by Harte, C. J.
“We’ll all be home for Christmas.”
Does that include Drew’s boyfriend?
“Gotta go,” Drew said as she stood to leave. “See you Sunday.” At the last minute, she added, “Jordan.”
Jordan felt the smile growing across her face. She wanted to giggle and didn’t know why. “See you Sunday.” She followed Drew to the door and watched her walk out to the car. She really liked Drew.
*
Drew still had four more weeks before Christmas break. She and Mark were counting the days until the end of the term.
“I’m not a very religious person. David is.” He looked at his notes and put them into his backpack. “But I thank God, or whomever, that we ended up living together.” Mark hugged her. “Now, if my watch is correct, you’re going to be late for tutoring Jordan if you don’t hurry.”
“Damn.” Drew looked at her watch. “I’m usually better at keeping track of time.” She drove Mark back to their apartment before heading to Jordan’s.
Jordan was in a good mood and kept talking about how well her classes were going. Drew didn’t mind the distraction tonight. Jordan’s mood was infectious. And when she smiled, she was gorgeous. Drew was having to focus tonight.
“You’re catching on.” Drew could see how pleased Jordan was.
“I can’t believe how quickly we went through the material.”
Jordan seemed to be hesitating. She was looking everywhere but at Drew. “Is there something bothering you? Did we miss something?”
“No,” Jordan said. She licked the corner of her mouth and cast a quick glance at Drew. “I…I was…I just realized I won’t see you until after I get back.” Jordan carefully stacked her textbooks on the table and then neatly aligned her pencils.
She definitely seemed nervous, Drew thought, but couldn’t figure out why or what to say.
“I don’t know if you’re hungry, but my mom is always concerned that my brother and I aren’t eating enough when we’re away from home. So she sent pie and turkey, even though we’ll both be home in a few days. I’ve got plenty if you would like some. Please say yes. Otherwise, this will just sit here until after I get back.” Jordan was talking at a rapid clip.
Drew was hungry and appreciated Jordan’s attempts at being pleasant, even if she was nervous. “Thank you, Jordan, I’m starved.” She liked the way Jordan smiled when she said her name. “We were at the lab until I came here.” Drew moved the books in front of her. “You wouldn’t happen to have milk, would you?”
Jordan laughed and pulled the milk out of the refrigerator. “I never imagined you as a milk drinker.” The nervousness was gone.
“What do you imagine? Or do I want to know?” Drew liked the way Jordan tilted her head and her tongue tipped out of the corner of her mouth. It was almost sexy. Drew stopped. That’s not very appropriate. She shoved the thought back down as quickly as it came up.
“Coffee. Black and strong. Like in the movies.”
Drew grinned. “Well, ma’am,” Drew imitated her best Western movie drawl, “we don’t drink much coffee unless it has at least two shots of whiskey. Only way to stay warm in our bedroll.”
Jordan stared at Drew. Her eyes grew wide.
Drew laughed. “Sorry, I don’t spit tobacco or always sleep with a gun under my bedroll. At least not when I’m sleeping alone.” She enjoyed the look of surprise on Jordan’s face. “Sorry. You’re so easy to tease. Most nights, I sleep in a bed. I also carry a cell phone when working out on the ranch in case someone is injured or help is needed with the animals. Most, but not all, of our ranch has cell phone access.”
“Okay. I haven’t been to Wyoming, but I have been to Colorado and Arizona. Does that count?”
“They’re not Wyoming,” Drew conceded, finishing the pie. “Colorado is close enough. Are you flying to Ohio tomorrow?”
Jordan hesitated. She looked like she was trying to figure out how to answer. Can’t be that hard to decide if you’re flying home or not.
“No, I’m flying to Virginia and meeting my family there.” Jordan stood and waited. Drew wondered if she was supposed to say something. Guess not. She put the dish and glass in the sink.
“Have a wonderful holiday then, and I’ll see you in a week. And thanks for the food, ma’am.” Jordan laughed and ran to open the door. She walked in front of Drew with her foot catching on Drew’s walking cast. Drew lost her balance and fell into the front door, hitting her chin. Blood poured from the cut. Jordan grabbed a cloth from the kitchen and offered it to Drew. “I’m sorry. Let me drive you to the health center. You must think I’m dangerous.”
Drew held the cloth to her chin and stared at Jordan, stunned by the injury. Finally, she spoke. “Yes, ma’am, you’re very dangerous.”
Drew’s smirk didn’t seem to reassure Jordan. Jordan was nervously picking at her blouse. Drew struggled to get up but couldn’t get enough traction from her walking boot. When she was finally able to pull herself up with her left arm, she put her hand on Jordan’s arm. “Really, I’m fine. I just have one more thing to remember you by.”
Jordan was near tears now. Drew felt bad about the teasing. “Jordan, I’m going to be okay.” She lifted Jordan’s chin so that she could see into those troubled eyes. “If you’ll just get something to put on the cut.” Drew was in pain, but Jordan was the one needing comfort. Her voice softened. “I’m going to be okay.”
Jordan retrieved some gauze and offered it. “Please let me drive you. You shouldn’t be driving.”
“The cut was to the chin. It hasn’t impaired my vision, my reasoning, or my fine motor skills. Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”
“I’m so sorry. It was an accident. I didn’t mean it. Honest.”
“I’m fine. Really.”
Jordan carefully opened the door this time and walked Drew out to her car. Guilt and sadness hung over Jordan like a physical cloud. Drew wasn’t sure what to do.
“Don’t apologize. I know you didn’t do it intentionally, at least I hope not. I’ll be fine. Have a great Thanksgiving.” Drew wanted to reassure Jordan but felt like her efforts fell flat. There was little more she could do. Jordan needed to believe in herself.
Suddenly, Jordan’s arms were around Drew’s neck. “I am so sorry.”
Drew rubbed Jordan’s back with her free hand. “I know, Jordan. I know. I’ll see you next week.” She reluctantly let go. “I better get this cut taken care of and you better rinse your top off. You’ve got blood on your shoulder.”
Jordan remained standing where Drew left her. Drew watched in her rearview mirror as Jordan finally walked back in. She wanted to turn back but didn’t know what she would do.
*
By the time Drew arrived at her apartment, the cloth was soaked in blood. Mark stopped in the middle of fixing dinner. “What happened?” He shook his head then grabbed his keys. “Mmhmm. Come on. You may need stitches. What exactly are you and Jordan studying?” Mark didn’t wait for an answer. He turned off the stove and steered her out of the apartment.
Four stitches later, Mark finally got an answer. “I think she must have you mesmerized. You’ve known her about three months and you’ve gotten how many stitches? I’m not sure she’s worth what she’s paying you. You’ll probably have a small scar on your chin. On you, it’ll be cute.”
Drew wanted to glare at him but was in too much pain.
*
After class on Monday, a special car and escort arrived to drive Jordan out to the Gainesville airport where a jet waited. Within a few hours, she was at Camp David with her parents and brother.
“Jordan, you’re looking pale.” Her mother examined her closely looking for signs she wasn’t thriving. “Your pants are looking baggy.”
“Mom, that’s the fashion,” her brother replied.
“Really, Mom, I’m fine. Guess what? I think I’ll make the dean’s list.”
“Well, it looks like the tutoring is helping.” Her father sounded pleased. “How long can you stay?
”
“I thought I’d go back Saturday early, if it’s all right with you. I want to get ready for finals, and it’s the big Florida-Florida State game. The sorority has a block of tickets.” Her parents reluctantly agreed. Jordan saw the disappointment on their faces. “If you have something planned, I’ll stay.”
“No,” her dad replied, “you go on back. We’ll alert the Secret Service and arrange transportation. Enjoy the football and the weekend. As a Buckeye, I can’t believe I am saying this, but ‘Go Gators.’”
“Thanks, Dad.” Jordan laughed. “If you had a car, I would even get you a bumper sticker that said ‘My daughter and money go to Florida.’”
“I think I’ll watch OSU.”
She hugged her dad, pleased she would be going back early. After all, she could see Drew on Sunday. She didn’t understand it, but the more time she spent with Drew, the more time she wanted with her. She wanted Drew’s friendship. She wanted Drew to like her. She wanted…. That’s part of the problem. I’m not sure what I want.
Chapter Seven
Drew had looked forward to her brother’s visit over Thanksgiving. For the first time since arriving in Gainesville, she was relaxed. Greg reminded her of Wyoming, and that was all that mattered. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.”
“It’s only been since August,” Greg said. He grabbed her belt. “You’re putting weight on. Good for you.” He then began the grand inquisition. “How’s school? How’s grades? Met anyone?”
“Hold on, big brother. I’ve only been here a short time. Besides, I don’t need emotional involvement right now. These city girls would never fit into ranch life, and I want to focus on finishing medical school.”
Greg laughed. “Guess I’m the renegade. Big time lawyer in a big time city.”
“Come on, Big Time Lawyer. We have plans for the weekend.”
Drew spent most of the weekend relaxing, enjoying the time with Greg, Mark, and David. Greg reminded her of her ties to Wyoming and her family. These ties were at the heart of who she was.
By Saturday, she was ready for some partying. “Greg, let’s go dancing. I know the perfect place. The Sundowner Club is a great place for country-western music and dance. And it has great steak.”
Thirty minutes later, Drew was dressed and ready to go. The swelling and pain in her foot had eased enough she was able to get her boots on. It was when dinner was served that Greg again began the questioning.
“I know how you hurt your foot, but what the hell happened to your chin?”
Drew told him about Jordan and the two accidents.
He pushed his hat back on his head. “I’ve never known you to be that uncoordinated. What’s going on with this Jordan?”
“Nothing. It was an accident.”
“Doesn’t sound like an accident. She sounds dangerous.”
“Now you sound like Mark.”
“Is she dangerous? Is she gay? Maybe she’s interested in you and that’s the only way to get your attention. Sometimes you can be dense.”
“She’s not gay. She’s not that kind of interested. And I’m not dense. She’s a good person and she’s smart.”
Greg reached over and knocked her hat off. “She may not be gay, but you certainly are quick to defend her. Come on, I need to dance some of this food off. Let’s go show these folks how it’s done.”
*
A country western bar was not a place Jordan ordinarily visited. After the football, game, however, one of her sorority sisters put on jeans and boots and mentioned taking line dancing lessons at the Sundowner. Jordan was immediately curious. She wasn’t sure what line dancing was, but anything that would help her know more about Drew’s life, she wanted to do. She had only been there ten minutes when she saw Drew walking out onto the dance floor. Jordan couldn’t believe how good Drew looked in her black jeans, white shirt, and black hat. Her movements were both fluid and sensual. Jordan couldn’t ever remember enjoying watching anyone as much. Or being as moved.
The guy she was dancing with was attractive and a good dancer. For a brief moment, she was jealous. The instant that thought came up, she was disturbed. It’s unnatural. She’s just a friend.
There were so many things about Drew that she found intriguing and distressing. Drew was smart, funny, attractive, and one of the most interesting people she knew. Yet, she was living with a man she was not married to. Jordan was well aware that most of her classmates were sexually active. Her parents, however, had brought her up to wait until marriage. Drew obviously didn’t feel that way. Was she promiscuous? Did she even have standards? Jordan’s family values and her feelings for Drew were in conflict. Why was it then, that she found Drew so…interesting?
She watched from her dark corner as Drew danced. When the dance ended, Drew was laughing and hugging the guy. Jordan needed to get out of there. Too many feelings were creating confusion.
“Please, let’s go,” she said to her Special Agent in Charge. She couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Chapter Eight
December
When Drew and Mark returned to their apartment Sunday night, the light was blinking on their answering machine. “I’ll get it,” Mark offered. “Could be my honey.” A few minutes later, he came out. “Jordan called at four, five, six, seven, and eight. Please call. Girlfriend, she is either a dedicated student or has the hots for you. Do you think she’s gay?”
“Don’t know, don’t care, but doubt it.”
“Does she know that you are?”
Drew glared at him. “Don’t know, don’t care, but doubt it. Why should it make any difference?”
“How do you feel about her?”
“She is a bright student who probably would do okay without me tutoring. She feels she needs me.”
“You didn’t answer my question? Do you like her?”
Did she like her? Of course she liked her. What was not to like? She was attractive, intelligent, easygoing. “I like her as a person. She’s actually easy to like. For a straight girl.” Drew laughed. “I’ll call her in the morning.”
*
Jordan was frustrated. She had repeatedly called Drew to set up a time to study and not gotten a call back. It was now six o’clock. “Why isn’t she returning my calls?” The answer that haunted her was the tall, handsome man Drew was dancing with. Why should she care who Drew lived or danced with? Jordan needed a distraction. She invited several friends over, an uncommon event. Her invitations were quickly accepted. Most conversations focused on politics, Republican politics. This was familiar and it kept her from wondering what Drew was doing. To her chagrin, these friends showed up again on Monday and Tuesday. Well, the semester is almost over.
*
Drew arrived promptly on Tuesday. An unusually large number of cars were parked in the drive and around the house. The noise level inside was intolerable even for Drew. Music was playing somewhere, and people were wandering around almost every room except the kitchen. She wondered how they would get any studying done. Drew sat at the table and waited for Jordan to join her. Jordan wandered in, promising to be “right back.”
Drew nodded and opened up the books. She looked at the chemistry syllabus and realized there were not too many classes left. Laughter distracted her. Jordan stuck her head in and again promised to be right back.
“There’s pop and milk in the fridge.”
Drew grabbed a bottle of water and sat back down. She looked at her watch. She had been there fifteen minutes and no studying. Next time Jordan came in, she would pin her down about plans for the evening. Another ten minutes went by, and Drew was now furious. She packed her notes and books and left. She couldn’t remember anyone treating her so rudely.
*
When Jordan next returned to the kitchen, Drew was gone. “Where is she?” she asked.
“Jordan, were you asking something?” a sorority sister asked.
“I was looking for my tutor.” She walked around the house and couldn’t find
Drew. Jordan finally looked out front and found the Explorer gone. A member of her guard detail informed her that Drew had left moments ago. Only then did she realize there would be no studying that evening. She’d underestimated Drew. Again. Now what was she to do? She looked around at the people in her house and felt very alone. She went up to one of her security detail and asked them to send everyone home. Why hadn’t she told them to go home when they first started arriving?
Jordan knew the answer. She didn’t like conflict. True. But for the first time in her life, she wasn’t sure who she was. Her life, her activities, even her so-called friends were all dictated by her parents and their expectations. She was the good little girl. Her life was planned and circumscribed. Knowing Drew had created instability in her everyday life. Every time Jordan had walked in to sit down and study, she felt nervous and uncomfortable. She didn’t know what to say to Drew or how to act. So she retreated until she could gain some measure of calm. What was going on?
*
Drew was furious by the time she got back to her apartment. She threw her books on the table and grabbed a cold soda out of the fridge. “What a bitch! Inconsiderate, rude bitch!”
“Sounds like things didn’t go well with Jordan?”
She glared at him then tilted her head to the side. “No, things went quite well. Let’s see.” She looked at her watch. “I raced over there at quarter of seven, without dinner. Took several minutes to find a parking place because there seemed to be an expensive foreign car convention on the front lawn, then I walked into a meeting of every young Republican in Gainesville, probably the drivers of all the foreign and expensive cars, and Jordan was playing host to the gang gathered there. I finally sat down at five minutes after seven. At seven minutes after seven, she stepped in to tell me she would be right back. She again stopped in at twelve minutes after the hour and fifteen minutes after the hour.”