by Harte, C. J.
Marcia Hamilton was standing at the front door as the cars pulled up. Jordan took a deep breath. Being in Drew’s life included the entire Hamilton clan.
“Let me talk to my mom.” Drew jumped out of the pickup.
Jordan met her at the front of the vehicle. “Thank you, but I need to do this. I want them to know this is my decision.” Drew nodded and went back to get Jordan’s things. She walked up the stairs. “Good morning, Mrs. Hamilton.” She hoped she sounded braver than she felt.
“Good morning, Jordan. I’m surprised to see you here.” Her arms were crossed and her expression was not friendly. “I now understand what Drew’s sudden emergency was. Why are you here?”
“I’m sorry for the deception. It was my fault. I asked Drew not to say anything.”
“You still haven’t told me why you’re here.”
Jordan wondered if she had made a mistake. So far, nothing had gone the way she had hoped, except Drew had met her in Dubois. “I’m here because I love your daughter and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. If she will have me.” She felt Drew’s hand on the small of her back. Maybe there was some hope.
Drew’s mother put her arms down by her side. “Around here,” she said, her voice firm, “we give second chances. I don’t want to see my daughter hurt again. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jordan sighed when Drew’s mother opened the door.
“Go ahead and take her stuff upstairs and we’ll make some room.” Drew’s mother held the door as Jordan and Drew walked in.
At the top of the stairs, Drew stopped and allowed Jordan to walk past her. “Where do you want me to put your stuff? We have two empty bedrooms.”
Jordan was confused. “Where are you sleeping?”
“In my room, but last time you were here you were uncomfortable with sleeping with me.”
Jordan put her hand on Drew’s arm. “I’ve never been uncomfortable with sleeping with you. I’ve been uncomfortable with me.” She opened the door to Drew’s bedroom. “Can you set them in here? If it’s okay with you?”
Drew sat Jordan’s luggage on the bed. She took a deep breath. “We need to talk. I never stopped loving you, but I must admit I have some trust problems right now. I need some time, too. Can we take things slowly?”
“I will do whatever it takes. For as long as it takes, unless you tell me to go.”
“I may never tell you to go.”
“Never?” Jordan shook her head and reached for Drew’s hand. “I’m not sure that’s long enough. I’ve never met anyone like you and I think I want more than forever.” She reached for Drew’s other hand, turning her so that Jordan could look into her eyes. “You were right at Christmas. I was hiding. I was hiding from myself. I’m not hiding anymore because hiding means not having you in my life. So, damn it, get over it.”
Drew’s eyes were wide. “You’re swearing has gotten worse.” She stroked the side of Jordan’s cheek and reached for her hand. “Jordan, I don’t understand the last six months. What happened to we were going to figure things out?”
Jordan turned away as she thought about what her father might be saying to Mattie.
“What’s the matter?”
Jordan was gripping Drew’s hand so tight it was turning white. Her tongue played along the corner of her mouth.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Is it this hard for everybody? Coming out?”
Drew pulled Jordan close. “Not always.”
“Mattie is talking to my parents now. Whatever my parents may think is not important, but what you think is. The last six months have been the loneliest and most miserable of my life. I don’t ever want to be without you again.”
“Just for the record, I want you to know your father’s threats didn’t scare me nearly as much as you refusing to talk to me or see me. I could have taken care of both of us.”
“That’s part of the problem. I needed to learn to take care of myself. Will you ever forgive me?”
“I love you and will forgive you, in time. I need to know you aren’t going anywhere first.”
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to convince you. Is your father around? I guess I need to see him.”
“Sooner or later, we will have to deal with your father. I guess we will deal with my own family first. Let’s go downstairs.” She looked at her watch and smiled. “By the way, thank you for the graduation present. I’m not sure how I feel about the GPS, but at least it brought you to me.” She stroked the watch. “Good luck piece. Unfortunately, I don’t have one for you. Besides, I wasn’t sure how to get one to you.”
*
“That’s okay. You’re my best present.” She leaned over and kissed Drew. She had dreamed of this moment for months and now she was savoring the taste and the warmth. The groan that slipped out from Drew’s mouth tingled between her legs. She wanted Drew as much now as she had that first night. She wasn’t surprised when Drew pulled back.
“Jordan, let’s slow down. Let’s go downstairs. We need to get some things taken care of.” Drew grabbed her hand and led her down to the kitchen.
Drew’s mother was standing in front of the sink staring out at the bunkhouse. She didn’t bother to turn around. “I’ve already warned Jordan that she will have the entire clan to deal with if she doesn’t behave.” She paused but only briefly. “Do they have anything to wear but suits, because it’s going to get hot.” She finally turned around to face Drew and Jordan. “Why don’t you two help those Easterners get settled? And, Jordan, I hope you’re planning to stay because I don’t think Drew is planning on moving again.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
*
The next two days were difficult. Jordan’s family was furious. Her father ordered her to get back to Jackson. She refused. He told her he was sending a helicopter to get her. She told him she’d refuse to get on it. If he tried to force her, she would make sure there was media around. He threatened to have her security bring her back. She reminded her father that they were guests on private property. Then her mother called.
“Jordan, what’s happened to you? Your father called frantic because you had disappeared. Then he finds out you are with…with that person. And you have refused to come to your senses. Is she holding you against your will? That’s the only explanation I have.”
“No, Mom. I’m here because I want to be.”
“She must have some kind of power over you. You’ve never disobeyed your parents like this.”
“Mom, I love Drew. The only power we have over each other is our love. You told me that one day I would find someone I would love and would want to settle down with. Well, I have.” Jordan was struggling. Her father had used anger. Her mother was using guilt. She didn’t know which was worse.
“Jordan, you know we love you. We realize this has been a difficult time. Come home. We’ll get some help for you. I’ll even come out there and get you.”
“Mom, there’s nothing wrong with me.”
“You’re young. You can get over this. We just need to get you here and get some help for you. And we need to do it quickly. The next two months are critical for his campaign. You need to be here with us. Now, let me come get you or leave with your Secret Service team. I can be there later today. You need to come home.”
“I am home.” Jordan hung up in tears. She couldn’t believe her mother tried to make her feel guilty for her father’s political future.
Drew pulled Jordan into her arms. “Guess it didn’t go well?”
Jordan couldn’t answer. She was too upset. Drew just held her until she could talk. “I don’t think my parents will ever accept who I am or the two of us as a couple.”
“Do you think your parents love you?”
“I used to think so, but I don’t know anymore.”
“Jordan, when you stopped talking to me, I felt the same way. There was part of me that wanted to just walk away and another part that wanted to believe that, sooner or later, our love for
each other would bring us back together. Maybe we just need to give them time. Remember what you engraved on my watch?”
“Always believe.”
“Love brought you back to me. Now it’s your turn to believe.”
Chapter Twenty-nine
Drew’s love gave her courage. The daily onslaught of phone calls and threats she could handle. Now, however, her father was determined to pick her up after the economic summit and bring her back to Washington. She refused. He then insisted that she meet him at the air force base in Cheyenne. Again, Jordan refused.
“Jordan, sooner or later, you are going to have to talk to your parents.” Drew was rubbing the back of her hand. “You love your parents, and right now they are upset. If you don’t try to work things out, you may always regret it.”
“I know. I’m afraid my father may try to force me to go back.”
“Have him come out here. There’s no way he can do anything on my ranch.” Drew’s father had walked up behind then. “Sorry, didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but dinner’s ready.
Jordan called her father and told him she would meet him but he needed to come out to the Hamilton ranch north of Cheyenne.
“I wouldn’t step a foot on that man’s property.” Her father was angry. “Young lady, you better be in Cheyenne when I get there. I expect to see you there.”
“Then you will be disappointed. You can meet me here or you can fly back to Washington.” Why is loving someone so difficult? “I love you and Mom, but I am staying here.”
“Damn it, Jordan, you’ve never been obstinate before.” Silence on the line. “All right. Are you sure this is okay with what’s her name’s family?”
Jordan shook her head. How would this ever work? “Her name is Drew, Dad, and her family already offered for you to come visit.”
“Fine! I’ll arrange with security, but you better be ready to explain yourself.”
The end of the week arrived too soon. Jordan prayed that, whatever her father said, she could survive this meeting. She had made her decision and now she might have to have consequences. She was not leaving Drew. Ever.
A fleet of black SUVs came flying up the road. She felt Drew’s hand on her back offering support. Drew’s parents and younger brother stood on either side of them. “I’m fine,” Jordan said. She hoped she sounded surer than she felt. The vehicles stopped, and soon her father was stepping out.
“Chuck.” Her father nodded at Drew’s father. “Mrs. Hamilton. I need to speak to my daughter privately.”
“Harry, you are here because Jordan wanted you to visit. This is our ranch.” Charles Hamilton’s voice was as unyielding as her own father’s. “This is her show.” He hooked his thumbs in the side pockets of his jeans. Jordan wanted to hug him.
Jordan needed to take control of this. “Father, I don’t mind talking to you privately, if you want to take a walk. I am not getting in the car with you and I am not leaving here without Drew.”
Her father was fuming, but he nodded. Jordan squeezed Drew’s hand and then walked out toward the pasture with her father.
“What has gotten into you, Jordan? You were brought up to be God-fearing. You’ve never done anything like this. I have to believe she’s done something to you.”
“You’re wrong. The only thing Drew has done is love me and trust me, even when I probably didn’t always deserve it.”
“We didn’t bring you up for this…this kind of life. You were brought up to know better.”
“Dad, this is part of who I am. The part of me that has changed is that I now know why I’ve always felt different.”
“You come home with me.” Her father’s voice had softened. “We’ll get some help for you. I’m sure you’ve been under a lot of stress at school.”
He put his arm around her, but Jordan stopped walking and turned to face her father. “I am home. You and Mom have always told me that one day I would fall in love and I would know it in my heart. I’m with the person that I love and want to spend the rest of my life with her. I love you and I love Mom and I love Drew. If you make me choose, I choose Drew.”
“You really love her that much?”
“Absolutely. I can’t imagine my life without her.”
“What kind of power does she have over you?”
Jordan laughed. “Dad, I’m the one that chased her. She kept thinking of me and my reputation and what my parents would think.”
“Shows she has more sense than you are showing. It’s obvious you’re not thinking what this is doing to your mother, to me.”
His words were stab wounds to her already fragile heart. She wiped tears and stood straighter. “I am not doing this to hurt you or Mom. This is not about you. I’m doing this because I love Drew Hamilton and cannot and will not live without her. She’s told me to have faith that you both still love me. I do. And I’m not willing to give up on you. Drew’s helped me to find my faith and give me strength. She just wants me to be happy.”
“She must love you, then.” Her father scratched his head and stared out at the horizon. “Jordan, I don’t understand, but your mom and I don’t want to lose you, either. Are you sure this isn’t just a phase or something you are going through?”
Jordan smiled, thinking about Drew. “Absolutely. I love her. I can’t imagine a day going by without her in it.”
“Is this something your mother and I did?”
“No, Dad, this is who I am. Who I have always been.”
Her father touched the side of Jordan’s face. “Honey, I don’t understand, but I can see you do love her. Guess I’m just going to have to figure out how to deal with that. Jordan, I’m not happy with your decision, but this is your decision.” Jordan nodded. “Your Drew is a smart one. We do love you. We just don’t understand. Don’t give up on us yet.”
“Trust me, I understand. It took me a while to understand, but I’ve never been happier. I love Drew and I am blessed that she loves me.” Jordan took her father’s hand and they walked back to the ranch house where all the Hamiltons were still standing. Drew had a questioning look. Jordan smiled and stood beside her.
“Mr. President,” Drew said, “it’s getting late. Would you like to stay and have dinner with us?”
“Please, Dad?”
Marcia Hamilton nudged her husband and Jordan looked away so she wouldn’t be seen grinning. “Harry, we would like you to be our guest. We assure you we have enough food for the entire crew.”
Assured he was welcome, her father agreed to stay for dinner and overnight at the ranch. Much to Jordan’s surprise, he even went riding in the morning with Drew and her family. When he got ready to leave, he promised to come back.
“Drew, it’s obvious you care very much for my daughter.” He shook her hand. “Take care of her.”
“Yes, sir. You can count on it.”
Her father then turned and said good-bye to the remainder of the Hamiltons. He hugged Jordan. “Honey, we do love you. Drew does seem like a good person. Give us some time to get to know her.”
“Yes, sir! And will you come back?”
Her father chuckled. “Let’s get used to all this first.”
“Don’t take too long because Drew and I want to get married next year.” Her father’s eyes grew wide. “After all, you stressed how important the family is.”
Her father looked at Jordan, then at Drew. “What is it you young people say? Too much information.”
Jordan hugged her father again. “I love you.”
“Jordan, I still don’t understand, but I have to say I’m proud of you. You’ve grown up. You are now your own person.” He hugged Jordan one more time and got into his vehicle.
Jordan leaned against Drew. She had hope.
Epilogue
October
“What am I going to wear?” Drew asked. She was staring at the invitation to Jordan’s brother’s wedding. “I need to ask for the time off.”
“Will that be a problem?” Jordan asked.
“Not when
I tell them where I’ll be going. I can’t believe we got an invitation to the wedding.”
“My family is trying.”
“Honey, I know. I can’t believe they even sent me a birthday present. Can you believe my dad asked your dad to go hunting with him? And, my parents were really surprised they were included in the invitation,” Drew said.
“That’s because my parents want to spend time with yours. You know, doing the in-law thing.”
“I’m not so sure I want our parents doing the in-law thing, yet. This is still too weird.”
*
Drew laughed. Jordan had spent thirty minutes trying to decide on shoes while both their mothers were having drinks in the penthouse suite. Weirdness was becoming the new normal.
“Time to go,” Jordan said. “You look very handsome.”
“Thank you. I’ve never had a custom-made suit before.” She continued to turn and look in the mirror. The navy blue silk suit was much too expensive. Jordan’s mother insisted on having it made. “The jacket’s kind of short, but I can always wear it to work parties. Or to take you out.”
Drew turned to see Jordan in her royal blue velvet bride’s maid dress. She was part of her brother’s wedding. “You are gorgeous. That color blue makes your eyes seem bluer. I still can’t believe I’m going to be sitting with your family during your brother’s wedding.”
Jordan walked into her arms. “Maybe we can finally start planning our own wedding. We may have to wait a little while. Just to give my parents time to adjust.”
“And stop trying to end marriage equality?”
“That, too. I still think we can get married in the spring.” She smoothed the collar on Drew’s jacket. “Thank you for being here with me.” She kissed Drew. “Time to get into the church.”
Drew walked into the church with her parents. They were seated in the third row, two rows behind the pew set aside for the President and the First Lady. The church was packed. Her parents were looking around and discussing the luminaries present, including Wyoming politicians. Drew didn’t care. She only had eyes for Jordan. She wasn’t sure where, or when, but she was more determined than ever to marry Jordan.