remembered Lily's original menu and her displeasure about it. Then she caught sight of the tables…white linen draped in pink and lavender to match her bouquet…set with glowing candles against the setting Boston harbor sun. There was fruit and melted chocolate, cannoli, anti-pasta, and other things Jordan had never heard of. And a six-tiered wedding cake. Six tiers…who would have ever dreamed….

And champagne. Lots of champagne.

And dancing. Lots of dancing.

It was during the bride's and groom's dance that Jordan asked all the questions that had been burning on her tongue all day and Woody gleefully gave her all the answers, taking in her expressions as her face filled with astonishment and wonder….that people could love her so much and had been so concerned for hers and Woody's happiness.

Everyone who had a part in the covert "Operation Hoyt Wedding" was there…even Drew Hailey. Jordan danced with them all, saving one special dance for Garret. "I'll never be able to thank you enough," she whispered in his ear as he easily twirled her around the dance floor.

"Just name your first born after me. That's only one 't', remember?"

"What if it's a girl?"

"Should I be worried, Jordan?"

Jordan shook her head. "Just find a feminine for Garret…just in case."

"Garretia?"

Jordan rolled her eyes. "You'll have to do better than that…"

Then Woody reclaimed her, holding her closely as a slow dance filtered through the sound system. "Have I told you how beautiful you are?" he asked.

"Several times today, detective….but that's okay."

"Well, you are incredibly beautiful…Mrs. Hoyt."

Mrs. Hoyt…"Mrs. Hoyt….Mrs. Hoyt…." Jordan rolled the name off her tongue a few times. "Not bad …not bad at all…"

"So you like the way it sounds?" Woody asked, mischief gleaming in his eyes.

"Yeah…yeah, I do."

"Then you're going to love the way this sounds…" and he bent and whispered the honeymoon plans in her ear.