Chapter Eleven

Babies and Apologies

The rise and fall of the voices in Garret's closed office let anyone know within listening distance that there was a serious argument going on. Woody had entered the building earlier and asked to speak to Jordan privately. Garret had raised an eyebrow at her, silently asking if that was okay with her. Jordan had responded with a nod and a smile. Garret had offered the solitude of his office, closing the door and going back into the examination part of his building….straightening and cleaning his equipment.

It was then that the tenor of voices caught his attention. Whatever Jordan had anticipated Marshal Hoyt saying, what was actually happening wasn't anywhere near it. Surreptitiously, Garret moved closer to the door to hear what was going on…thinking that Jordan might need him to intervene

"I can't believe you," he heard Jordan's voice rise in disbelief and anger. "You showed me home last night so you could spy on my father."

"No. Not intentionally and not at the beginning. It wasn't until I was out there and saw the house and land that I realized that Max maybe could possibly be caught up with this. He didn't answer any of my questions when I first came here…."

"That's because he has to trust you first. Just because you have a US Marshal's badge pinned to your self-righteous chest," Jordan reached out and flipped the badge up with her index finger, "that doesn't mean he can trust you…"

"And you've been evasive with me about this, too."

"Me? I've told you I don't know anything…and that if I did, I would tell you."

"And you hesitated just a moment too long in answering my questions. You know something, Jordan." Woody's blue eyes turned cold and seemed to bore into her soul. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet. The truth was she did have her suspicions. Not about her father…her father would never do something that could endanger the citizens of Tyler…people that had been like family to the both of them….that were family, in reality. But Max owned a bar…and everyone eventually showed up at the Pogue at one time or another for a drink… Max would inevitably engage them in a conversation and after a patron had few drinks, Max was known to be able to get any information out of anyone. Jordan had thought for a while her father may know something.

But her father was a former lawman. Jordan also knew that Max wouldn't open his mouth about any information or suspicions he had until he had confirmed them himself. He wouldn't waste Woody's time chasing down dead end leads. "No. No, I don't. I don't know anything." She clasped her hands nervously in front of her. She was ready for this conversation to end and for Woody to get out of Garret's office.

Instead he moved closer to her…nearly pinning her in a corner. "Yes, you do. Tell me what you know. Or at least what you suspect."

Jordan took a deep breath. "So that's what this is all about…"

Her statement took him off guard. "What's what about?"

"All of this," she motioned between them. "Buying my box lunch for fifty dollars…eating with me last night…charming your way into my heart… the dances…riding with me home…the kisses…" her voice and eyes lowered on the last admission, as her cheeks delicately flushed. The same flush Woody just knew would cover her entire body it he were to…he bit back a groan. "Because it's not going to work," she continued. "Despite what you must know by now is my inexperience with men, I can't be seduced or sweet talked into telling you what I may or may not know. This is my father you're talking about…."

Shit, thought Garret on the other side of the door. What the hell does this Marshal think he's doing to her? And what did he do last night? Garret wasn't Jordan's father, but for a minute he was ready to haul Hoyt out of his office and beat his ass. Or at least try to. All the fatherly protectiveness Garret still had in him was building to an explosive point. Until the bell jangled over his office door and Bug entered his office. "Dr. Macy….old Mr. Russell fell in the bath house and can't get up. I was wondering if you could come…"

Garret nodded, glad to have the distraction for himself and Jordan. If he was gone, Jordan would have to stay out in the main part of the building. And that would mean that Hoyt couldn't continue his tirade. He rapped stridently on his office door. "Jordan… I need you out here. Mr. Russell has fallen and I've got to go to him….he can't get up."

"How bad is it?" She called from the other side of the door, just as glad as Garret was to have an excuse get away from Woody's questioning.

"I don't know yet. But you're in charge until I get back."

"Okay." Jordan pushed past Woody, but before her hand could turn the knob to open the door, she felt the Marshal's hand cage hers once again…all tensile strength and sinew.

"This isn't over," he growled in a low whisper in her ear.

"It is for right now."

"No…it's not. I can't put you in jail, Miss Cavanaugh, but I can place you under house arrest right here."

Jordan turned then and eyed him down, giving him the same look she had given Pollack when she sent him packing.

Only it didn't work with the blue-eyed Marshal. He had that Lucifer look on his face again. Her breath caught in the back of her throat as she felt her heart break a little for the first time. Then she pulled herself together.

"Do what you have to," she said coldly, turning the knob under his hand and leaving the office. Marshal Hoyt was right. He was no gentleman.

So they squared off in the office…Woody lazily leaning back against the wall, not leaving the premises as Garret had ordered him to. Instead it seemed he was casually watching Jordan go about her daily tasks of cleaning the equipment and exam room…rolling bandages…entering information in Garret's journals. Getting caught up on her medical reading.

And she spent the larger part of the morning ignoring him. Or at least trying to. It was hard to overlook that man anywhere and when he was right under your nose it was doubly hard. But Jordan put on the smooth front she had perfected while she was on the battlefield…unruffled and unflappable.

But if Woody appreciated it or was the least bit cowed by it, he didn't let on. He just continued his watch, as if waiting for her to break down any minute. Jordan chuckled to herself. He was in for a long wait.

Until once again the bell jangled over the office door. "Jordan…." a breathless voice called from the doorway. It was Nigel, looking more disheveled than Jordan had ever seen the dandy look.

"What's wrong, Nigel?" she asked, automatically going for her doctor's bag.

"It's Mrs. Stoneman….Ben just rode into town hysterical. She's gone into labor…."

"And he left her out on the claim by herself?" Jordan asked, her voice rising in fury. Men…they're all alike…

"Apparently she sent him…it's still early."

Jordan swore under her breath…a habit she had fallen into during the war…and one she couldn't break. Nigel's lips turned up in amusement as Woody frowned disapprovingly at her.

"I have to go," she said to Woody.

"You're not going anywhere until you tell me what you know…" Woody said, blocking the door with his body.

"I have got to go. Lori Stoneman is expecting twins. This delivery could kill her. Do you want that on your conscience?" she asked, the cold edge of reality lacing her voice.

"Send Garret," Woody said over her head, directing his comment to Nigel.

Nigel looked from Woody to Jordan…he wasn't sure what happened between the two…last night at the dance he had been excited for them, hoping that at long last his friend Jordan had found someone that would be willing to accept her as she was…a doctor and a woman…and love her. Apparently something had gone seriously wrong by the way they were looking at each other now. But Nigel didn't have time for that. He had to get Lori the help she needed. "Garret's still tied up with Mr. Russell. He thinks the old man has broken his hip. He said for you to go…he'd try to catch up with you later."

"I've got to go, Woody. I have to," Jordan said, a defiant tone in her voice. She'd be damned if Lori Stoneman or her babies would suffer a minute because of this man's stubbornness and stupidity. "If you think I'll run away, you're welcome to come with me and keep an eye on me there. But I have got to go. And you're not stopping me. Is my horse ready?" she asked Nigel as she swept past the Marshal and headed outside.

"I've got it ready to mount," Nigel replied. "I'll stay here and keep an eye on things."

"Thanks, Nige." Without a backward glance she pulled her skirts up, mounted Camino astride instead of side saddle and took off down the dusty road, her horse at a full run, holding her bag and not watching to see if Woody was following.

Which he was with some difficulty. He untethered Chevelle and followed close behind. She rides astride and wears men's clothing…what the hell have I gotten myself into?

Jordan surveyed the tiny cabin with a practiced eye. There was a lot she needed to do before Lori delivered the twins that Garret had predicted. Like most frontier women, Lori had done what she needed to weeks before. The cabin was spotless, the baskets ready for the babies to sleep in…little gowns and diapers prepared. Jordan caught herself with tears in her eyes over that. Most women Jordan's age had a gaggle of children of their own following them around like stair steps.

In truth, if you looked in Jordan's workbasket back at her father's claim, you would find that she had knitted several pairs of booties and made a few gowns years ago … part of her dream she had to reluctantly pack away when she decided to become a doctor. Births made her revisit that dream, wondering just what choosing career over family had really cost her.

With Woody by her side this afternoon, it was doubly hard. She mentally shook herself and then rushed to prepare for the births. The first thing she had to do was get rid of Ben…he was babbling to Lori that he didn't want anything to happen to her…that he wouldn't survive without her. Lori didn't need to hear this. She needed to concentrate on getting her babies here. Frowning, Jordan thought for a minute and then pulled Woody aside. "I need your help with Ben,' she whispered.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Get him out of here and away from his wife …right now she needs to focus on what's in front of her…what she has to do…"

"And how do you suppose I do that? Arrest him for caring about his wife?" Woody hissed.

"No…take this," Jordan fished out a liquor bottle out of her medical bag. "Take him outside and get him drunk. Ben falls asleep when he's had about three shots. Then bring the rest of what's in the bottle back in here to me."

"Don't I get to have a shot?"

Jordan shook her head. "No. Maybe later we both will take one, but Lori may need what's left."

Woody nodded in comprehension. If the hurt got bad, Jordan may need to mix the whiskey with some laudanum to take the edge off Lori's pain. He had seen nurses do that on the battlefield all the time. As a matter of fact, he had been on the receiving end of the medication when he was shot. Woody took Ben by the arm and steered him towards the porch. "This is no place for us, Mr. Stoneman…this is all women's work…."

"But my wife," Ben babbled. "I don't want to leave her…"

"She'll be fine. She's in the best hands in all of Texas…" Woody took him out the door and then looked over his shoulder at Jordan. She was completely absorbed in her work, making Lori as comfortable as possible….heating water over the fireplace…cleaning her scissors and making sure there was string available. Woody shut his eyes and closed the door. For everyone's sake, he hoped it was an easy birth.

A half an hour and one sound asleep Ben Stoneman later, Woody let himself back in the small cabin to find Jordan holding the woman's hand and trying to see if the birth was progressing….her hand placed gently on Lori's abdomen. "Good. I'm glad you're back in here…how's Ben?"

"Asleep."

"Good. Hold Lori's hand and talk her through this…"

"What?" Woody heard the panic rising in his own voice. He had done many things….helped birth heifers back home in Wisconsin…led his men on the charge in Cowpens and Manassas…bound up wounds… assisted in amputating a few badly mangled limbs on the battlefield before gangrene could set in.

But he had never assisted in a baby's birth. Not a human one at least.

"You heard me. I can't do this by myself, and there's no need just to have you standing around underfoot when I need help. You said you had to keep an eye on me….so what better way to do that than this?" Jordan continued.

"But….I've never…"

"Well, I have. This is one area I have plenty of experience, Farm Boy. Maybe not personally, but I've delivered quite a few babies. And I can't keep a watch on what's happening down there while I have to hold her hand up there. So you hold her hand and keep her calm…I'll handle the rest."

"And that's all I have to do…."

"That's it. I'll save the gory stuff for me...I'm selfish that way." Jordan turned to Lori. "This is Marshal Hoyt…he rode out with me…he's going to hold your hand and tell you what's happening so I can help your babies, okay?"

Lori nodded, grimacing through another contraction, and gripping Woody's hand tightly. Woody bit his lip as Lori's fingers caught his in a death lock. He had no idea women could be so strong. He readjusted his grip on her hand.

"Wipe her forehead with this…" Jordan handed him a cloth dipped in cool water. "She's sweating. Make her as comfortable as possible…"

Woody gently mopped the woman's brow….noting that her eyes were focused and her mouth was set with the task ahead of her. He glanced at Jordan who had moved to the end of the bed, adjusting the sheets and bending Lori's knees. "Just about ready…" she said to Lori. "In a little while, I'm going to tell you to push….and you're going to have to try real hard…to push your babies out.

Lori nodded again. "There's a piece of leather…." she motioned to the dresser beside the bed.

"Good girl. I wish all mothers were as prepared as you are," Jordan said with a gentle smile, getting the leather and placing it between Lori's teeth. Woody understood now…during the contractions, Lori would bite down on the leather to help deal with the pain…the same tactic he had seen wounded soldiers use. Evidently Jordan had thought enough head of time to tell this young woman to try the same thing.

Later, when Woody tried to remember the rest of the labor, it all came back as a blur. He remembered the last contractions, how hard they were on Lori…how he had to hold her in the bed. He remembered Jordan's gentle words of encouragement and love…telling her when to push…when to stop…Her voice never raised in panic…not even when she told Lori the cord was around one of the babies' neck and to stop pushing for a moment so she could get it off.

He remembered the first tiny cry and then minutes later the second. He recalled Jordan telling Lori she had two sons. He remembered Lori's tears of joy.

He watched as Jordan gently cleaned the babies up and dressed them, wrapping them in the blankets that Lori had crocheted.

He remembered the tears in Jordan's eyes as she held the squirming infants…and was surprised to feel moisture on his own face. He turned away to go roust Ben and let him know he was a father….Ben went in…Woody remained on the porch to compose himself, watching Jordan through the window. She had placed one of the infants in Lori's arms and another in Ben's, and then turned away to wash her hands in lye soap to get the blood off. She caught his gaze through the kitchen window, and lowered her eyes.

Woody sniffed back his tears….trying vainly to get his manhood back in place. Whatever Jordan knew, he'd wager the rest of his expense money she didn't know anything for sure about gun smuggling. She may have her suspicions, but she didn't know the cold, hard facts. Garret had been right all along. Jordan had more compassion in her little finger than most people had in their whole body. He had witnessed that tonight. He waited for her to finish and tell the couple good night and that she'd be back to check on everyone tomorrow. Meanwhile, as soon as she got back into town, she'd send Mrs. Seeley…Matt's mom…out to the claim to help them tonight. Mrs. Seeley was a midwife with a sterling reputation.

Woody held the door open for her and helped her in Camino's saddle…noting her shoulders were sagging in exhaustion. "Y…you did good…." he finally said, breaking the stillness of the evening.

"Thanks. You didn't do so badly yourself, Farm Boy."

Woody swallowed a chuckle at her new nickname for him. "I think I owe you an apology…"

"For what?" Jordan's curiosity was peaked. Did he mean for kissing her or for his conduct today?

"For thinking you'd know something about the smuggling ring. If you knew, you'd tell me. Anyone that fights that hard for life….bringing it into the world and keeping it there … wouldn't participate in anything that might harm it."

Jordan bowed her head for a minute. "Thank you," she whispered.

At least he wasn't apologizing for the kisses.