Falling Star

by Laura DeLuca

  To cap off his adventure, Drew took on his fear of heights all alone and scaled the giant traditional lighthouse guarding the entrance to the park. He was happy to have an hour to explore all the conservatory had to offer, but he made sure to be back by the gate outside the lighthouse, where Lainey had said to meet her, at four-thirty on the dot. Up ahead there was a line of tractors, each hauling a cart overflowing with haystacks, waiting to load up their passengers. Already a long line of excited children bounced up and down and squealed with anticipation as the engines rumbled to life.

  “Glad you could join us.”

  Drew turned at the sound of a voice that was familiar, but definitely didn’t belong to Lainey. He found Erin standing behind him. Like him, Erin wore dark designer sunglasses that made it hard to read her expression, but there was a smile curling the edges of her lips. A small boy with a mass of thick blonde curls was attached to her hip, eyeing up Drew bashfully.

  “Erin.” Drew nodded politely, offering a small grin of his own. “And I’m guessing this is your son ... Nate?”

  “Good memory,” Erin acknowledged, impressed. “If you haven’t guessed already, Nate and I are the couple you’ll be double dating with this evening.” She made quotation marks with her fingers. “Don’t worry. Lainey will be along any minute now. She texted me and said she had to park a few blocks over since the lot was already full. We got lucky and found something a little closer.”

  Having guessed as much, Drew turned his attention to Nate. The boy kept peeking at him from behind Erin’s leg. “I heard you’re playing soccer. Score any goals at the big game on Saturday?”

  Nate’s face lit up at the unexpected attention. “Yep! I scored twice, but I’m still not sure who won. They don’t keep track of the goals anymore.”

  “Really?” Drew turned to Erin for confirmation. “Things must’ve changed a lot since I was a kid.”

  “They want them to learn good sportsmanship instead of trying to outdo each other,” Erin explained. “Personally, I think it’s to keep the overzealous parents from killing each other because the kids get along fine.”

  “Overzealous parents?” Lainey came up behind them on the tail end of the conversation. “Am I going to have to fight someone for my seat on the hayride? Because I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. This is a tradition.”

  “Aunt Lainey!”

  Drew was instantly forgotten when Lainey stepped up to greet them. Nate let go of his mother’s hand and ran over to her. Lainey bent down to his level and wrapped him in a giant bear hug, tousling his hair even as she squeezed him. Drew’s smile also grew by massive proportions at her arrival. He looked her over, loving how she managed to appear both sexy yet professional in her tan leggings and knee-length brown sweater. The sensible attire was the perfect choice for a hayride since the embroidery on her skirts would most likely get snagged on the pointy hay. He didn’t imagine it would be very comfortable getting jabbed in the unmentionables either.

  “Drew was asking Nate about his soccer game,” Erin informed her friend. She put her glasses in her handbag, just so a sly look could pass between them. Drew could almost hear the metal checklist being ticked off.

  Good with kids. Check.

  Lainey beamed at Drew as she stood on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I know this might seem a bit childish, but trust me when I tell you, it’s a great way to see some of the local sights. I do it every year.”

  “And she drags us along for cover so people don’t think she’s a kidnapper.” Erin shrugged. “Not that Nate minds. Any excuse to hang out with Aunt Lainey.”

  As if to prove Erin’s point, Nate grabbed Lainey’s hand. Drew didn’t mind sharing. In fact, he was checking off a list of his own. It would take an extra special woman to deal with his often hectic work schedule and still raise a close-knit family. Somehow Drew believed Lainey would be able to manage the challenges beautifully. He already knew for a fact that they made a great team.

  “You haven’t steered me wrong yet,” Drew admitted once they reached the back of the line for the tractor. “And I’m always up for a roll in the hay.” The later he whispered in her ear as he pressed the flowers he’d gathered into her hand, causing a blush to rise to her cheeks and a smile to crinkle the skin around her eyes.

  Erin, who may or may not have heard his pun, pressed her lips into a knowing smile. “Wow, Lainey. Really got this one whipped, don’t you?”

  Again the girl look, this time with an eyebrow raise that signaled secret questions were being conveyed and answered telepathically. Drew wondered how much Erin had heard about their weekend together, and hoped it was all good things.

  “We’re up already,” Lainey announced.

  Drew glanced toward the wagon, surprised to see the line had moved so quickly, but the carts did hold around fifty people and there were five of them circling the conservatory. The staff packed them pretty tight, but Drew’s gang was fortunate enough to get first dibs and scored seats at the very front of the wagon. Having been raised a gentleman, Drew offered his hand to help both the ladies and even hefted Nate up the ramp. Slightly over exuberant, the boy bolted down the cart without paying attention to where he was going. He would’ve kept running with disastrous results if Lainey hadn’t called out a warning.

  “Nate! Stop!”

  The little boy skidded to a halt and turned to Lainey with a questioning expression. Taking a tentative step in front of him, Lainey bent down and scooped something small up into her hand. It wasn’t until they all took their seats that Drew saw the butterfly she’d saved from being trampled resting peacefully in the palm of her hand.

  “How’d you pick it up like that?” Nate asked with his mouth ajar. “And why don’t it fly away?”

  Drew wondered the exact same thing. The two guys occupied the bench on either side of Lainey as she raised the insect so everyone could admire it. With her free hand, she laid the bouquet Drew had given her in her lap. The Monarch butterfly, as regal as its name implied, batted its wings, each splattered in shades of orange and black. Even when Lainey adjusted in her seat, the butterfly stayed on her hand, spreading its majestic wings in a gentle fanning motion and crawling up her arm without fear. Small legs carried the fuzzy black body dotted with white spots along as though her skin were so sweet the butterfly had mistaken her for a flower.

  “Creatures in nature can sense when people mean them no harm,” Lainey explained. “As long as you don’t try to possess something that longs to be free, they may be willing to share some of their magic with you.”

  Erin sidled up closer, nodding her agreement. “You know, Nate, butterflies are one of the magical creatures that can cross freely between the veils to the fairy world. If you whisper your wishes to him, they may come true.”

  Nate, green eyes wide with wonder, took his mother’s advice and cupped his hand over his lips so he could whisper his secret wish to the butterfly. Afterward Erin and Lainey took turns doing the same, both speaking so low Drew was unable to hear. By this point, the whole cartload of riders studied them with a curious eye, perhaps longing to catch a sprinkle of the enchantment Lainey and her friend emanated so beautifully.

  “Do you have any wishes for the fairies?”

  Lainey lifted the Monarch so close to Drew, its wings practically brushed against his nose. He swore the bug tilted its head to study him. Nate also watched him expectantly. Though Drew had never once pondered the existence of fairies, he didn’t want to ruin the spell the women had woven for the boy, so he followed their example. Placing his lips as close as he dared to one spotted wing, he whispered so softly only Lainey could hear.

  “I wish my time with Lainey never had to end—that we’ll find a way to make this last forever.”

  Blushing, Lainey cleared her throat. “Well, I think it’s time now for you to fly free, little fellow. Go and carry our wishes away to the land of the fae.”

  As if it comprehended her every word, the butterfly chose that very moment to flap its win
gs harder and soar off into the cloudless sky above. Of course, it may have also been the jolt of the tractor as it roared to life that startled the insect, but in any event, more than one hopeful dreamer watched until the Monarch had disappeared into a patch of trees off in the distance.

  “Here we go everyone,” announced the driver. “Hold on tight and please keep your arms and legs inside the wagon at all times.”

  That announcement was followed by another rough shock as the hayride set out on its bumpy path. A section of the back roads had been cleared of traffic to allow the tractors full range of the road, so the riders found themselves on what felt like a mostly deserted island. On one side were marshes overrun with cattails and reeds while the other side was dominated by huge mansions. These weren’t the dollhouse style homes found in the heart of Cape May, but they still held a majestic splendor as their large windows stood like giant glass sentinels surveying the surrounding water. Most of the homes were vacant or closed up for the winter, but in a few spots families waved from their porches, cheering them on as they passed by. Eventually the tractor turned away from the marshland and headed down toward the southernmost point where a large watchtower still remained from the Great War.

  “See that ship?” Lainey pointed out the ship’s stern which was sticking out of the water. Based on the extensive decay and green seaweed that clung to it, it had been there for quite some time.

  “Yeah, I can see the tip of it.” Drew shielded his eyes to block the glare of the soon-to-be setting sun.

  “That’s the cement ship. It was a new style the military was testing during World War I. When they didn’t work out, this one was sent here to be docked at the ferry station, but it broke loose during a big storm and sunk. It was so heavy, it was impossible to salvage. Today it’s one of Cape May Point’s most popular attractions.” She giggled. “It’s also a popular make-out spot for local teenagers in the off season.”

  Drew certainly wouldn’t have minded taking Lainey back there later for a little make-out session of their own, but at the moment he was still enjoying the scenery, even with the screaming toddler sitting a few paces away. One street in particular caught Drew’s attention because it was directly across from a small stretch of sand too small for tourists to wander into. The colonial style homes were set back off the main road and offered more privacy than many of the other properties he’d seen.

  “It’s really awesome back here,” Drew mentioned. “Some great real estate.”

  “For sure,” Lainey agreed as they clanked along. “Even though I suppose I’ll always be a Wildwood girl, Cape May Point is my favorite town in all of Cape May County. It has a great beach but it still has trees and big backyards. The buildings are all unique, not the townhouses and condos that are a dime a dozen in Wildwood. And ... see that one there?”

  Drew squinted to get a better view of the property Lainey gestured too. At first, only the high widow’s walk and the large wraparound porch were visible through the thick shrubbery. But when they turned the corner the three-story brick abode came into clearer view. The place had a charming stone driveway with a matching fence that wrapped the length of the yard, the entrance of which was guarded over by two roaring stone lions. There was even a wooden swing tucked away in one corner of the porch. The roof could use some work and the landscaping was in dire need of a trimming, but it was easy to see beyond those small flaws with some imagination. The house had amazing potential.

  “This is my dream home,” Lainey confided. “It’s been on the market since the economy plummeted a few years back. It wound up in foreclosure like so many others and fell into disrepair.” She sighed. “I know it needs some work, but I think it would be such a great house to live in. Of course, unless I become a bestseller someday, I’ll never be able to afford it. I can barely keep up on the taxes with my condo.”

  “Not that shack again,” Erin complained, eavesdropping on the conversation. “You know that place is an insurance underwriter’s nightmare. It has pretty much every hazard we avoid—cracked sidewalks, knob and tube wiring, in ground oil tanks. I bet it has led paint and asbestos too.”

  Lainey snickered. “Then I guess once I win the lottery I’ll have to call in some favors to get decent coverage.”

  “I think it’s pretty awesome,” Drew agreed. “And all those little problems would be easy enough to take care of.”

  Erin shook her head. “This guy is perfect for you, Lainey. Another dreamer. It would cost more money to repair that place than the asking price. If they ever do sell it, it’s gonna get torn down so they can build more townhouses.”

  The idea of the house being destroyed made Lainey sad, but what she didn’t know was that for him, money was no object. He’d already been tossing around the idea of investing in some new real estate in the area. Whatever the asking price, Drew was sure he could swing it and make the repairs without so much as a dent in his bank account. It was so easy to visualize Lainey out in that big garden, planting mums in the fall or maybe daffodils in the spring. The old colonial was perfect for a family. Not so big that the empty rooms rattled with ghosts in the night, like his mansion in L.A., but large enough that there would be plenty of space to spread out. So as Lainey studied her favorite house with a whimsical sigh, Drew made sure to memorize the name of the local realtor on the For Sale sign. After all their talk about making wishes come true, Drew had a real chance to fulfill one of Lainey’s dreams, and he resolved to make it happen sooner rather than later.

  “Whoa!” The sound of the driver distracted Drew from his planning. “Watch your heads now. Got some low lying branches up ahead.”

  Everyone in the cart slipped slightly to the right as the tractor took a sharp turn to try to avoid brushing against the foliage. The road they were on couldn’t have been used often. The street was made more of gravel than cement. As they rode across the uneven terrain, Drew’s teeth clanged and his butt bounced against the haystack as though he were on horseback. Ignoring the slight discomfort, he kept his attention on the scenery. The thickets surrounding them, almost untouched by human hands, were a spectacular sight to behold as the trees unfolded in hues of golden amber. One patch of branches in particular had leaves a deep shade of red-orange that fluttered in the gentle breeze. Their vibrant colors were deeper than their neighbors, as though they wanted to be the first to show off their fall plumage. It wasn’t until the twigs brushed against the heads of the passengers, that Drew realized they weren’t leaves at all.

  “Wow!”

  “Oh my!”

  “Look at that!”

  Startled but delighted voices erupted all around them as the leaves slipped free of their perch and sprang to life. Instead of floating lifelessly to the ground, they fluttered higher into the sky. One hundred or more Monarch butterflies moved as one entity into the patch of woods beyond. Some glided so close their wings tickled the skin on his arm. Not one person on the hayride, not even the smallest of the children or the surprised tractor driver, uttered a single syllable until the last of the Monarchs fluttered over the horizon, resplendent against the setting sun.

  “That was really something,” Drew whispered once a semblance of normalcy had returned. “Do those butterflies always travel in flocks like that?”

  “I’ve read about them being in large groups when they arrive in Mexico after the migration,” Erin told them. “But I’ve never seen more than two or three together at one time around here.”

  “What does it mean, Aunt Lainey?” Nate asked.

  Lainey smiled, first at the little boy before turning her ravishing grin to Drew. “I think it means all our wishes are about to come true.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Lainey floated through the first few weeks of October. As the foliage turned to deeper shades of rustic red and orange, so her feelings deepened. By the time the branches stood bare, she’d fallen harder than any of the leaves. The thought he’ll be leaving soon always fluttered in the back of her mind. Thankfully, Drew was able
to get an extended leave of absence and had no plans to head back to Los Angeles full time until at least after the holidays. Lainey decided to let go of her worries and allow her heart to guide her. If she and Drew were meant to be, the universe would provide the means. If not, Sharon had taught her even the briefest meetings had significance and played out the way they did for a reason.

  Lainey still clung to every precious moment she was able to steal with Drew. The last thing she wanted was to fly to Boston for an insurance conference, but when Nate came down with the flu, Lainey didn’t think twice before offering to take Erin’s place. Normally she would’ve enjoyed the four-day romp in the city, but she missed her evening rendezvous with Drew. She was never happier than the moment her return flight touched down in Philly. Even the occasional phone calls she was able to sneak in between meetings wasn’t enough to appease her addiction. She considered banging on Drew’s door that evening, but she still had a two-hour drive ahead of her. She didn’t crawl into bed until two o’clock. Since she had to get up and report to her post early the next day, she decided Drew could wait. She needed to get at least a few hours sleep if she was going to have any chance of making it through the workday.

  “Four hours definitely isn’t enough,” Lainey mumbled as she steered down the parkway on Monday morning. “I deserve a raise for this.”

  She guzzled the hazelnut coffee she’d grabbed from the convenience store on her way out of Wildwood. She didn’t even care that the steaming liquid burned her throat going down. She needed the caffeine jolt, apparently more than she realized. When she arrived at the office, an hour later than usual at her boss’s insistence, she was met with pandemonium as she breezed through the door.